Clothing Allowance for AFP Officers PD 556

Section 90 of Commonwealth Act No. 1, as amended (National Defense Act), provides that the pay and allowances of AFP officers and enlisted personnel shall be as prescribed in Executive Orders or subsequent legislations.
AFP pay and allowances for military personnel are treated as already prescribed in appropriate laws, executive orders, or decrees.
Presidential Decree No. 556 authorizes an additional allowance specifically for AFP officers in active service for clothing.

Officers in the active service are expected to appear at all times in neat, clean, and presentable uniform.
The decree addresses that the cost of uniform attire had increased, thereby reducing officers’ take-home pay.
Presidential Decree No. 556 grants a clothing allowance intended to support officers’ uniform requirements.

The decree authorizes a basic clothing allowance to be granted to each officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The allowance applies to officers in the active service of the AFP.
The allowance may be given either in kind or in cash.
The allowance is determined for each officer at a minimum annual baseline set by the decree.

The basic clothing allowance is at least Three Hundred and Sixty Pesos (P360.00) annually for each AFP officer in active service.
The form of the allowance—in kind or in cash—is determined based on what is set by the governing officials under the decree.
The Chief of Staff, AFP determines the amount and/or manner within the allowable basis, and the determination is subject to approval.

The amount or manner of granting the allowance is as may be determined by the Chief of Staff, AFP.
The determination by the Chief of Staff, AFP must be approved by the Secretary of National Defense.
The decree mandates that the allowance is granted pursuant to the determination and approval process described above.

The decree appropriates Four Million and Forty Thousand Pesos (P4,040,000) or so much thereof from the National Treasury to carry out its provisions.
The appropriation must be programmed yearly thereafter in the appropriation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The decree links ongoing funding to the AFP’s yearly appropriation programming.

Presidential Decree No. 556 was done in the City of Manila on September 17, 1974.
The decree is signed by FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines.
It is also signed by ALEJANDRO MELCHOR, Executive Secretary, on behalf of the President.