PDEA, NBI agents to get pay hike, too

MANILA, Philippines – Soldiers and police officers, as well as members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation, will get an increase in their salaries.

President Duterte told troops at the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command last Thursday that he has asked his finance managers to look for funds to bankroll the raise in pay.

“I’d like to tell you that we will go ahead with the increases of the soldiers of the police and the military and that would include the PDEA and the law enforcement agencies such as the NBI,” he said.

He made the announcement before visiting wounded soldiers in Zamboanga City.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Congress must pass a law to adjust the pension for new military and police officials to avoid its impact once the administration   increases the salaries of uniformed personnel.

Meanwhile, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. has proposed granting police officers an allowance based on merit.

He said police officers must receive an additional allowance if they go on street patrol or a mission in pursuit of criminals.

“It is a pay category linked to actual work done,” he said. “Patrol the streets, get paid more.”

Andaya called the stipend patrol and mission allowance, which is equivalent to combat pay in the Armed Forces.

Other special allowances are already incorporated in the Philippine National Police compensation schedule like flying pay for    helicopter pilots and sea duty pay for maritime police, he added.