Velasco: Include purchase of three new C-130 planes in proposed 2022 budget

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, together with other congressional leaders, meets with Philippine Air Force (PAF) officials led by Commanding General Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes at the House of Representatives on Monday, September 27, 2021, to discuss PAF’s modernization and priority projects for 2022. During the meeting, the Speaker expressed his support for the PAF’s plan to upgrade its fleet by buying new and modern aircrafts. Photo from the Speaker’s Office

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has endorsed the inclusion of the funding for the purchase of three brand new C-130J planes by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in the proposed national budget for 2022.

Velasco made the endorsement following his meeting with PAF chief Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes in the House of Representatives on Monday.

“We fully support PAF’s modernization and priority projects for next year, particularly its plan to upgrade its fleet by buying brand new and modern aircrafts,” Velasco said in a statement Tuesday.

“I can only give my word that we in the House of Representatives will include in the 2022 budget the modernization of the PAF’s fleet and ensure the proper training of personnel in handling modern equipment,” he added.

Velasco promised the inclusion of the funds to buy brand new military cargo planes in July after a C-130 aircraft crashed in Sulu, killing at least 50 people, including military men.

“We acknowledge the importance of our uniformed personnel, as our dear President Duterte himself has done so several times. The least we can do is to ensure that this never happens again,” the House leader said.

KGA