Army grants 3-day leave commutation
FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – As part of its morale
and welfare program, the Philippine Army has recently granted leave
commutation to its 85,000 strong personnel, a military official said.
Major Harold Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, said
that an amount equivalent to a 3-day leave commutation was released and
credited to the ATM (automatic teller machine) bank accounts of the
soldiers.
The commutable amount ranges from P5, 505.38 to
P11,032.99 for officers and P2, 511.55 to P4, 980.84 for
non-commissioned officers. The said entitlement is computed based on the
basic pay and longevity pay of the military personnel.
“This is in compliance to a directive from the
general headquarters AFP dated January 2, 2012, which states that all
military personnel can be granted a maximum of five (5) days commutation
of leave for CY 2011 unless he executes a written notice waiving his
interest for this claim,” he said.
The Philippine Army prioritized the payment of the
adjustments of all collateral allowances, which are dependent on the
Base Pay since this is programmed out of the Personnel Services funds.
“Collateral allowances of military personnel refer
to Flying Pay for military pilots, Sea Duty Pay, Instructors Duty
Pay (IDP), Hazardous Duty Pay (HDP), Jump Pay and Parachutists Pay,
Radiation Hazard Pay, Magna Carta Benefits of Public Health Workers and
other collateral allowances, computation of which is based on CY 2004
Base Pay schedule,” added Cabunoc.
The payment of leave commutation is part of an
“un-programmed activity”. Based on the remaining funds available for
calendar year 2011, the Army can only grant the amount that is
equivalent for three days.
“This is not a disadvantage to the soldiers because
they can still claim all their leave commutation by the time they retire
from the service. The more leave balance that you have, the more money
that you can receive upon retirement,” Cabunoc explained.
Cabunoc further said that the Army leadership has
always in mind the morale and welfare of the soldiers.
“Well-motivated soldiers are the ones who can focus
in performing their hazardous duties especially those who are assigned
in conflict areas. For this reason, we will always ensure that they
receive the benefits and entitlements that are due them,” Cabunoc
concluded.
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