15/12/2024
“ Dagdag sa Allowance ng Pagkain, Isang Kahihiyan
Kailangan nga ng mga sundalo ang dagdag sa kanilang allowance sa pagkain. Ngunit kung ang pagtaas nito ay hindi sinimulan, inaprubahan, at inanunsyo ng mismong Commander-in-Chief, may mali at ito ay nakakabahala.
Na ang anunsyo ay ginawa ng Speaker ng House of Representatives at ng Chairman ng Appropriations Committee—mga personalidad na sangkot sa mga isyu ng katiwalian at kalokohan sa paghahanda at pag-apruba ng 2025 National Budget—ay nakakahiya.
Na ang anunsyo ay isinagawa nang live at ipinalabas pa sa publiko sa pamamagitan ng video call sa AFP Chief para lamang sa propaganda, ay lalo pang nakabababa ng dangal.
Na ang pagtaas ng allowance ay hindi ginawa mula sa kabutihan ng puso, kundi para bilhin ang katapatan ng mga sundalo para sa pansariling interes sa politika, ay isang malaking kawalang-galang sa kanila.
Dapat tumutol ang mga sundalo sa kahihiyang ito. Mas nanaisin pa nilang mabuhay nang mas kaunti ang pagkain, gaya ng kanilang tiniis sa napakahabang panahon.
Kung may pondo ngang magagamit, sa halip na sila’y bastusin, ibigay ito sa mga g**o at health workers na higit ding nararapat dahil sa kanilang mga sakripisyo.”
-Retired Major General Romeo V. Poquiz
TRANSLATED FROM ORIGINAL POST IN ENGLISH:
“Increase in Food Allowance, a Dishonor
Soldiers need increase in their food allowance, alright. But when the increase is not initiated, approved, and announced by the Commander-in-Chief, something is amiss and very alarming.
That the announcement was done by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and his Appropriations Committee Chairman who are embroiled in shenahigans and corruption issues in the preparation and approval of the 2025 National Budget, is shameless.
That the announcement was covered live and broadcasted publicly via video call to the AFP Chief for propaganda purposes, is even more shameful.
That the increase was done not out of the goodness of one’s heart but to buy the loyalty of the Soldier, for political considerations, is a dishonor to the Soldier.
The Soldier must object to this dishonor. He can live with less food as he had endured for the longest time.
If there is that money available, rather than be dishonored, give them to the teachers and health workers instead, who likewise deserve them for their sacrifice.”
- Retired Major General Romeo V. Poquiz
