Missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (File photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)
MANILA – The Department of National Defense (DND) is requesting a "sunset review" from the House of Representatives to get congressional support for Horizon Three of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, which includes mostly “big-ticket” projects for the Navy and Air Force.
In a briefing Thursday, DND Officer in Charge, Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. said the "sunset review" is mandated by Republic Act 10349, also known as the Revised AFP Modernization Act, which requires Congress to conduct a "systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact" of the law.
"Ang purpose natin dito is (our purpose here is) to generate congressional support for Horizon Three, kasi Horizon Three will start next year and (run) for another five years. But at the rate it is going right now, Horizon Three will be 'big-ticket’ items, (and) when I say 'big-ticket' items, we are talking about modernization projects that entail lots of funds because we are talking about ships for the Navy, (and) for the Air Force, (additional air) assets. Medyo mahal ang mga ito (these things are quite expensive) and we are trying to get congressional support para mapondohan (to fund them)," Faustino said.
Among these “big-ticket” items are the 12 fourth-generation multi-role fighters (MRF) and two diesel-electric submarines being eyed to boost the territorial defense capabilities of the Air Force and Navy, respectively.
Earlier reports placed funding for the MRF project at about PHP60 billion, and the submarines at PHP70 billion, including the logistics support package.
Faustino also said the DND is reviewing the equipment needed by the AFP so they would fit in the budget allocations to be given by lawmakers.
"We are trying to review it in a way na yung talagang these are what we need, with the available budget na kayang ibigay sa atin ng kongreso, ng ating gobyerno. So yun naman ang purpose ng review (We are trying to review it to determine if these are the equipment we need, with the available budget that will be given by Congress and the government. That is the purpose of our review)," he said.
So far, Faustino said they have yet to cancel any of the ongoing projects under the AFP modernization’s Horizon One and Horizon Two, which are slated for 2013 to 2017 and 2018 to 2022, respectively.
He added that the DND review is needed to avoid conflict with the Marcos administration's focus on economic recovery, food security, and mitigation of the pandemic’s effects. (PNA)
