Pres. Aquino lauds Defense department’s achievements, contributions to nation-building

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday (Nov. 17) commended the Department of National Defense (DND) for its achievements, as well as the soldiers’ unwavering commitment in performing their duties.

Gracing the department’s 75th Founding Anniversary at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, President Aquino praised Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for his leadership.

President Aquino also cited the soldiers’ contribution for the completion of the Basilan Circumferential Road.

“Isipin po ninyo: taong 2000 pa itong under construction. Matagal itong naudlot dahil sa usapin ng peace and order,” he said, adding that a total of 450,000 residents of Basilan stand to benefit from the infrastructure project.

Once completed, the circumferential road would cut travel time and hasten the transport of agricultural products in Basilan, he said, adding that it is expected to be finished by next year.

During his speech, President Aquino also thanked the soldiers, particularly the 10 recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Medal, Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer and Degree of Legionnaire), for their service to the country.

“Sa ngalan ng sambayanan, maraming salamat sa inyong pagsisikap na taasan pa ang antas ng paglilingkod sa ating kapwa at bandila. Nawa’y lagi kayong magsilbing huwaran sa inyong mga kasamahan upang lalong pagbutihin ang pagtupad sa tungkulin,” he said.

“Makakaasa naman kayong sa pagpapakitang-gilas ninyo, lalo ring ginaganahan ang inyong liderato na tulungan kayong lampasan ang mga hamon ng inyong misyon, at maging ang inyong pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan,” he added.

President Aquino said the government has allocated P41.38 billion from 2010 to 2014 for the AFP Modernization and Capability Upgrade Program.

A total of 46 projects have so far been completed under the program, he said.

“Mayroon pa tayong natitirang mahigit isang taon at pitong buwan, kaya’t tiyak na madaragdagan pa ang makukumpleto natin. Sa 2013 pa nga lang, 12 proyekto na ang ating naisakatuparan. Kabilang rito ang pagbili ng dalawang modernong barko, tatlong naval helicopters, eight combat utility helicopters,” he said.

“Ongoing na rin ang ating DND Medium-Term Capability Development Program na saklaw ng ating Revised AFP Modernization Law. Sa programang ito, 33 proyekto ang kinukumpleto na natin na aabot hanggang 2017. Ang halagang inilaan natin para dito ay P90.86 billion,” he said.

He also noted the Philippine Defense Transformation Roadmap 2028 presented to him during the program.

“Magsisilbi itong master plan upang siguruhing ang lahat ng ating inisyatiba ay kongkretong naipatutupad. Sinisiguro nating hindi mababalewala ang ating mga pinaghihirapan. Sa komprehensibong planong ito, titiyaking nagtutugma ang roadmaps ng mga kaugnay na ahensiya ng DND upang maabot ang ganap na transpormasyon ng ating tanggulan,” he said.

Besides the acquisition of new equipment, President Aquino cited housing, livelihood, and fixed pension system as among the programs of the government to improve the situation of the country’s soldiers. (PCOO News Release)