Administrative Order No. 26

Section 5(2), Article XVI of the Constitutional declarers it a policy of the State to strengthen the patriotic spirit and nationalistic consciousness of the military; WHEREAS,

Section 17(iv) of Congress Joint Resolution No. 4 (s. 2009) provides that the President, upon recommendation of the DBM, is authorized to update the Compensation and Position Classification System of civilian personnel and Base Pay Schedule of military and uniformed personnel (MUPs), as well as the policies on and levels of allowances, benefits, and incentives of government personnel; WHEREAS, the Administration recognizes the vital role of MUPs in providing internal and external security, promoting peace and order, and ensuring public safety through the implementation of various programs and initiatives; WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and DBM recommend the grant of one (1)-time rice assistance to all MUPs for fiscal year (FY) 2024 in recognition of their invaluable contribution to the country, to assist them in coping with the effects of the current socio-economic challenges, and to likewise provide economic opportunities for those in agriculture sector; and WHEREAS,

Rice Assistance for all MUPs

Section 1. Rice Assistance for all MUPs. A one-time rice assistance at a uniform quantity of 25 kilograms of rice is hereby granted of the following, provided they are are in active service as of 30 November 2024; a. Military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the Department of National Defense; and b. Uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Philippine Public Safety College under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Corrections under the Department of Justice, Philippine Coast Guard under the Department of Transportation, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The one (1)-time rice assistance shall be sourced from local and participating farmers of the KADIWA ni ANI at KITA or KADIWA Program of DA.

Distribution of Rice Assistance

Section 2. Distribution of Rice Assistance. The distribution of rice shall be from December 2024 to March 2025, and shall be done in designated National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses, to authorized representatives of MUPs, based on a schedule set by NFA.

Funding

Section 3. Funding. The funding requirement for the grant of the rice assistance to MUPs shall be charged against the Contingent Fund under Republic Act No. 11975 or the "General Appropriations Act for FY 2024", subject to compliance with relevant laws, rules and regulations.

Implementing Guidelines

Section 4. Implementing Guidelines. Within 15 days from the effectivity of this Order, the DA and DBM, in consultation with NFA, shall formulate and issue the necessary rules and/or guidelines for the effective implementation of this Order, including the efficient and effective mechanisms for the distribution of the abovementioned rice assistance.

Repeal

Section 6. Repeal. All orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity

Section 7. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. DONE, in the City of Manila, this 7 th day of November, in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Four.     (SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR.   By the President:   (SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN Executive Secretary