QUEZON CITY — The Bicameral Conference Committee on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) has successfully concluded its deliberations, approving a P6.352 trillion national budget that prioritizes the welfare of the Filipino people, including the increase of subsistence allowance for soldiers from P150 to P350 or a total of P10,500 a month.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, lauding the efforts of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, said the bicam-approved 2025 national budget ensures the country’s sustained progress under the vision of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas.”
“Napakagandang balita na nilagay po natin ang increase of our soldier’s daily subsistence allowance. We increased it from P150 to P350, that is going to be maintained and fully supported para sa ating mga sundalo,” Speaker Romualdez told reporters in an ambush interview after the bicameral conference committee meeting.
Upon the instruction of President Marcos, Speaker Romualdez proposed the inclusion of an increased subsistence allowance for soldiers in the House version.
“Kaya nagagalak po kami for the high morale of the soldiers—our men and women in uniform sa AFP—tuloy po ‘yung daily subsistence allowance increase from P150 to P350. That translates to almost P10,500 kada buwan,” Speaker Romualdez added.
“This is a big step forward in showing our full support for the men and women in uniform. It recognizes their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families who stand behind them,” Speaker Romualdez said in a separate statement.
“Ang dagdag na allowance na ito ay hindi lamang suporta sa ating mga sundalo kundi pagkilala rin sa kanilang sakripisyo para sa bayan,” he added.
House Committee on Appropriations Chairman and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co announced that the increase in soldiers’ subsistence allowance will be funded by a P16-billion allocation in next year’s national budget. (Office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez)
