MANILA, Philippines — The National Development Support Command, the
development arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to fight
insurgency in the countryside, has been abolished with the retirement of
its commander.
In a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo Thursday, Major General Carlos
Holganza, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978, was
honored in a testimonial parade as he reached the mandatory retirement
age of 56.
Nadescom was in charge of developmental projects and programs in the countryside.
The deactivation was for the restructuring program of the AFP under the Defense Planning Guidance for 2013 to 2018.
Meanwhile, Nadescom spokesman Major Emmanuel Garcia could not say
whether it would be replaced with a new unit, but said the remaining
projects would be distributed to unified commands and field units.
Nadescom personnel at the General Headquarters were also seen packing
their things, and their office vehicles were recalled effective
Thursday.
The Nadescom had been partnering with non-government organizations to
continue its projects since its funds from the Kalayaan sa Barangay
Program had been re-channeled to the Office of the Presidential Adviser
on the Peace Process under the Pamana program in 2011.
The Nadescom was formed under former President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006 to spearhead the KBP, which handles the
military’s development programs in far flung areas in the country to
address insurgency.
It was composed of five Army brigades, one Navy Seabees and one Air Force Engineering Brigade.
President Benigno Aquino III in his first budget message, scrapped
the KBP as it was “no longer able to deliver its intended outcome.”
The military finished 1,800 projects including health centers, schools and farm to market roads under Nadescom.
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Frances Mangosing | INQUIRER.net | May 4, 2012 | Article Link
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