Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No,_2989

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to adjust the combat duty pay and the additional combat incentive pay of
the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Under the Philippine Constitution, Article II, Section 3, it is stated that the Armed Forces
of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the
sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. Moreover, Article XVI,
Section 5, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution mandates that: “Professionalism in the armed forces
and adequate remuneration and benefits of its members shall be a prime concern of the State,
The armed forces shall be insulated from partisan politics.”

The efficiency of these frontline soldiers to achieve their mandated tasks is dependent on
several factors, which include their compensation and benefits among many others. Currently,
members of the armed forces who are assigned to directly engage in actual combat receive Php
240.00 per month as collateral pay. This amount is rather inadequate for these soldiers who are
risking their lives to preserve the internal security of our country and defend the integrity of our
national territory, the preservation of our democratic ideals and principles, and the enjoyment
of our people of their lives, liberty and property against external threats or even terroristic acts.

A recent recapitulation of the number of those members of the AFP killed-in-action and
those wounded-in-action from 2005 to 2012 shows that a total of 823 uniformed personnel were
killed-in-action while 1,416 were wounded-in-action,

_In this regard, it is but proper to reward additional compensation to the members of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines who engage in actual combat and sacrifice their lives for the
protection of our country and its people. These soldiers deserve additional incentives from the
government for their services,

Therefore, this bill shall allocate Php 1,000.00 per month combat duty pay and an
additional Php 500.00 per day combat incentive pay for the members of the Armed Forces who
are designated to engage in actual combat.

For the benefit of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I earnestly seek

the immediate passing of this bill.

REP. GLO MACAPAGAL ARROYO
2ND DISTRICT, PAMPANGA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _2989

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE GLORIA MACAPAGAL - ARROYO

“AN ACT ADJUSTING THE COLLATERAL ENTITLEMENT OF UNIFORMED
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES WHO DIRECTLY ENGAGE
IN ACTUAL COMBAT AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE DIFFERENT NATIONAL
SECURITY THREAT GROUPS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Combat Duty Pay. - Officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) performing combat duties or activities as defined in regulations issued by
the Secretary of National Defense are entitled to receive Combat Duty Pay in the amount of one
thousand pesos (P1,000.00) per month.

SECTION 2. Combat Incentive Pay. — Members of the AFP who directly engage in actual
combat against various insurgent, terrorist and lawless groups shall be entitled to an additional
‘Combat Incentive Pay of five hundred pesos (500.00) per day while actually engaged in
combat operation subject to the following conditions:

(a) The operation must be for a specific combat mission that is duly covered by an
Operations Order (OPORD) or a Fragmentary Order (FRAG-O);

(b) The personnel involved in combat engagements must be in the published task
organization of the OPORD; and,

(c) The total additional combat incentive pay for each individual shall not exceed Php
6,000.00 per OPORD/FRAG-O.

SECTION 3. Appropriations. — The initial amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be taken from the Personal Services (PS) savings realized by the AFP. Thereafter,
such sum as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 4. Authority of the President. - With the recommendation of the Secretary of
National Defense, the President is hereby authorized to adjust the combat duty pay and combat
incentive pay of the AFP on a yearly basis. The adjustments on the combat duty pay and the
combat incentive pay should have increases with a minimum of ten percent (10%) and a
maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the current entitlements.

SECTION 5. Periodic Review. - A periodic review of the combat duty pay and the combat
incentive pay of the AFP shall be conducted by the Secretary of National Defense every two (2)
years by creating professionalism exemplary performances and by taking into account the
prevailing economic realities.


SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of National Defense shall prepare and issue the necessary
rales and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7. Repealing clause, ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,

SECTION 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
ina national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,