New Navy chief vows to have more training programs

By Alexis Romero

The Philippine Star, Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Navy chief Rear Adm. Alexander Pama yesterday vowed to implement training programs to enhance the competence of Navy personnel.

“In the area of competence, I would like to pay particular focus on educating and training our personnel in order to equip our sailors, Marines, airmen, seabees and support and maintenance personnel with new skill sets,” Pama said in a speech during the turnover rites the Navy headquarters in Manila.

“This is to prepare them to operate and maintain material assets that are newly acquired or those planned for acquisitions,” he added.

Pama said he will also focus on instilling discipline among members of the Navy and at the same time seek the upgrading of equipment.

Pama assumed his post as Navy chief yesterday in a change of command ceremony led by President Aquino.

Present were Vice President Jejomar Binay; Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Bia-zon, himself a former AFP chief; AFP chief of staff Ricardo David, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and Cavite Rep. Jose Emilio Abaya, among others.

Pama, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class ’79, succeeded Navy chief Rear Adm. Danilo Cortez, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

He had held important military positions like Navy vice commander, Navy inspector-general, and Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief.

He was also head of the Task Force Trillium, a joint military and police group formed to address the abduction incidents in Basilan. Pama also served as the commanding officer of six Navy vessels.

David, meanwhile, said the military would conduct a nationwide survey to determine the sentiments of the public toward the military.

He said the conduct of the survey is in line with the implementation of the new internal security plan “Bayanihan.”

The survey may be conducted in areas affected by insurgency and armed conflict like Davao, Caraga, Bicol, Negros, Samar, and Cotabato to determine the military’s weak points.The plan, which took effect last Jan. 1 and will be in force until 2016, focuses on development projects to address the roots of rebellion.

There were speculations that some ground commanders oppose the new security plan but the military leadership denied this.

Noynoy backs Navy upgrade

By Norman Bordadora

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Wednesday, January 5, 2011

President Aquino yesterday promised to back the Philippine Navy's desperately needed modernization but also called on the group to continue security the country's seas, particularly those that host ongoing petruleum exploration.

In his speech during the turnover of command from Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez to new Navy Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) Rear Admiral Alexander Pama, Mr. Aquino said these critical areas include the seas around Kalayaan Island Group, Malampaya, Palawan, Mapun and Sulu.

"I salute you on the accomplishment of your duty to protect our territory despite such obstacles as antiquated vessels and the lack of some important equipment. Be assured that your government will also work double time to come up with effective ways to improve these things and maintain the integrity of the Navy," President Aquino said.

"I am quite confident that while we strenghten your ranks and upgrade your equipment, you will continue to take care of the security of our seas especially in the areas of petroleum exploration in the Kalayaan Island Group, Malampaya, Palawan, Mapun and Sulu," he added.

President Aquino said the Navy's role in securing these areas is proof of its huge contribution not only in the country's security aspect

"but also in strengthening the potential of our national economy."

Before ending his prepared speech, Mr. Aquino turned spontaneous and said he was unpleasantly surprised when he learned that one of the two vessels tasked to patrol waters off Palawan was still running on outriggers.

"In one of the briefings on the Kalayaan Island Group, I was shocked- I know that we have a shortage of ships-(but) I was surprised when I learned that of two boats (in Palawan).. one of them still had outriggers," President Aquino said.

President Aquino said the Navy does not lack lobbyists for funding for more modern ships and equipment.

he mentioned former Marine commandant and now Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the House committee on national defense; former Navy officer Cavite Rep. Jun Abaya, chair of the house committee on appropriations; and Marine reservist Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Dagdag benepisyo sa mga sundalo pangako ni P'Noy

Taliba, Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Muling nangako ngayon ang Pangulong Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III na makakaasa ang mga sundalo ng karagdagang benepisyo maliban sa dinobleng combat pay.

Magugunitang simula ngayong Enero, mula sa dating P240, magiging P500 na ang kada araw na combat pay ng mga sundalong napapasabak sa operasyon.

Ginawa ng Pangulo ang talumpati kasabay ng turnover ceremony ng Philippine Navy leadership kung saan pormal nang umupo si Rear Adm. Alexander Pama bilang bagong Flag Officer in Command (FOIC) kapalit ng nagretirong si Rear Adm. Danilo Cortez.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na alam nitong kakarampot lamang ang naibigay na dagdag combat pay kaya patuloy sila sa paghahanap ng pondo para sa kanilang benepisyo.

Kabilang dito ang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan, pabahay at iba pang pangangailangan para mapataas ang morale ng mga sundalo.

Kasabay nito, todo-papuri naman ang Pangulo kay Cortez habang ipinaabot din nito ang pagtitiwala kay Pama na pamunuan ang Philippine Navy.

Nangako rin ito ng buong suporta sa bagong liderato ng Hukbong Pandagat.

"Pero kung may paraan naman po tayong dagdagan ang inyong benepisyo, bakit naman po namin ito ipagdadamot sa inyo, hindi po ba? At tuloy-tuloy na po ito. Mula sa armas, hanggang sa mga barko; mula sa mga benepisyong pangkalusugan, hanggang sa mga pabahay, titiyakin nating makakatanggap ng sapat na pabuya at sustento ang ating hukbong-dagat," ani Aquino.

Bagong navy chief, pormal nang nanungkulan

Saksi sa Balita, Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Pormal nang nanungkulan bilang bagong commander ng Philippine Navy si Rear Admiral Alexander Pama.

Pinalitan ni Pama ang nagretiro nang si Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez.

Si Pama ay miyembro ng Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class '79.

Ginanap ang turnover of command sa Phil. Navy headquarters sa Maynila na dinaluhan ni Pangulong Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Bago maging pinuno ng Navy, nagsilbi si Pama bilang vice commander ng Hukbong Pandagat at naging Naval Inspector General.

Naging kumander din ito ng Naval Forces sa Western Mindanao at ng Anti-Terrorism Task Group ng Philippine Navy.

Dati itong chief of staff ni dating Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro.

Samantala, kasabay naman ng kaniyang pagretiro ay ginawaran si Cortez ng Philippine Legion of Honor na may degree na commander.

Samantala, kasabay ng change of command ceremony, tiniyak ni Pangulong Aquino na susuportahan ang modernization program ng Phil. Navy.

Malaki aniya ang ginagampanang papel ng Hukbong Pandagat partikular sa pagbibigay proteksyon sa karagatan ng bansa partikular kung saan may mga oil exploration kagaya ng Kalayaan Group at Malampaya.