Question & AnswerQ&A (LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 699)
The purpose is to authorize the payment of increased subsistence allowance to enlisted personnel, draftees, and trainees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines while on combat status due to rising cost of living and economic slowdown.
It is addressed to the Secretary of National Defense, the Commissioner of the Budget, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The issuance was prompted by the rising cost of living due to the energy crisis and the continuing world economic slowdown.
Military personnel were granted increases in basic pay effective January 1, 1976, amounting to about a 74% increase in total compensation.
The increased subsistence allowance shall be paid from savings in the programmed appropriations for current operating expenditures earmarked for the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the years 1977 and 1978.
Enlisted personnel, draftees, and trainees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on combat status.
The increase shall depend on the availability of savings from regular programmed appropriations and shall not exceed P2 per day.
Effective December 1, 1977.
Though not explicitly defined in the letter, "combat status" refers to enlisted personnel, draftees, and trainees actively engaged in military operations or duty involving direct combat or readiness for combat.