PGMA works out mid-year increases in military pay
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today announced a package of benefits for the country’s close to 120,000
armed forces personnel, principally to include yearly increases in basic pay until 2010.
Soldiers will likely receive their salary increments for this year shortly after the President bows out of office in
June 30.
But she said she has already instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to try frontloading
the salary increases to ensure that soldiers receive their salary increases even earlier.
The increases in military pay, is part of the government’s salary standardization program whose implementation
started last year.
“Due to the salary standardization law which we worked for, our soldiers can look forward to yearly increases
starting this year until 2012,” the President said.
Aside from salaries, the President said her administration also doubled the benefits for soldiers killed or
wounded in action; provided more scholarships for the children of soldiers; more housing projects for the AFP;
more amenities for the uniformed men and women in the field; and more modern equipment that enhanced the
night fighting capability of the AFP.
The Chief Executive made the announcements in today’s 113th anniversary of the Philippine Army (PA) in Fort
Bonifacio, Taguig City where she was guest speaker.
The President’s appearance at the Army rites was said to be tradition-breaking as it was the first time the Chief
Executive and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces graced the annual celebration of the Army, one of the
three branches of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) along with the Philippine Navy and
Philippine Air Force.
The President said the increase in the soldiers’ salary also forms part of the modernization program to boost
the morale, professionalism and effectiveness of the AFP.
The President said the soldiers’ salaries have since doubled at the start of her administration.
In 2001, the President said an Army private was receiving only P5,500 monthly in basic pay while a private first
class (PFC) was getting P5,830. At present, the President said a Private receives P10,808 in basic pay, while a
Private First Class receives P11,513.
The new round of increases which the President wanted to give the soldiers before July, will raise a Private’s
monthly basic pay to P12,149 and P12,993 for a Private First Class.
“Let us cross our fingers that the DBM will find a solution,” the President said amid the applause of the soldiers
and the Army officer corps led by new Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu.
The President congratulated the soldiers “who have become more effective, more professional and have
achieved more victories during our last nine years together.”
The President said the whole AFP achieved much in helping the national government in pushing progress and
stability through the use of hard power and soft development tools such as in building roads, bridges and ports
especially in remote and rebel-infested areas.
The President said the soldiers again will play an important role as deputies of the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) to ensure that the people’s votes are counted and protected during the presidential elections this
year.
As it is, the President said her activities now will be focused more on national governance so as to provide a
smooth transition of power for the country’s next leader.
During the event, the President led the presentation of awards for the deserving military and civilian personnel of
the AFP, assisted by Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, new AFP Chief Gen. Delfin Bangit and Reynaldo
Mapagu.
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PGMA fetes Pacquiao in Malacañang
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo welcomed back Filipino boxing superstar and WBO Welterweight champion
Manny Pacquiao who called on her in Malacañang after arriving from the United States this morning.
Looking dapper in a light blue vest over a striped long-sleeve shirt and dark slacks, Pacquiao, who was
accompanied by his wife Jinkee, smiled and waved to photographers, members of the media, and Malacañang
employees who waited for him at the foyer of the Palace leading to the Music Room.
Upon his arrival and following the customary photo-opportunity, the President, who was accompanied by First
Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, congratulated Pacquiao for his feat.
“Congratulations! Thank you for doing our country proud,” the President told Pacquiao.
She then presented the boxing icon a three-tiered ginger-barako coffee-chocolate cake especially prepared by
Palace chefs Kristen Mae Andres and Lilibeth Biliones.
Each concentric round layer of the cake, which weighed 12 kilos and stood 11 inches tall, was colored red, blue
and white to symbolize the colors of the Philippine flag.
A replica of Pacquiao’s welterweight championship belt which has a picture of the champ on it was placed on
top of the special cake.
After the presentation, the President and Pacquiao held a closed-door meeting where the boxing champ
reportedly regaled the Chief Executive with the highlights of the fight.
Pacquiao retained his World Boxing Organization welterweight title by defeating Ghana's Joshua Clottey in
Texas last week.
In a press conference following his meeting with the President, Pacquiao said he would discuss with his family
his future plans: whether to continue boxing or hang-up his gloves.
He appealed to everyone not to “confuse” his popularity in boxing and desire for a congressional seat in his
home province of Saranggani, saying sports and politics are very different.
“Boxing has brought honor to our people and our country. It has brought about countless opportunities not only
for me and my family but for all of us as a race. My wish in joining politics, is to serve the people,” Pacquiao said.
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