Navy opens PPPO to leaseits assets for AFP modernization

By Mario J Mallari

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Navy leadership yesterday formally opened its Public-Private Partnership Office (PPPO) as part of the efforts to lease out some of its assets, which was supported by no less than the Commander in Chief President Aquino, to generate funds for its modernization.

Commodore Edgar Abogado, chief of the Naval Staff, presided over the formal activation of the PPPO, Naval Human Rights Office (NHRO), and the Navy’s Protocol Office (PNPO). Representatives from the Department of Finance joined the Navy command team during the ceremonies.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovani Carlos Bacordo said that the PPP Office is in line with the Navy’s initiative of leasing out some properties at the Navy Headquarters, Fort Bonifacio and other real estate in naval bases and stations in the country, to generate funds for its modernization.

It can be recalled that during his first State of the Nation Address in July 2010, President Aquino advocated the Navy’s plan for public-private partnership.

“Funds generated from this venture will finance the acquisition of modern ships and equipment for sailors and marines,” said Bacordo.

On the other hand, Bacordo said that cognizant of the importance of human rights and its preservation, the Navy also activated the HRO as called for by the military’s internal peace and security plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” for the promotion of human rights.

“The office aims to safeguard and ensure that human rights of the people and Navy personnel, as well as of its stakeholders are well-respected and preserved,” said Bacordo.

Before yesterday’s ceremony, Bacordo said that the HRO has already distributed copies of the HR handbook among PN personnel to educate them on human rights issues.

Meanwhile, the PN Protocol Office will be handling protocol and etiquette matters. It is envisioned to preserve customs, traditions, and ideals of the Navy.

“The discipline and high character it promotes will ensure precision in personal habits and daily living worthy of naval profession,” said Abogado.

In his keynote speech, Abogado congratulated the new heads of the three offices and expressed his confidence on their performance.

“I know there will be difficulties and birthpains in handling these offices but with the managerial expertise and competence that you embody, I am certain that you will surpass them all,” he said.

Abogado also exhorted Navy personnel to accord their support and coordination to the newly created offices. “Let us all remember that we are all working for the attainment for a similar goal, which is to have a strong and credible Navy that our maritime nation can be proud of.”

Navy activates 3 new offices

By Alexis Romero

The Philippine Star, Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Navy activated yesterday three new offices including a body that will study proposals on how to tap the private sector to fund its modernization program.

Navy spokesman Capt. Giovanni Bacordo said activated were the Public-Private Partnership Office (PPPO), the Naval Human Rights Office, and the Philippine Navy Protocol Office.

Bacordo said the PPPO is in line with the government’s plan to lease some of its properties to support its capability upgrade program.

“The PPPO will study the proposals of the proponents. It will assess the plans related to the public-private partnership,” he told The STAR in a phone interview.

Bacordo said the PPPO will be led by the Navy vice commander, a post currently held in an acting capacity by Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Jose Luis Alano.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act, which took effect in 1995, has given the military the opportunity to modernize in 15 years with a total fund of P331 billion.

More than 16 years have passed since the law was enacted but critics said the AFP is not even close to a modern battle force. The delay in the implementation of the law has been attributed to lack of state funds.

During his first State of the Nation Address last July, President Aquino said he is studying a proposal to lease military lots to support AFP modernization.

He said this will allow the military to procure equipment without bloating the deficit, which is expected to hit P290 billion this year.

At least six firms have expressed interest in the project, including Malaysian Resources Corp. Berhad, which submitted a proposal that would involve the lease of a 33-hectare property at Fort Bonifacio.

Navy data showed that out of the 53 patrol ships in the inventory, only 25 are operational. These patrol ships are of the average age of 36.4 years old. The bigger of these vessels like the minesweeper frigates and patrol craft escorts are 66 and 67 years, old respectively.

Only two of the seven Navy transport vessels are operational and are already 15 years old. The non-operational vessels are 64 years old.

On the other hand, only four of the 10 Navy auxiliary ships are operational. From among the 32 small crafts, 23 are operational and are of an average age of 21.3 years old.

The Navy also activated its Human Rights Office in compliance with the military’s policy to educate troops about existing humanitarian laws.

“The office aims to safeguard and ensure that human rights of the people and Navy personnel, as well as of its stakeholders are well-respected and preserved,” Bacordo said.

The office will be headed by Lt. Col. Jesulito Calimag.

On the other hand, the Protocol Office will be tasked “to preserve customs, traditions, and ideals” of the Navy.

The office, which aims to promote discipline among Navy personnel, will be led by Cmdr. Carlos Sabarre.

Aquino leads WWII bombs disposal exercise in Tarlac

Manila Bulletin, Saturday, March 5, 2011

President Benigno S. Aquino III led Saturday the culmination of the joint explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) exercise for World War II ordnances in Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac.

President Aquino detonated the last two pallets of 287-pound Mk 6 depth charges and two pallets of 190-pound Mk 9 depth charges using radio firing device. He led the last phase of the exercise triggering the explosion of 2,000- pound explosive composed of antisubmarine explosives. Also present during the exercise was United States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas.

Saturday’s event was part of an agreement between the Philippines and the U.S. government after President Aquino met U.S. President Barack Obama last year. The President asked the U.S. leader to assist the Philippines in getting rid of the bombs that puts civilian population at risk.

The ordnance disposal exercise was spearheaded by the Philippines Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) in collaboration with the U.S. military.

Representatives from other services of the Philippine armed forces also joined the Navy in disposing the bombs.

The President commended the Armed Forces and all the personnel involved in the activity for safely disposing of the ordnances, completing the job way ahead of schedule.

The target date for completion was March 26, but they managed to complete it on March 5.

The exercise is the last phase of the ordnance disposal that started February 9 in Crow Valley in Tarlac where more than 4,000 pieces of World War II ordnances were detonated.

President Aquino said the safe disposal of the World War II leftover was very important to ensure public safety. The vintage ordnances were originally stored in Caballo Island in Cavite and experts said a detonation could trigger a domino-effect type of explosion that could be very destructive within 32-kilometer radius.

“There was a danger that an unattended explosion could detonate roughly about 400,000 pounds of explosives. I was told that the blast area for that would be something like 30 square kilometers that would affect portions of Cavite, Bataan and even the NCR [National Capital Region]. Hence, the need to adequately dispose of the same materials,” the President said.

The ordnance disposal had three phases: stabilization and rendering of the ordnances, segregation and pallet placements at Caballo Island from January 20 to February 4, 2011.

Under the second phase, the U.S. government hired a commercial landing craft tank to transport the bombs from Caballo Island to Crow Valley. The third phase was the safe detonation of the bombs.

The Philippines still suffers from environmental damage from World War II and the post-war U.S. military presence in the country aside from the unexploded munitions as a result of conflict in Mindanao and the communist insurgency.

Until now there are occasional reports on discoveries of these bombs and deaths appear to occur from time to time from such incidents.

Detonation of World War II bombs

The Philippine Star, Sunday, March 6, 2011

President Aquino uses a radio firing device to detonate World War II bombs and other explosives at the Crow Valley Range in Capas, Tarlac yesterday.