InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines -- As part of its morale and welfare program, the Philippine Army recently granted leave commutation to its 85,000 troops, paying them amounts equivalent to three days’ leave.
Officers received from P5,505.38 to P11,032.99 for officers and enlisted personnel, P2,511.55 to P4,980.84. The entitlement is computed based on the basic pay and longevity pay of military personnel.
“This is in compliance to a directive from the general headquarters AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) dated January 2, 2012, which states that all military personnel can be granted a maximum of five days’ commutation of leave for CY 2011 unless he executes a written notice waiving his interest for this claim,” Major Harold Cabunoc, Army spokesman, said.
The Philippine Army prioritized the payment of the adjustments of all collateral allowances, which are dependent on the base pay since this is programmed out of the Personnel Services funds.
“Collateral allowances of military personnel refer to Flying Pay for military pilots, Sea Duty Pay, Instructors Duty Pay (IDP), Hazardous Duty Pay (HDP), Jump Pay and Parachutists Pay, Radiation Hazard Pay, Magna Carta Benefits of Public Health Workers and other collateral allowances, computation of which is based on CY 2004 Base Pay schedule,” added Cabunoc.
The payment of leave commutation is part of an “un-programmed activity" and is dependent on the remaining funds for calendar year 2011.
“This is not a disadvantage to the soldiers because they can still claim all their leave commutation by the time they retire from the service. The more leave balance that you have, the more money that you can receive upon retirement,” Cabunoc explained.
