Marcos announces base pay hike for military, uniformed personnel

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday announced an upcoming increase in the base pay of military and uniformed personnel (MUP), to be implemented in three tranches beginning in 2026.

In a video statement posted on his social media accounts, Marcos recognized the sacrifices of the MUP, particularly when the country was slammed by consecutive calamities recently.

“Ang ating mga MUP ang unang sumasagot sa tawag ng tungkulin, kahit kaakibat nito ang mga banta sa kanilang kaligtasan. Sa lupa, tubig, o himpapawid, hindi kayo nagda-dalawang-isip n isakripisyo ang inyong kaligtasan para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

(Our MUPs are the first to answer the call of duty, even when it involves threats to their safety. On land, water, or in the air, you do not hesitate to sacrifice your safety for the sake of every Filipino.)

“Bilang pagkilala sa inyong walang sawang pag-lilingkod, dedikasyon, at husay, ating itataas ang base pay ng MUP,” he added.

(In recognition of your tireless service, dedication, and excellence, we will raise the base pay of the MUP.)

Included in the increase are MUP from the Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Corrections and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

Marcos said it will be implemented in three tranches: January 1, 2026; January 1, 2027; and January 1, 2028.

“Bukod pa riyan, simula January 1, 2026, ang Subsistence Allowance ng lahat ng MUP ay magiging P350 na kada-araw,” he also said.

(In addition, starting January 1, 2026, the Subsistence Allowance of all MUPs will be P350 per day.)

An executive order regarding this will be released soon. /gsg