The Armed Forces Modernization Program would have a total
funding shortfall of Php20.8 billion in 2014 and 2015, which belies claims by
some sectors that the military is provided with hefty allocation each year,
according to a lawmaker during the hearing on the defense department’s
Php141.84 billion proposed budget for next year.
Rep. Ashley Acedillo (Party-list, Magdalo) said during the
hearing Tuesday of the House Appropriations Committee chaired by Rep. Isidro
Ungab (3rd District, Davao
City
However, he said both amounts were not approved by the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said that for 2014,
the AFP received only Php9.7 billion for its Modernization Program. For 2015,
Acedillo said based on the AFP expenditure program, the DBP-approved funding
for the military’s Modernization Program is Php20 billion, which is Php6.8
billion less than the AFP’s requested funding of Php 26.8 billion.
“In other words, there is a shortfall of Php6.8 billion in
2015. For 2014 and 2015, there is a shortfall of around Php20.8 billion,” said
Acedillo, a former Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilot and officer.
Acedillo said while the government has other priorities to
give funding support to, the AFP Modernization Program should be adequately
supported for the country’s welfare and national security.
“As pointed out by our colleagues, we have many priorities.
We understand that the AFP Modernization Program, spread for several years, will
cost the government a lot. But we firmly believe that there is no price tag for
national security,” said Acedillo.
He urged the government that should it slash the funding
requests of the AFP, the reduction should not be too drastic. He also said the
DND should work closely with the DBM and the House Committee on National
Defense to find a solution to the budgetary requirements of the AFP
Modernization Program.
Budget and Management Assistant Secretary Tina Rose Marie
Canda said the original segregation or annual amount for the AFP Modernization
Program is about Php15 billion a year. “We did not expect that there will be an
acceleration in the acquisition of projects for the modernization program,”
said Canda.
http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2014/09/10/4227-afp-modernization-program-has-20-8-b-funding-shortfall-in-2014-2015
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