AN ACT PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES BY INCREASING THE RATE OF BASE PAY AND OTHER BENEFITS OF ITS OFFICERS AND ENLISTED PERSONNEL AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9166

State Policy (Section 1):
- The State shall develop plans and programs to enhance professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by improving the welfare of its members.

Pay Schedule (Section 2):
- Adjusts the rate of base pay for AFP officers and enlisted personnel according to the specified salary grades.
- Provides a table listing the salary grades corresponding to each rank.
- Exempts the AFP from Civil Service Commission qualification standards.
- Requires the AFP to formulate a continuing education program for officers and personnel.
- Allows members to continue receiving benefits under existing laws.

Merit System (Section 3):
- The Department of National Defense (DND) shall establish a merit system governing personnel actions in the AFP.
- The system shall include incentives such as:
    - Scholarship grants for deserving children, coordinated with the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education.
    - Hospital care, social services, and other non-cash benefits to strengthen professionalism.
    - Scholarship grants for children of prisoners of war, missing in action, killed in action, or died due to service.

Housing Assistance Program (Section 4):
- The DND shall establish a housing assistance program for AFP officers and personnel.
- The program aims to ensure every soldier has a structurally sound, environmentally safe, affordable, and wholesome home.
- Housing assistance amounts shall be based on rank, location, and family status.
- Families of those killed in battle or died due to service may receive assistance.

Appropriations (Section 5):
- Initial implementation shall be charged against AFP appropriations savings or other available sources determined by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
- Subsequent implementation shall be incorporated in the AFP's regular appropriations in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Annual Report (Section 6):
- The DND and DBM shall jointly submit an annual report on implementation to the Senate President and House Speaker.
- The report shall include information on the budget application for salaries and benefits.
- The DBM, in consultation with the DND, shall periodically review and adjust the base pay rate every five years based on economic indicators.

Implementation (Section 7):
- Implementation shall be undertaken in staggered phases, not exceeding two years.
- Any partial implementation shall be uniform and proportionate for all ranks.

Implementing Guidelines (Section 8):
- The DBM and the DND/AFP shall issue necessary implementing guidelines.

Repealing Clause (Section 9):
- All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations, and issuances inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity (Section 10):
- This Act shall take effect fifteen days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.