Only P30-B spent for AFP modernization program the past 15 years due to lack of funds
By Ben Cal
MANILA, July 17 (PNA Feature) -- Perennial
lack of funds has hampered the modernization program of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that only P30 billion was spent out of
the total congressional appropriation of P331 billion spread over a
15-year period starting in 1995.
Maj. Gen. Jose Tony E. Villarete, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff
for Plans (J5), said the amount of P30 billion was the only fund the
military received for the purchase of various equipment which was far
short of the total amount of P331 billion.
In 1995, Congress passed Republic Act No. 7898, otherwise
known as the AFP Modernization Plan, allocating P331 billion or an
average of P22 billion a year for the Armed Forces to be able to
purchase badly needed military equipment such as aircraft, helicopters,
ships and other weapons.
Villarete, a fighter pilot, said the modernization program
was not fully realized with only one-tenth of the total budget actually
released.
He said the AFP is preparing a terminal report about the
status of its modernization program.
Due to inflation, the P331 billion allocated for the
modernization of the military should be increased to P700 billion at
present rate, Villerete told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) in an
interview.
“In short, the AFP modernization was not fully implemented,”
Villarete stressed.
Be that as it may, he said that the AFP is preparing the New
Capability Development Program (NCDP) to push through its modernization
plan, Villarete added.
He said that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the
Philippine Navy (PN) badly need new aircraft and ships, respectively.
Villarete dubbed the new program as upgrade capability and
come up with the ”best realistic program we can but we need the budget.”
The Philippines has been lagging behind in terms of
modernization of its Armed Forces compared with neighboring countries
such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Yet, the Philippines is facing a three-pronged war --
against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the New People’s Army
(NPA) and the al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). (PNA Feature)
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