The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) does not have any allocation to purchase additional weapons next year.

During Thursday’s budget deliberation, Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. said the P40 billion allocated for the AFP Modernization Program under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP) will be used to pay multi-year obligations.

“Yung P40B modernization budget namin for 2023 ay pambayad po namin sa ating mga multi-year contracts and obligations,” said Faustino in response to the question of Baguio City Rep. Mark Go.

Faustino said if the budget trend continues, the AFP will not be able to procure new armaments in the next two to three years.

“Kung mananatili po itong trend na ito sa susunod na dalawa hanggang tatlong taon ay wala po tayong mabibili na bagong kagamitan,” Faustino added.

Faustino also said that the DND will need an additional P75 billion to jump-start Horizon 3 or the third part of the revised modernization program that will be carried out from 2023 to 2028.

Horizon 1 started in 2013 and ended in 2017 and covers the acquisition of Del Pilar-class frigates, FA-50PH light-lift interim fighters, and strategic sealift vessels, among others.

The previous administration has allotted P300 billion for the Horizon 2 for the procurement of multiple-launch rocket systems, light tanks, armored recovery vehicles, multi-role fighter aircraft, frigates, and offshore patrol vessels.

The DND requested a P628 billion budget for 2023 but the Department of Budget and Management only provided them P310.8 billion under the 2023 NEP.



Magbabayad muna ng utang: No AFP budget to buy new weapons next year
Source: Philippines Clips