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.