Aside from conquering the battlefields, the Philippine Army
(PA) has also proven itself adept in mitigating the ill effects of climate
change, natural disasters and calamities.
This was stressed by outgoing Department of National Defense
Secretary Voltaire Gazmin as he formally bade farewell to the officers and
enlisted personnel of the 85,000-strong PA in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last
June 24.
He is scheduled to step down on Thursday.
"Even in peaceful times, our Army personnel are
pre-occupied in addressing the ill effects of climate change, natural disasters
and calamities, and in the rendition of humanitarian assistance and disaster
response, to save thousands of lives in many disaster relief operations, during
typhoons and other calamities in the various parts of our country," Gazmin
stressed.
Aside from disaster response, the PA has also been a strong
supporter of the government's national development plan as Army engineer
brigades are actively engaged in the construction and repairs of roads, school
buildings, water systems, electrification platforms, health centers and other
infrastructure projects all over the country.
Gazmin earlier said he is leaving behind a more capable and
effective PA.
"I assumed as Defense Secretary in July 2010 and involved
myself in the task of contributing my modest share in the accomplishment of the
DND mission," he said.
And during his stint and with the strong support of
President Benigno S. Aquino III, Gazmin said significant progress has been made
in the implementation of the AFP Capability Upgrade and Modernization Program
where Php60.14 billion has been released from July 10, 2010 to April this year,
for all three Major Services, which includes the Army, Navy and Air Force.
"Thus, the Philippine Army has now in its inventory
newly-acquired 114 units of M-113A2 armored personnel carrirs from the US EDA
(Excess Defense Articles Program), six units of armored personnel carriers and
four units of armored recovery vehicles, all from Israel; 120 units of field
ambulances; various types of mobility trucks, such as 1 and 1/4 ton trucks
troop carriers, 2 1/2 ton trucks troop carriers, and five ton trucks prime
movers; 63,286 units of M-4 assault rifles, that include the requirement of the
Philippine Marine Corps; and various types of tactical radio equipment,"
he pointed out.
This is aside from projects that are now either in the
contract implementation stage or procurement stage, Gazmin pointed out.
"I am likewise glad to note that the Philippine Army
today is headed to state of professional modernity with its activation in 2011
of the Philippine Army Multi-Sector Advisory Board, or the PA MSAB.
Accordingly, the PA MSAB has consistently guided the Philippine Army to evolve
professionally and attain excellence in the years to come through the
implementation of the Army Transformation Roadmap," the DND chief
disclosed.
Gazmin, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of
1968, was the 40th Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He held the
position from July 13, 1999 to Oct. 22, 2000.
"I depart from our Defense Department on June 30, 2016
contented and pleased that I am leaving behind my endeared institution, the
Philippine Army, the immortal monument of courage and patriotism in the defense
of our citizenry and their treasured social and democratic ideals," he
added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=898750
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