PNoy admin gives AFP modernization highest fund allotment, says official

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has received the highest fund allocation for its modernization and Capability Upgrade Program under the Aquino administration, a military official said Tuesday.

"During the first two years of President Benigno Aquino III, the military has received P16.8 billion from various sources, including remittances from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, General Appropriations, and Malampaya funds," AFP spokesperson Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos told GMA News Online in a phone interview.

"We are grateful of the President's unprecedented support," he said, noting that the modernization program received P34 billion in the 15 years and three presidents before the Aquino administration.

The AFP has implemented 43 modernization and capability upgrade projects amounting to P4.7 billion, of which 19 were delivered.

The Philippine Army received 1,621 Night Fighting System and 6 APC M113, while the Philippine Air Force (PAF) got 18 Basic Trainer Aircraft, four combat utility helicopters, and an aerial camera.

On the other hand, the Philippine Navy obtained two multi-purpose attack craft, four landing craft utility, and 76mm ammunition.

"We are in the process of building our capability. However, we don't have a clear time frame," Burgos said.

"It's very expensive and we can't demand more than what we're capable of. We can't get the budget for health or education. We make do with what we have," he added.

"We have always used the whole-nation approach," he added, noting the importance in enlisting the support of all sectors in the government's security program.

Apparent failure

Similarly, Senator Panfilo Lacson, in his sponsorship speech on Senate Bill 3164 amending the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act, emphasized the importance of upgrading the country's defense capabilities.

SB 3164 was approved by the Senate early this month.

"This matter [Panatag Shoal] only serves to elucidate the importance of having a reliable military force. While we do not discount the importance of having allies, it is undeniable that our country must have a reliable military force that can readily protect and defend our territory, our natural resources, and most importantly, our people," he said.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate committee on national defense and security, noted the apparent failure of the Modernization Program.

"What was then envisioned as a modernization program turned out to be only a capability upgrade for the AFP. But even at this level, the program still fell short of its target. The basic requirements of move, shoot and communicate of the AFP are substandard and outdated, if not totally lacking," he said.

Lacson attributed the dismal performance of the program to the constant changes in priority lists, the tedious procurement process, the lack of technical expertise, and the corresponding legal restrictions.

He said the revised modernization program addresses the drawbacks of the old law.

"The revised modernization program takes into account the pitfalls of the previous model and incorporates provisions that will ensure a more efficient and cost-effective implementation of the program," Lacson noted.

SB 3164 will be conducted in accordance with the Defense System Of Management or DSOM, "a strategy-driven, capability-based, multi-year planning and execution process," the senator said.

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Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo | GMA News Online | June 20, 2012 | Article Link

Senate passes bill amending AFP Modernization Program

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate approved on third and final reading on Monday a bill which seeks to amend the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act after senators noted the program fell short of its targets.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security and principal author of the bill, said the AFP modernization program under Republic Act No. 7898, which ended last year, had “failed in many aspects.”

“The first AFP Modernization Program started on Dec. 19, 1996 with the approval of Joint Resolution No. 28 by the 10th Congress. What was envisioned as a modernization program turned out to be only a capability upgrade for the AFP. But even at this level, the program still fell short of its targets,” Lacson said in his sponsorship speech.

The revised AFP Modernization Program, Lacson explained, seeks to rectify the flaws and pitfalls of the previous model and incorporate provisions that will ensure a more efficient and cost-effective implementation of the program.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, a former defense secretary, said he fully supported the passage of the bill.

”There is a compelling need to look into these modernization efforts and government leaders need to provide the policy guidance, crucial resources and exercise the proper oversight to help the military become more responsive to our security needs,” Enrile said.

Senate Bill No. 3164 was approved with 21 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and zero abstention.

Under the proposed measure, Lacson said, a new system will be introduced to cut down the procurement process from 29 stages to two assessment levels in addition to the actual procurement and contracting stages.

Lacson said the “redundant and tedious procurement system” was one of the causes of delay in the modernization efforts.

The measure will also set the policy of the program to avoid shifts in priorities.

“It appears that in a span of 15 years, the project list as contained in Joint Resolution 28 has been changed 11 times. In fact, there were instances when the list was changed twice in a single year,” Lacson noted.

The constant shifts in priorities, he said, had caused serious setbacks in the modernization of the AFP.

“SBN 3164 also introduces changes in the provision regarding the AFP Modernization Act trust fund. One fundamental change is that the fund can now be used to cover all necessary expenses to implement the procurement of equipment such as expenses for the pre-selection and post-qualification stages. According to the military, the lack of funds to pay for these expenses hinders the entire procurement process,” Lacson said.

To expedite the process, he said, the approval of Congress will no longer be required in the lease or joint development of military reservations. The consent of the President will be enough for such act.

However, he said Congress has to approve the sale of military reservations. The proceeds of the project entered into by either the Department of National Defense or the AFP will form part of the trust fund.

“The creation of a congressional oversight committee is also proposed under SBN 3164. The main purpose of having this oversight committee is to give Congress the needed muscle to safeguard the public funds allocated in the program and to ensure that this new modernization program will be implemented as envisioned under the proposed measure,” Lacson said.

“The modernization of our AFP must be made a priority of this administration,” he added.

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Philippine News Agency/InterAksyon.Com | June 5, 2012 | Article Link