Lack of budget stalling purchase of military equipment for territorial defense

Lack of budget continues to stall the long overdue modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), hindering its efforts to beef up its logistics by purchasing warships and fighter planes that could be used to defend the country’s territory.   During a briefing at the Senate on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said negotiations for the purchase of a warship are ongoing and they are “short of signing” a contract. On the other hand, the procurement of fighter jets is “on the drawing board.” The Department of National Defense (DND) had earlier bared its plan to acquire second-hand fighter jets and missile-firing gunboats from Italy, France, South Korea and the United Kingdom.   “Ang intended purpose natin [ay] i-upgrade yung capability ng Armed Forces para magwardiyahan natin yung teritoryo natin,” he said.   However, he said they could not yet purchase such equipment due to lack of funds. “Kailangan natin ito... ang problema lang wala tayong pambili."   Gazmin and other AFP officials, however, could not give a categorical answer when asked on how much is needed to purchase the aircraft and warships. "Ang basehan po namin dun po sa ating pangangailangan depende sa stratehiya natin," said Navy Rear Admiral Alexander Pama.    In the proposed national budget for 2013, only P5 billion were allocated for the AFP Modernization Program, according to Sen. Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate finance committee. The amount was P10 billion short of the P15 billion needed every year for the program.     Under the AFP Modernization Program, the government should allot P15 billion yearly to the program for five years for it to achieve the needed total P75 billion budget.   "It's principally a question of where to source these funds because the budget would have limitations on the resources of funds and our deficit level," said Drilon. Unprogrammed funds   He noted, however, that the 2013 budget provides for unprogrammed funds worth P10 billion, which may be used to respond to other needs if necessary.   "What the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) will be doing is to look under the present GAA (General Appropriations Act) to find out where we can source these funds from realignment of items which may not be utilized in 2012," Drilon said.   But Gazmin said they are also looking into other possible sources of funds, specifically their land assets. "Hirap na hirap nga tayo mag-produce [ng funds] kaya nga maghanap tayo ng other means," he said.   "Marami pang areas na pwede naming ibenta or i-lease," he said, referring to their land assets, adding they are specifically looking into utilizing their golf courses and military camps as suggested by Drilon.   Drilon said they are also considering using the Malampaya funds to fund part of the program.   The proposed budget for the DND for next year is P120.3 billion. — KBK, GMA News