2017 National Budget, P39.5 Billion Budget For Military, Police Pay Hike
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno recently stated there is a P39.5 billion budget allotted for the increased salary of the military, police, and other uniformed personnel, which is part of the proposed P3.35 trillion 2017 national budget.
In a report by Inquirer, the said budget was allotted to keep President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to the armed forces and the policemen of the country to raise their pay
Diokno said that the proposed budget for the PNP amounted to P110.4 billion, for the hiring of more personnel and the purchase of more gvns and patrol vehicles to level-up the new administration’s campaign towards criminality.
Meanwhile, the military has a proposed P130.6 billion, to fund the AFP Modernization Program, wherein P25 billion is for the better equipment of the soldiers.
A meeting with the Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) was made at the House of Representatives.
Diokno also said that he will be proposing to the Congress to pass a joint resolution to make the four tranches for the salary increase for government employees, and that includes public school teachers, as part of the salary standardization of government workers.
“Our preference is to have a joint resolution to this. Under the Constitution, you need congressional action for salary adjustment,” Diokno said as quoted by Inquirer.
The second tranche of salary increase for government workers would be included in the department and agency budgets as said by the Budget Secretary.
Diokno also noted that the executive order by the former President Benigno Aquino III to implement the first tranche salary increase based on the proposed Salary Standardization bill will be continued and to be adopted.
During the electoral campaign of now President Rodrigo Duterte, it can be remembered that he will be increasing the budget for the national police, military, and other government workers.