BCDA chief to focus on helping AFP modernization

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) chairperson Delfin Lorenzana said Friday contributing to the modernization of the Philippine military would be among his priority in leading the agency.

At a public briefing, Lorenzana was asked about President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos' marching orders.

Lorenzana said the chief executive did not give him any specific directive but he aims to give importance to the modernization of the military force.

"Wala naman siyang direktiba sa akin. Ang sinabi ko sa kanya, ang kagandahan ng aking pagpunta sa BCDA ay sa kadahilanang 36% ng earnings o kinikita ng BCDA ay pupunta sa modernization ng equipment ng Armed Forces," he said.

(He has no directive. What I told him was, with me at the helm, 36% of the earnings of BCDA will go to the modernization of the AFP.) 

"So, 'yun ang aking layunin dito para mapangalagaan natin naman ang interes ng ating Armed Forces kontra doon sa kinikita ng BCDA, milyon-milyong piso ito at marami na silang nabigay sa modernization," he added.

(So, that's my aim, to ensure that the interest of the AFP will not be neglected and allot BCDA's earnings to the military's modernization.)

The Department of National Defense earlier said the BCDA contributed to the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, its major beneficiary.

Prior to being picked as BCDA chief, Lorenzana served as Defense Secretary under the Duterte administration.—AOL, GMA News