EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 723 - REVISING THE MFA INDICES ON OVERSEAS AND LIVING QUARTERS ALLOWANCES OF FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 1285 establishes the Foreign Service Compensation Plan for staff members of the National Government who are stationed abroad;

WHEREAS, Letter of Implementation No. 63 provides the necessary rules and regulations to be observed in the payment of compensation for personnel of the National Government stationed abroad;  

WHEREAS, Sec. 4.3.2. of the aforesaid Letter of Implementation No. 63 authorizes the Permanent Committee created for the purpose of PD No. 1285 to recommend to the President such adjustment in the MFA Index as may be warranted by changes in the exchange rates and price levels in the affected posts of assignment;

WHEREAS, in view of the continuing world-wide serious increase in price level and decline in the purchasing power of the United States dollar against certain currencies, the officers and employees of the Philippine Foreign Service have been experiencing financial difficulties;

WHEREAS, it is necessary that the officers and employees of the Philippine Foreign Service be provided with adequate financial means to be able not only to protect and advance the country’s interests abroad efficiently and effectively but also to represent the country in a manner worthy of the esteem and respect of the country to which they are assigned and accredited;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, do hereby ordain the recommended revision of the Permanent Committee of the MFA Indices contained in Letter of Implementation No. 95, as follows:

Living Quarter

Country and Post Overseas allowance allowance
From To From To

Afghanistan, Kabul 120% 160% 130% 140%
Argentina, Buenos Aires 140% 255% 140% 250%
Australia, Canberra   140% 180% 160% 180%

  Melbourne   140% 180% 140% 180%
  Sydney    140% 180% 140% 180%

  Toronto   135% 160% 140% 170%
  Vancouver     135% 160%  140% 170%

  Godesberg   235% 245% 235% 240%
  Hamburg     235% 245% 235% 240%

  Republic, East Berlin  235% 245%   235% 240%

Greece, Athens     145% 200%  130% 220%
Hongkong  140% 160% 150% 270%
India, New Delhi 110% 140% 110% 130%
Indonesia, Djakarta    130% 180%  140% 170%

  Menado  100% 120%     90% 110%
  Tarakan     95% 120%    90% 110%

  Tokyo 270% 270%  270% 270%

  China, Peking 130% 150% 120% 160%

  Geneva   235%   270%    235% 240%

  San Francisco   130% 160%   140% 190%
  Los Angeles    130%  160%  140% 190%

  Seattle     130%   160%    135% 190%
  Houston   130%  170%   140% 190%
  Chicago 140%     175%  145% 200%
  New Orleans   130%    160%     135% 185%
  Honolulu 135%   175%   135% 190%
  New York 140%     175%    150% 200%
  Washington   140%     175%  150% 200%