President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved an increase in the subsistence allowance for officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), raising it from P150 to P350 per day, effective retroactively to the start of the current year.

Under Executive Order (EO) 84 signed on 14 March, the adjustment aims to address the growing needs of active duty soldiers and promote their welfare. The order recognizes the significant sacrifices made by AFP personnel in defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“This increase is crucial to ensure that the subsistence allowance adequately supports the daily sustenance of our military personnel, which is vital for their well-being and the performance of their duties,” the order states.

The last adjustment to the AFP subsistence allowance was made in 2015 under Congress Joint Resolution 5. The increase will also apply to trainees, probationary second lieutenants/ensigns undergoing training, Citizen Military Training cadets and reservists.

The funds for the raise will come from the AFP’s available appropriations under the General Appropriations Act for 2025, as well as other funding sources identified by the Department of Budget and Management.

The AFP will include the required funding in future budget proposals. The order will take effect immediately following its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Some critics, however, have suggested that the move may be an attempt to assuage the feelings of the military personnel following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte, who increased the pay of the uniformed personnel — including soldiers, police and firefighters — by 100 percent during his administration has wide support within the uniformed services.

The former president, who with his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte, had been exchanging heated words with President Marcos, was arrested on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Duterte was extradited to The Hague to face the International Criminal Court over allegations he committed crimes against humanity in his campaign against illegal drugs as mayor of Davao City and later as president.