MANILA: Institutional amendments that will provide the “much-needed boost” to the country’s defensive posture in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are included in the ratified 2024 General Appropriations Act.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Tuesday that an additional budget of PHP10.47 billion to upgrade the country’s defense capabilities and enhance presence in the WPS is part of the PHP5.768 trillion 2024 budget.
‘As we have learned from the constant bullying and aggression of China against Filipino fishermen and our protectors in the WPS and our exclusive economic zone, we badly need to upgrade our capabilities in patrolling our seas,’ Zubiri said.
He assured that PHP6.17 billion has been added to the budget of the Department of National Defense for the Philippine Navy, PHP2.8 billion for the Philippine Coast Guard, PHP1 billion for the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and PHP500 million for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The funds, Zubiri said, will be used f
or the purchase of additional patrol ships and other defense equipment.
‘Our brave Coast Guard and Navy, even with their limited mobility and equipment, are not wanting in courage and bravery in standing up to their Chinese oppressors. I say to you, take heart because your Congress sees your situation and has done its part to address the deficiency,’ he said.
‘You have been an inspiration to us all by giving us a much-needed boost in our own courage and bravery. Ipinagmamalaki namin kayo! At bilang pagkilala sa ipinamalas ninyong kabayanihan at katapangan, pinondohan ng inyong Kongreso ang modernisasyon ng inyong hanay (We are proud of you! And as an acknowledgement of your heroism and bravery, your Congress funded your modernization),’ he added.
Zubiri noted that the 2024 national budget also includes funds for the establishment of a Marine Research Center in the islands of the WPS that will be under the control and management of the DENR.
The research centers are envisioned to bolster the Philippines’ r
ights to the islands in the WPS as well as its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as upheld in 2016 by the ruling of the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration.
‘We hope that this boost in funds for the purchase of additional patrol ships and defense equipment will also boost the morale of our brave Coast Guard and soldiers in protecting our EEZ,’ Zubiri said.
Boosting defense posture
On Monday, Senate Bill No. 2455, also known as the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, was approved to empower the country in manufacturing its own weapons, fostering the development of the defense industry and reducing dependence on foreign allies.
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa said the measure is a testament of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to protect Philippine territory.
“Our sovereignty and freedom would be best defended by us and us alone. While we welcome friendly nations to come to our rescue in times of international tensions and territorial conflicts, we should not always be dependent on
our allies in furthering our national interests,” Dela Rosa said during the plenary discussion.
“The weapons we accept as donations or purchase from foreign nations, no doubt, may be of good service to our troops. However, our locally-made defense products have proven to us that with adequate support from the government, Filipino-made products can also be world-class,” he added.
Having its own reliable domestic supply of defense equipment, Dela Rosa said Filipinos will have peace of mind in crafting their own defense weapons and further develop the defense industry.
Source: Philippines News Agency
