JV pushes hike in subsistence allowance for cops, coast guard, fire personnel

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito has secured a significant boost in the daily subsistence allowance for the country’s uniformed personnel, doubling the current rate from P150 to P350.

The proposed adjustment was incorporated into the recommendations of the subcommittee chaired by Ejercito and was formally adopted in the latest Senate Committee Report on the 2026 national budget.

The increase is expected to benefit around 330,000 personnel across major public safety agencies.

Ejercito, who also serves as Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the previous rate was no longer enough to cover basic daily meals, especially amid rising living costs.

“Nakita natin na kulang at pilit lang nilang pinagkakasya ang allowance para sa pangkain kada araw. Napakaliit talaga kumpara sa sakripisyo at serbisyo nila sa pagprotekta sa atin (We have seen that their daily food allowance is insufficient and that they are forced to stretch it just to get by. It’s really very small compared to the sacrifice and service they give in protecting us),” he said.

“This increase will not only help our uniformed personnel meet daily needs, but also boost morale and professionalize our public safety workforce,” he added.

The subsistence allowance hike forms part of a P23-billion proposal that allocates P16.05 billion for the Philippine National Police (PNP), P2.76 billion each for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), P1.81 billion for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and P14.6 million for the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC).

Ejercito stressed that these agencies perform hazardous duties daily while receiving modest benefits. He cited, in particular, the Philippine Coast Guard, whose personnel regularly patrol contested waters and respond to maritime threats.

“Marami sa kanila ang nagtatrabaho sa high-risk conditions pero kulang sa benepisyo at social protection na nararapat sa kanila (Many of them work in high-risk conditions but lack the benefits and social protection they rightfully deserve),” he said

“Sana makatulong ito sa kanila at sa kanilang pamilya (I hope this will help them and their families).”

Alongside the allowance increase, Ejercito announced the approval of funding for the construction of 65 new fire stations and the procurement of 65 fire trucks for the BFP.

He said the move would help local governments meet long-standing infrastructure and equipment needs.

Ejercito thanked Senator Win Gatchalian, chairperson of the Committee on Finance, for supporting the initiative and ensuring adequate budgetary provisions within the Senate’s version of the national budget.

“This is a collective effort. I thank Senator Gatchalian for recognizing the needs of our uniformed services and helping make this adjustment possible,” he said.