MANILA, Aug. 17 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III renewed his
administration’s commitment to modernize the country’s armed forces to
ensure peace and security.
During his speech at the fellowship meeting with the Philippine
Air Force Aviation Cadet and Officer Candidate Alumni Association Inc.
(PAFACOCAAI) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday evening, the
President acknowledged the need of the Philippine Air Force for modern
and additional aircraft that will guard and protect the Philippine
territory.
For instance, he said, the air force had only one C-130 cargo
plane and flying times had to be divided among the pilots to accommodate
all of them.
“Ito po ang dahilan kung kaya’t isinusulong na natin ang
pagpapasa sa New AFP Modernization Bill, na siyang mag-e-extend sa
pagpapatupad ng ating AFP Modernization Program,” the President said.
“Pitumpu’t limang bilyong pisong (P75 billion) paunang pondo ang
nakasaad sa panukalang batas mula sa Department of National Defense ang
inihain para sa unang limang taon ng implementasyon nito,” he said.
Under the program, more aircraft and helicopters will be
purchased, initially trainer aircraft so that pilots will have the
know-how to fly once fighter jets arrive, the President said hoping that
the fighter aircraft arrive ahead of schedule.
As new planes arrive, the President said, the flying hours of
PAF’s pilots would also increase as well as their capability to serve
the people.
Aside from providing the new equipment and planes, the government
is also building decent homes of the country’s soldiers to improve
their lives, President Aquino said.
The government has completed the Phase I of the housing projects
for soldiers this year, building 21,800 new homes for them, the Chief
Executive said.
Under Phase II of the program, he said, additional 31,200 new
houses would be built for the members of the military, the police, fire
fighters and prison guards. The project is expected to be completed in
August next year.
“Naniniwala nga po tayo: kung mayroon kang isang lipunang
kumakalinga sa iyo, mas nabibigyan ka ng kakayahang gampanan ang iyong
tungkulin, at arugain ang iyong mga kababayan,” the President said
adding that he envisioned an armed forces that can readily respond to
any future challenge.
As the country traverses the righteous path, the President said
Filipinos could now achieve their dream for prosperity and better
security.
“At kapag may kapayapaan, kapag may kaayusan, wala na nga tayong ibang patutunguhan kundi tuloy-tuloy na kaunlaran,” he said.
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