by Charissa Luci
The government is allocating P35 billion for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program next year, including the purchase of 12 fighter aircraft, two long-range patrol aircraft, two frigates, and radar systems.
The budget is part of the proposed P158.86-billion budget of the Department of the National Defense (DND) for 2016.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the DND’s budget for next year is 11.6 percent more than the 2015 budget of P142.30 billion.
Defense Undersecretary for Finance, Munitions and Material Fernando Manalo said that of the P35-billion modernization fund, P10 billion is unprogrammed.
“The utilization of this amount will be to pay the multi-year obligational authority for the 30 projects approved by the President,” Manalo told the House Committee on Appropriations after Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security, asked him to clarify the budget.
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