Faustino: AFP modernization can meet target by 2022 amid delays

The Armed Forces of the Philippines can still catch up with its 2022 target despite delays in its modernization program, its chief Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr. said on Friday.

During the Senate budget hearing on the proposed P297,136,636,000 budget of the Defense Department, Faustino said the Horizon 2 of the program can be completed next year.

“Yes, based doon sa lineup ng ating (based on the lineup of our) modernization projects, we could achieve credible defense,” he said.

He noted that funding should be available to make the implementation of the program on time.

Under Horizon 1, which was set for completion in 2017, 21 out of the 53 projects have yet to be finished. Faustino said all of them are already in the process of procurement.

Meanwhile, under Horizon 2, which was set for completion in 2022, 100 out of the 109 projects are still not delivered. These remaining projects are also now in the procurement stage, Faustino said.

Defense Secretary Delgin Lorenzana proposed before the Senate panel to make the funding for AFP modernization program as part of the special purpose fund to expedite the process.

“The procedure of procuring this equipment takes time,” Lorenzana said.

“Meron tayong budget ngayon. Sometimes, it takes a year to perfect a contract kasama sa General Appropriations Act -- tapos na yung buhay ng pera. We have to request again,” he added.

However, Senator Panfilo Lacson opposed the suggestion as he pointed out that all the equipment requested under the program should be itemized.

He added that shifting the AFP modernization budget into a special purpose will make the money a lump sum. “Kapag ginawa mong SPF, magiging lump sum yan.”

Earlier, the AFP said the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down the military's modernization program.

Around P17 billion of the military's modernization fund has been diverted to finance the COVID-19 response activities of the government.

It added that the implementation of the program could be faster if there is a Defense Procurement Law that can govern it. The AFP said it already submitted to Congress a proposal regarding this. —LBG, GMA News