AFP Medal of Valor awardees to get higher monthly gratuity, says Marcos

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the 87th Anniversary Celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on December 19, 2022.(REY S. BANIQUET/PNA)

MANILA, Philippines — Medal of Valor awardees from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be receiving an increase in their lifetime monthly gratuity, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced.

But Marcos did not mention how much the raise would be or when the hike would be implemented.

“As recommended by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we are also going to adequately reward the existing Medal of Valor awardees, the increase of their lifetime monthly gratuity, for displaying bravery and heroism in defending our freedom,” the President said in a speech during the AFP’s 88th anniversary celebration on Thursday, Dec. 21.

READ: Wounds still fresh for widow of Medal of Valor awardee 6 years after Marawi siege

Marcos, however, gave assurance that the increase in the monthly gratuity would provide a “tangible and meaningful” reward to existing Medal of Valor awardees, noting that this highlights the government’s commitment to support war heroes.

He then urged the troops to continue upholding the core values of the AFP which are honesty, service, and patriotism.

READ: Marawi City siege’s ‘Daredevil’ gets Medal of Valor

The Medal of Valor is the highest military honor that members of the AFP can receive for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

Under Republic Act No. 9049, Medal of Valor awardees are entitled to a gratuity of P20,000 per month, but this amount was raised to P75,000 per month by former President Rodrigo Duterte during his term.

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