Senators push to restore P10B slashed from AFP modernization budget

AFP MODERNIZATION PROGRAM: Sen. JV Ejercito, during the public hearing of the proposed 2023 budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) conducted by the Committee on Finance in this file photo taken on September 27, 2022. Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Some senators are pushing for the restoration of the P10-billion cut made by the lower chamber in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Revised Modernization Fund.

At the Senate’s Thursday deliberations on the proposed 2025 funding of the national defense’s budget, Sen. JV Ejercito brought up the matter.

“We have a duty to our troops who risk their lives, daily stand guard over our homeland, and we must ensure they have the resources and equipment to accomplish their mission,” said Ejercito in his manifestation.

According to Ejercito, if only the program was funded well, then the country would already be at the Horizon 3 of the AFP Modernization Program.

“But how wan we achieve this if our budget for modernization gets a yearly decrease?” Ejercito asked in Filipino.

“This investment in our national security is an investment to our future, our sovereignty, and most importantly to our men in uniform,” he added.

Ejercito said the country needs not to match its aggressors in terms of military might, but he noted that the Philippines needs to have a minimum credible defense posture and fully mission capable for territorial defense.

READ: Senate open to hike in AFP weapons fund

Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who was speaking on behalf of the Department of National Defense as the sponsor of the agency’s budget, said seven projects will be affected by the P10-billion budget cut.

Without going into detail, dela Rosa said these projects concern the following: cyber systems and projects for forward and support equipments and aviation engineering equipment, additional aircraft,  and joint tactical combat vehicles.