With his administration already surpassing accomplishments
of his three predecessors, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday vowed to
double the efforts of his government to modernize further the Philippine Air
Force (PAF).
”It is clear: We have now a government which takes care of
our soldiers who protect our people,” the President said in his speech during
the 68th PAF Founding Anniversary in Clark Air Base, Pampanga.
”In the remaining months of my administration, rest assured
that our support to you will not diminish. We will double our efforts to hasten
further the molding of our air force that can be proud of by our bosses now and
in the coming generations,” he added.
Attending the PAF anniversary for the last time as Commander-in-Chief,
the President told the airmen that he would be leaving an Air Force that is
equipped and modernized, having completed 55 projects in five years compared to
the total of 45 done by his three predecessors.
”Sa mabuting pamamahala, pinaunlad natin ang kakayahan at
kagamitan ng mga kawal ng bayan. Ang hangad natin: Bigyang-lakas kayo upang mas
epektibo ninyong magampanan ang inyong mandato. Kaya nga po tuloy-tuloy ang
pagsusulong natin ng modernisasyon sa AFP,” the President said.
Under his administration, the President said the PAF
increased its C-130 from one to three while two more units will be arriving to
strengthen its heavy-lift capability.
The PAF also received first of its three Casa C295 medium
lift transports and two newly-acquired Bell
”Nakatakda ding dumating ang dalawa pang units ng C-295,
dalawang C-212 light lift transports, at anim pang Bell 412 combat utility
helicopters,” the President said.
He said six close-air support aircrafts will also soon be
delivered to reinforce the PAF’s operation capability.
President Aquino said the first two units of the FA-50
lead-in fighter trainer jets bought from South Korea
”Malapit na nga pong mag-take-off sa sarili nating airbase
ang fighter jets na ito, na inaasahang higit na maglilinang sa kakayahan nating
pangalagaan ang ating teritoryo,” President Aquino said.
Aside from modernization of the PAF equipments, President
Aquino said his government has also improved the lives of the soldiers through
housing programs, increased subsistence allowance and necessary uniforms for
the airmen.
”Mayroon din tayong isinusulong na PAF Flight Plan 2028,
para gawing mas malawakan ang transpormasyon sa inyong organisasyon,” he said.
The President also thanked the airmen for performing their
duties and responsibilities to protect the country not only from local and
national threats but also during the emergencies and calamities particularly
the Zamboanga siege and typhoon Yolanda.
”Tunay po: Hindi matatawaran ang tapang at dedikasyon ng
ating Hukbong Himpapawid at ng ating buong unipormadong hanay. Gaano man
kasalimuot ang sitwasyon, gaano man kadambuhala ang hamon sa inyong harapan,
nakahanda kayong itaguyod ang interes at kaligtasan ng sambayanan,” President
Aquino said.
”Hindi man araw-araw naibabalita ang inyong mahahalagang
operasyon, hindi man laging naihahayag ang inyong kabayanihan, patuloy pa rin
kayo sa pagpapakitang-gilas alang-alang sa inyong kapwa at bandila. Sa ngalan
ng sambayanan, maraming-maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong serbisyo,” he
added.
He also thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
and Department of National Defense (DND) leadership for helping him achieved
the transformation being enjoyed now by the Filipino soldiers.
The President particularly mentioned AFP chief of staff Gen.
Gregorio Pio Catapang, DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, PAF Commanding General
Jeffrey Delgado, and Generals Ricardo David, Eduardo Oban Jr., Jessie Dellosa,
Emmanuel Bautista, Oscar Rabena and Larry dela Cruz.
”Kasabay ng pagbati ko sa inyong ika-68 na anibersaryo, nais
kong ipaabot sa inyo: Tunay na karangalan ko ang makapaglingkod bilang Pangulo
at Commander-in-Chief ng isang Sandatahang Lakas na nagsisilbing ehemplo ng
husay, disiplina, at propesyonalismo,” the President said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=778148
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.