4,000 CAFGU men to receive financial support

LEGAZPI CITY --- Some 4,000 members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary Service (CAFGU) in Bicol are to receive on December P12,000 as financial support for their services to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) an official of the Philippine Army (PA) 9th Infantry Division (9ID) public affairs office said on Friday.

Maj Ricky Aguilar 9ID public affairs chief, said the government has earmarked a P48 million fund to be used as payment for monthly cash assistance to thousands of militiamen giving voluntary services to the AFP.

Aguilar in a phone interview said each CAFGU member would receive P2,000 covering the months of July to December this year saying.

Last year Under Executive Order 69 signed by Duterte each CAFGU received P7,000 monthly cash assistance until June of this year but due to financial constraints the amount was reduced to only P2,000 effective July to December this year, Aguilar said.

According to Aguilar the old rate would be restored by next year after the CAA budget is approved and included in the General Appropriations Act of 2020.

Aguilar said the 4,000 strong CAFGU members, were mostly deployed in Camarines Sur, followed by Albay, Sorsogon, and the rest in Camarines Norte, Masbate and Catanduanes.