MANILA, Philippines — More than 583,000 military and uniformed personnel (MUPs) are set to receive a 5% increase in base pay beginning January 1, 2027, under the government’s proposed next round of compensation adjustments.
The increase will cover personnel including members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with the government also maintaining a PHP350 daily subsistence allowance.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the pay adjustment forms part of the second tranche of salary increases under Executive Order No. 107, which updated the base-pay structure for military and uniformed personnel.
For police officers, however, the proposed package goes beyond their monthly salaries.
PNP budget climbs to PHP242.53 billion
Under the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program, the PNP is slated to receive PHP242.53 billion, up from PHP226.55 billion in 2026.
Of that amount, approximately PHP210.55 billion is earmarked for personnel services.
The proposed allocation includes:
- PHP100.55 billion for adjusted PNP base pay
- PHP28.67 billion for the PHP350 daily subsistence allowance of 224,421 PNP personnel
- PHP697.18 million to hire 2,000 additional patrol officers
- PHP2.186 billion to fill currently vacant uniformed positions
- PHP1.74 billion for rice subsidies
- PHP280.67 million for hospitalization and healthcare of PNP personnel and their dependents
- PHP125.11 million for the Bantay Kaisipan Health Program
These figures are contained in the government’s proposed 2027 spending plan and therefore remain subject to the budget process.
The PHP350 daily allowance stays
The salary increase is only one part of the package.
The government plans to continue the PHP350 daily subsistence allowance, which is more than twice the previous PHP150 daily rate.
Overall, approximately PHP73.67 billion is proposed for the subsistence requirements of more than 583,000 military and uniformed personnel.
For the AFP alone, around PHP30.71 billion is proposed for 246,844 personnel.
The combination of higher base pay and the increased subsistence allowance is expected by government officials to improve the welfare and morale of personnel who work on the front lines of public safety and national security.
More police officers could soon be on the streets
Another major component of the proposal is manpower.
The 2027 budget includes nearly PHP700 million to hire 2,000 additional patrolmen and patrolwomen nationwide.
The government also wants to fill existing vacant uniformed positions, with another PHP2.186 billion proposed for that purpose.
DBM said stronger police manpower is particularly important as officers work with schools, local governments and communities to maintain peace and order.
Billions more for police equipment and technology
The proposed spending plan also seeks to improve what officers have available in the field.
Around PHP2 billion is proposed for the PNP Capability Enhancement Program, covering areas such as mobility, communications, firepower and anti-terrorism equipment.
Another PHP3.12 billion is earmarked for information and communications technology, while approximately PHP1.499 billion is proposed for infrastructure projects.
The PNP’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) would also rise by about 10%, from PHP23 billion in 2026 to PHP25.7 billion in 2027.
Soldiers are also getting a major boost
The proposed compensation package extends beyond the police.
The AFP is allocated approximately PHP74.92 billion for adjusted base pay under the proposed 2027 budget.
Its overall proposed budget is PHP316.71 billion, representing a 6.85% increase over its 2026 allocation.
The Revised AFP Modernization Program would also receive PHP50 billion, up from PHP40 billion this year.
That means the government is simultaneously increasing spending on personnel compensation and military modernization.
Why the increase matters
The latest adjustment is part of a broader effort to update compensation for military and uniformed personnel.
Executive Order No. 107 established an updated base-pay schedule, with the adjustment being implemented in three tranches. The first tranche began in 2026, the second is scheduled for 2027, and another adjustment is scheduled for 2028.
That makes the upcoming 5% increase more than a one-time bonus: it is part of a longer-term compensation restructuring.
For police officers and soldiers, the government’s argument is straightforward — better compensation and benefits should help improve welfare and morale, while increased manpower, equipment and technology should strengthen their ability to perform their duties.
What happens next?
The important caveat is that the figures are contained in the proposed FY 2027 National Expenditure Program. The final amounts still have to go through the government’s budget process before they become appropriations.
But if the proposal moves forward as presented, thousands of Filipino police officers and soldiers will enter 2027 with higher base pay, a PHP350 daily subsistence allowance and expanded support for healthcare, rice subsidies, manpower and equipment.
And the biggest change may not be the 5% figure itself — it is the government’s decision to combine higher compensation with a broader push to put more police officers on the ground and give them more resources to do the job.
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