00:00In a move that hits the nail on the head, President Ferdinand R. Marcus Jr. has greenlit a 15% salary increase for over 470,000 military and uniformed personnel, or MUPs, over the next three years.
00:14This is the first pay raise in seven years, long overdue after the last adjustment under the previous adjustment.
00:20The hike will roll out in three stages, starting with a 5% increase in 2026, followed by 4.75% in 2027.
00:30And wrapping up with a 4.55% in 2028.
00:34This pay boost is expected to be a game changer, giving MUPs the recognition and support they truly deserve.
00:43To discuss this significant move in more detail and its impact on our military and uniformed personnel,
00:48we are joined by Colonel Fransil Padilla, spokesperson from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, her AFP, via phone patch,
00:56who will give us valuable insight into how this decision will affect the lives of our nation's defenders
01:01and the broader implications for public service.
01:04Good evening.
01:06Sharm Zespini here from PTV News Tonight.
01:09Hello, good evening, and good evening to all of your viewers and listeners.
01:13Good evening, Colonel Fransil.
01:15Given the economic climate and long-standing budget constraints,
01:19we'd like to know how sustainable is the 15% salary increase for MUPs over the next three years?
01:26We're also very interested to find out what the impact could be on the overall government budget allocation.
01:34Well, basically, when this was requested, there was a thorough review that was conducted,
01:43and this was not immediate.
01:44It was started since August of last year,
01:47and it was considering the time when the last increase was given for the MUPs
01:53and also the inflation through the years.
01:56So for this, the 15% increase was actually intentionally designed to be faced and as well as calibrated.
02:06So it remains fiscally sustainable, no, despite economic pressures.
02:13So spreading the adjustments over three years also allows our government to plan appropriations responsibly
02:19and avoid sudden fiscal strain.
02:22For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from the side of the AFP, that's where we can speak about this, no,
02:29sustainability actually means supporting our troops today
02:32without compromising our operational readiness and modernization programs tomorrow.
02:38So this is why close coordination between the Department of Budget and Management
02:43and other agencies continues to ensure, no, that personnel welfare
02:48and national defense priorities move forward together.
02:52Okay.
02:53With the pay increase faced over the three years, Colonel Fransel,
02:57what are the key metrics or indicators that the government is using to assess the long-term effectiveness of this move
03:04simply to boost morale and retention within the MUPs' ranks?
03:08Well, of course, effectiveness, foremost, must be measurable, no.
03:16For the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the government, it will be looking at the clear indicators, no,
03:22such as retention and attrition rates.
03:25We also have to look into recruitment field rates, no, for the AFP.
03:30Unit readiness, morale and command climate surveys as well is something that we are looking into.
03:37So trends in terms of absenteeism, promotion and training, participation of our troops,
03:44and, of course, overall, no, the budgetary impact of this adjustment.
03:49So we have to look at this metric to allow us to see whether this initiative truly strengthens morale
03:57and it also reduces our turnover, no, and enhances the overall capability of all the units within the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
04:08So for us, transparency in measuring outcomes is the very essential thing that we want to achieve, no,
04:15in order to have this responsible personal reform in general.
04:20Okay, let's look at things from a policy perspective.
04:24How does this salary adjustment align with the broader reforms in the military and public sector compensation,
04:31and what additional steps could we perhaps take to ensure that the MUPs receive comprehensive support beyond these financial incentives?
04:42Well, this salary adjustment actually is part of a broader reform agenda.
04:50So this is for military and uniformed personnel, no?
04:52So the sustainable support requires more than pay.
04:58It should include the harmonization of allowances, also the improved living and working conditions, no,
05:05of our troops and officers and personnel in general, no?
05:09We also have to look into strengthened mental health, no, and family programs for those with families.
05:18As you can see, for soldiers, mostly, no, we have to really be assigned in distant posts.
05:24So we have to look into the stability of the families that we left behind.
05:29So we look also at our troops' professional development, and, of course, transparent and marriage-based promotion systems.
05:38So these non-monetary reforms are crucial because they directly affect our morale,
05:45the retention of our personnel, and mission readiness overall.
05:50So the goal is a holistic, modern personnel system that will eventually support our troops in every aspect of the service.
06:00Yes, as you mentioned, it is balancing personal welfare with the giving out of financial incentives.
06:06Thank you very much for this insight, Colonel Fransel Margaret Padilla,
06:10spokesperson from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
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