By GENALYN D. KABILING
Soldiers, policemen, firefighters and jail guards will enjoy a higher base pay starting this year based on Joint Resolution No. 1 signed by President Duterte.
The modified compensation package covers all military personnel of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the uniformed personnel of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).
“There is a need to adjust the compensation package of MUP (military and uniformed personnel) in order to make it more commensurate to their critical role in maintaining national security and peace and order,” the resolution read.
It also took into consideration the MUP’s “exposure to high-risk environments in the performance of their duties.”
Under the resolution signed by the President last January 1, the modified base pay schedule for the MUP will be implemented in two years.
A Police Officer 1 (PO1) and those with equivalent rank would enjoy a 100 percent increase resulting to a monthly base pay of P29,668.
The resolution also allows a second tranche base-pay increase for Senior PO4 to Director General and equivalent ranks starting January 1, 2019. A senior PO4 and those with equivalent rank will have a monthly base pay of P38,366 while a Director General and those with equivalent rank will earn P149,785 by next year.
The Department of Budget and Management earlier said the salary adjustments will result to a 58.7 percent average increase for all MUP ranks, effective January 1, 2018. By 2019, the average increase will be 72.18 percent for all ranks.
The new joint resolution also noted the hazard pay for MUP will be fixed at P540 per month.
It would also discontinue the grant of provisional and officers’ allowances, which were earlier given as an interim measure pending the modification of the base-pay schedule.
The funds for the base-pay hike for 2018 will be sourced from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and other available funds.The base pay increase would reportedly entail an additional cost of P64.2 billion for 2018.
The funding requirement for the succeeding years shall be included in the national budget.
A joint resolution, like a bill, has the force and effect of a law following the approval of the President.
