More Shelters for More Soldiers

CAMP EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – A good number of military soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially their immediate family members will benefit from the fruits of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority's (BCDA) strategic planning and well-executed programs particularly the forthcoming completion of 192 residential units located in Fort Bonifacio and the Villamor Air Base.

The construction of 12 condominiums, each having 16 decent condo-type units will cost the BCDA the amount of P700 million.

Two buildings, with a total of 32 units, are located within the retention area of the Philippine Air Force in Villamor Air Base while ten buildings, comprising 160 units, are located in Fort Bonifacio. 

The BCDA announced the imminent completion of the residential units last week in the turnover ceremony of 32 newly completed condominium-type units to a similar number of Army soldiers and their families who were former JUSMAG (Joint US Military Assistance Group) Area residents. 

During the event, BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Arnel Casanova said “the provision of decent shelters to our brave men is expected to motivate them while being in pursuit of giving service to the nation and to fellow Filipinos.” 

The achievements of BCDA has left the military and its soldiers, other national government agencies, and civil society optimistic that there are goal-oriented means in correcting old, distorted ways. These are evidenced by the recovery of Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) property and the usage of AFP's shares and proceeds from the disposition of former military bases to augment the military's modernization programs.

“I’m quite convinced that there is still honor amongst uniformed men and the way we’re going to accomplish these projects is by bearing in mind the honor and dignity of our soldiers,” Casanova added.

Apart from upgrading the military's capability, the shares and proceeds received by the AFP from the said disposition are further translated into the construction of more housing units for qualified members of the military. Once the second batch of 32 housing units are accomplished, they will be turned over soon to qualified soldiers. These 32 units are just part of the 160 condo units to be built near McKinley Hill in Taguig City. 

Out of the 10 buildings in Fort Bonifacio which ought to provide 160 condo-type units, 2 have been constructed already. The other 8 buildings are expected to be put up and turned over before the year ends. Each unit is equipped with 3 bedrooms and a maid's quarter. 

Casanova emphasized that the results of these projects cannot be possible without the concerted efforts of the Department of National Defense, the BCDA, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is grateful for the continuous assistance and contribution of the BCDA to uplift the morale and welfare of the soldiers. Not only does the BCDA put in so much effort to fast-track the implementation of our capability upgrade and modernization program but it keeps in mind the hardship and the sacrifices made by our troops which they willingly replace with programs that would better fit the soldiers and their families’ needs,” AFP Chief of Staff, Gen Jessie D. Dellosa said.

“Rest assured that with the benefits that we continue to receive from the BCDA, we will be more able and efficient in performing our mandate to protect the people and the state,” Dellosa added.

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PAO | Armed Forces of the Philippines | May 27, 2012 | Article Link

BCDA remittances to military reach over P15 billion

MANILA, Philippines - The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has remitted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) more than P15 billion from the proceeds of the sale of former military camps as of last year.

The military uses its share of proceeds from the disposition of its former bases to buy new defense equipment or improve its facilities. 

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said for 2011 alone, the BCDA turned over P2.64 billion, P2.37 billion of which went to the military.

He said the BCDA had remitted a total of P12.7 billion from 2000 to 2010. 

Burgos said the funds they received would be used to support their modernization efforts.

“These (funds) will further equip the AFP with the necessary requirements of its capability upgrade and modernization projects which does not only benefit the men and women in uniform but ultimately the whole Filipino nation as well,” he said. 

Burgos said a total of 43 military capability upgrade projects worth P4.7 billion have been completed using the BCDA remittances.

Of the 43 completed projects, 19 were already delivered to the AFP and are now being used by troops.

Among the projects delivered are the 1,621 Night Fighting System for the Army; 18 basic trainer aircraft and aerial camera for the Air Force; two multi-purpose attack craft, four landing craft utility and 76-mm ammunition for the Navy; an integrated radio tracking system and base communication network for the AFP General Headquarters; 402 squad automatic weapons, and 8,100 force protection equipment.

The AFP Medical Center also benefited from the BCDA remittances, which were used to improve four operating rooms. 

The military is also entitled to shares from non-sale transactions like lease agreements from various companies.

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Alexis Romero | The Philippine Star | March 05, 2012 | Article Link

P4.7-B BCDA revenue used for 43 modernization projects: AFP

MANILA, Philippines - The military used P4.7 billion from revenue collected from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to complete 43 modernization and capability upgrade projects, the AFP’s Public Affairs head and spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. announced on Sunday.

“Out of the 43 completed projects, 19 were already delivered to the AFP and are now being used in the performance of our troops’ duties,” he said.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Arnel Casanova said of the turnover, “We at the BCDA believe that it is only fitting to compensate our soldiers’ hardship and sacrifices by contributing to the advancement of their capabilities and equipment so that they will be able to fulfill their mandate more efficiently and effectively. We sincerely appreciate the honorable service of our hardworking soldiers especially those who are in the frontlines bravely risking their own lives to make sure that our citizens are able to live a safe and peaceful life,” Casanova said.

In turn, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa said, “The military will compensate the recent juncture with our sustained efforts in delivering better public service and further boosting our external capabilities to uphold our sovereignty and integrity of our national territory.” 

Among the materiel delivered for the Army under the BCDA-funded modernization were 1,621 Night Fighting System and 6 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) M113; for the Air Force, 18 Basic Trainer Aircraft and one Aerial Camera; for the Navy, two Multi-purpose Attack Craft, four Landing Craft Utility and 76mm Ammunition; for the General Headquarters, one Integrated Radio Tracking System, Base Communication Network Project, Mobile Communication Network and Special Operations Communication Equipment, improvement of four AFP Medical Center Operating Rooms and Busbus Station Hospital; and for the Public Affairs: 62 units of Audio-Visual System.

Also delivered were 402 Squad Automatic Weapons for the three Major Services and 8,100 Force Protection Equipment for the Army and Navy.

For the last remittance tranche for 2011, the BCDA turned over recently P2.64 billion to the national government as proceeds from the disposition of former military bases. 

As one of the long-term major beneficiaries, the AFP got the largest share of P2.37 billion. This will add to the total previous remittances by BCDA amounting to P12.7 billion, which Burgos said had “paved the way for the obligation of the military’s modernization projects.” 

Aside from the shares received in the disposition of mentioned lots, the military also received share from non-sale transactions in forms of leases from several corporations.

Transactions of BCDA in which the military had a share include the sales of Fort Bonifacio, DOE/JUSMAG property in Quezon City, expanded Big Delta lot, and Camp Bagong Bantay.

“The disposition of former military camps such as the current Bonifacio Global City and Newport City brought about the turnover of the said amount to the national government. Said camps used to be the biggest military bases formerly known as Fort Bonifacio and Villamor Air Base,” Burgos noted.

Aside from BCDA proceeds, the Malampaya gas project in Palawan was also bankrolling the AFP modernization with the recent acquisition of naval vessels.

More vessels and aircraft are already in the pipeline to boost the country’s security patrol operations for its territorial waters, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, site of the disputed oil-rich Spratly Islands.

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04-Mar-12, 8:54 PM | Jaime Sinapit, InterAksyon.com | Article Link