DBM releases over P14 billion for military retirees’ pension

General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippine s at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City (Photo from Radyo Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of over P14 billion to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its retirees’ pension.

In a statement on Friday, the DBM said that Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved a special allotment release order (SARO) to the Department of National Defense – AFP to cover the regular pension of military requirements.

The SARO and the corresponding notice of cash allocation cover pension requirements from January to March 2023, the DBM said.

“It is our responsibility to make sure that our retirees, as well as their families, always get the benefits entitled to them,” Pangandaman said.

“Malaking tulong ‘yan sa kanila. Matagal na panahon silang nagsilbi para tulungan at protektahan ang ating bayan. This is the least we can do to show them our sincerest gratitude and respect,” she added.

(That is a big help for them. They served for a long time to help protect the country.)

The DBM said the fund is chargeable against the Pension and Gratuity Fund (PGF) under the 2023 national budget.

Citing AFP payroll records, the DBM said that as of Dec. 31 last year, there were 137,649 pensioners covered by the monthly pension requirement for the first quarter of 2023. 

gsg/abc