SOME members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in the Visayas appealed to the incoming administration for an increase in their monthly allowance.
The CAFGU appealed to President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to take notice of their plight, especially now that prices of basic goods continue to go up, including the prices of petroleum products, and the impending fare hike in public transportation.
Col. Ramon Zagala of the Philippine Army and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, said that the AFP recognizes the help of almost 65,000 volunteer CAFGU members in the country who are part of the integrated territorial defense system of the AFP to help maintain peace and development in their respective areas.
Zabala explained that although majority of the CAFGU members are volunteers and mostly farmers, a big chunk of their time is spent on their livelihood in their farms, and they still receive P4,600 monthly allowance.
Under the present administration, they were given by President Rodrigo Duterte an additional P2,000 allowance.
The allowance given to CAFGU members is based on existing law or from direct orders coming from the president of the Philippines.
Other CAFGU units, on the other hand, receive financial support from their local government unit.