President Aquino tells soldiers: Contribute to improve the military organization

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 30): President Aquino tells soldiers: Contribute to improve the military organization

President Benigno S. Aquino III encouraged the members of the armed forces to help make the military organization a much better and professional fighting force by giving their individual contribution.

In his speech during the 45th AFP Sergeant Major and 19th Non-Commissioned Officers Day in Malacanang Palace Tuesday night, the President told the Armed Forces of the Philippines's Sergeant Majors to do their part by actively playing bridge to old and new military officers.

"Kayong mga Sergeant Major, kayo ang nag-uugnay, kayo ang tagahubog doon sa mga bagong hirang na opisyal. Kayo naman ang tagapasa ng kaalaman doon sa mga mas bata sa inyo," the President said.

Sergeant Majors should share their experiences to younger officers for the benefit of the entire military organization, he added.

"Puwede naman tayong kabahagi ng napagandang institusyon. Iyon ang kailangang pagpilian," he said.

While ordinary soldiers are doing their duties, the government will also do its part, the President said.

For instance, the government has started mass housing projects for soldiers, initiated fixing their pensions, aggressively pushed for the AFP modernization and has provided livelihood to members of the military.

Part of the livelihood program for soldiers were the ones opened in three camps in the country. One in Fort Magsaysay, and camps in Capiz and Bukidnon. The biggest initiative in the livelihood program is palm oil production, he said.

"At ang plano dito ‘yung aktibo at saka ‘yung retirado makkiinabang na. May tulong na rin na nagagamit ng estado itong lupang bakante ngayon pero importante nakatutok doon sa kapakanan ng mga tao ngang malaki-laking bahagi ng buhay nila ang hinandog sa serbisyo ng bansa," the President said.

Different government agencies will work together to help the soldiers such as putting up cooperatives, giving them know-how and skills and start businesses, according to the President.

In terms of modernizing the AFP, the President said that so far, 44 projects were already completed under the AFP Modernization Capability Upgrade Program from July 2010 to September 2014.

The Aquino administration surpassed the number of projects of three previous administrations under its modernization program for the military.

The government has so far spent P41.38 billion for the AFP modernization. The money was spent for acquiring new planes, guns, communications equipment, force protection and many others, he said.

"Meron pa akong natitirang isang taon [at] walong buwan; at marami pa tayong nasa pipeline," he said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1781414574155/president-aquino-tells-soldiers-contribute-to-improve-the-military-organization