Signing of missile firing frigate deal highlights PN's goal to strong, credible

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 25): Signing of missile firing frigate deal highlights PN's goal to strong, credible

The signing of the contract for the country's purchase of missile firing frigates highlights the Philippine Navy (PN)'s goal to be a strong and credible Navy by 2020.

This was stressed by PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in a statement Tuesday.

"The acquisition of the two brand new and modern frigates serves as a 'big step' in realizing a once a dream of a world class and well-equipped PN, capable and credible in protecting its people, and the sovereignty of the land and the interest of its national territory," he added.

On Monday, Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana formally inked the contract for the Frigate Acquisition Program, as the principal signatory together with officials and delegates from South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

The signing took place at the PN's headquarters in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

The project involves the construction and delivery of two missile firing frigates to the PN.

The signing of the contract signals the start of the construction and is the culmination of the long and tedious procurement process for the project.

As background, the Notice of Award was approved, issued and was duly conformed by HHI on Sept. 13 with the amount of USD336,912,000 or PHP15,744,571,584.

Witnessing the event were Ambassador of South Korea to the Philippines Kim Jae Shin; Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Installation and Logistics Jesus Rey Avilla; Undersecretary for Financial Management Josue Gaverza Jr; Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics Major Gen. Job Yucoco and his assistant, Brig. Gen. Arnulfo G Rafanan; Senior Military Assistant Brig. Gen. Arnel Duco; and PN Vice Commander Rear Admiral Rafael Mariano.

On the other hand, distinguished members of HHI delegation included the Senior Vice President/Owner HHI, Ki Sun Chung; Senior Sales Officers Ki Young Sung and Jae Rak Kim; Technical Sales Officer, Unchul Kim; Project Consultant, Myeongok Han; and Local Representative, Yolanda Lim Gamba.

Also present in the signing were the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Gaudencio C. Collado; Commander of Philippine Fleet, Rear Adm. Bayani Gaerlan; Commander of Western Command, Vice Adm. Ronald Joseph Mercado; Philippine Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan; Naval Sea Systems head Commodore Virme Torralba; and Project Management Team Chairman, Commodore Robert Empedrad and members.

The activity is of utter significance to the DND and to the PN, in particular. It is the single most expensive modernization project signed by the Duterte administration as of this time.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=934337