Lt. Gen. Abraham Bagasin, commanding general of the AFP Central Command, yesterday said Congress is now deliberating on the proposal to increase the pay and allowances of soldiers.

Military records show that, for almost two decades now, soldiers receive P60 daily subsistence allowance and P240 as combat pay a month.

Bagasin said there are several versions of bills in Congress increasing the subsistence allowance of soldiers either to P100 or P120, and their combat pay from P240 to an equivalent of 25 percent of their basic pay.

I don't want to give false expectations, but as far back as two years ago, the increase in subsistence allowance had been there in Congress, Bagasin told officers and enlisted personnel of the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia, yesterday.

President Arroyo recently submitted her recommendation for the upgrading of pay and allowances of government employees, including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines amounting to P13 billion.

It's really high time that our national leadership address this concern of soldiers, Bagasin said.

"Our leaders should realize that the P240 combat pay is way, way below the expectation of our people in the field who are engaged everyday in combat operations," he added.*GPB

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