President Benigno S. Aquino III presided Wednesday the change of command of the Philippine Navy and the retirement ceremony for the outgoing navy chief. The President led the turn-over of the service to Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano as the new Flag-Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy from Vice Admiral Alexander Pama. In his speech during the event, the President said he expects Vice Admiral Alano to continue the reforms initiated by Vice Admiral Pama in the Philippine Navy, particularly the thrust to increase the capability of the navy from internal and external threats. “Ang ganitong uri ng pamumuno ang inaasahan nating ipagpatuloy at higit pang lilinangin ni Vice Admiral Alano bilang bagong Flag Officer-in-Command ng Philippine Navy,” the President said.
The Filipino public expects Alano to defeat the threat of terrorism, to help the country rise from calamities that hit Mindanao, and to fight corruption in the service, the Chief Executive said. Because of the navy’s dedication to improve itself and prepare the Philippines for future challenges, the President said, every member of the Navy, as well as the entire Filipino nation can now be proud of themselves. The President praised the Navy for its role in asserting the country’s sovereign rights in the contested West Philippine Sea, the Navy’s dental and medical missions as well as its feeding programs and disaster response initiatives.
To inspire the members of the Armed Forces to do more, the President said, the government allocated more than P28 billion in one year and seven months of the administration for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. As a result of the increased budget for the AFP, the country was able to acquire Hamilton class cutters: the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, and the locally built BRP Tagbanua. The President noted that with the signing of the New AFP Modernization Act last week, the Philippine Navy could continue to modernize its fleet adding that under the new government's spending plan, it allotted P75 billion in the next five years to modernize the AFP.
According to the President, the government will also continue to provide decent shelter to the members of the police and military noting that by August next year, he expects the National Housing Authority to complete the additional 31,200 houses for police and military personnel.
The government has so far built 21,800 low-cost housing units intended for the police and the military, he said. Among those who joined the President during the event were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, and Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isoreno.
Born on May 1, 1958, in Quezon City, Alano is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class Matapat of 1979. He has served the military for 37 years. Among the awards and decorations he has received include three Distinguished Service Stars, an Outstanding Achievement Medal, a Gawad Sa Kaunlaran and a Military Merit Medal with Spearhead Device. Alano is married to Maria Hildelita, a corporate lawyer. The couple is blessed with two daughters, Maria Gabriela, 13, and Sofia Lourdes, 12. PND
http://www.navy.mil.ph/news.php?news_id=802&home=1
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