Philippine Navy to hold maritime exercises in La Union

By Mario J. Mallari

The Daily Tribune, Sunday, May 8, 2011

To enhance the interoperability of its active and reserve forces particularly on humanitarian operations like disaster response, the Navy will hold maritime exercises starting tomorrow in La Union province.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama cited the importance of Exercise “Pagsasama” 2011 in enhancing the interoperability of Navy forces, both active and reserve, various facets of maritime service.

“This exercise is of utmost importance to the Navy and maritime stakeholder interests as it reinforces the bond between the active and reservist Navy personnel, as well as other stakeholders toward a stable and progressive maritime environment,” Pama said.

“What is most significant in this year’s exercise is the fact that the reservists are actively involved in all four phases of the exercise – from planning, to execution, to termination, and evaluation of the event,” Pama added.

The Navy tapped three ships and 135 active personnel, complemented by 631 Navy reservists, for the exercises. Pama will lead the send off of the participating troops tomorrow.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said that the objective of this year’s exercise is to enhance interoperability of the regular and reserve forces through joint maritime and civil military operations by engaging maritime stakeholders in accordance with the military’s internal peace and security plan “Bayanihan”.

The exercise “Pagsasama” combines training, surface warfare, at-sea events and humanitarian assistance, and disaster response events.

It also includes pre-exercise activities such as cross-training, subject matter on expert-exchange, tactical maneuvers, shipboard evolutions for summer shipboard training cadets, civil military operations, communications equipment installation aboard participating ships, and logistics-provisions fill-up.

Likewise, the activity will include shore-based cross training exercise, at-sea fleet training exercise, a marine affiliated reserve combat service support battalion exercise, and a humanitarian assistance and disaster response simulation exercise.

The Daily Tribune

Navy to bid out feasibility study on military land lease

By Alexis Romero

The Philippine Star, Sunday, May 8, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy plans to hold a bidding on a contract to conduct a feasibility study on a plan to lease military land to bankroll its modernization program, Navy chief Vice Adm. Alexander Pama said in an interview Tuesday.

“We want to determine how to use these assets and how to optimize their benefits,” he said, adding that the bidding is open to firms engaged in consultancy and related services.

Pama said the need for a feasibility study was raised by the Navy Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Office, which was formed last March. “We are now in the process of finalizing the recommendations. We will conduct a feasibility study on the areas that may be covered by the PPP,” he said.

Pama said among the Navy assets that may be leased is the Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City. The naval station houses the Navy Sea Bees, the Navy Intelligence Security Force, the Navy finance center, and commissaries.

Pama said they have to secure the approval of the Department of National Defense before they can proceed with the bidding. The Navy has not set a timetable for the feasibility study but is hopeful that this would start within the year, he said.

“The law requires that we conduct a bidding. We cannot rush these things. We want to have complete transparency,” Pama said.

He said the Navy is still determining how much would be spent for the study, which “will be dependent on the terms to be discussed (with the winning bidder). We are now looking into the budget as well as the programs to be covered (by the study).”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act, which took effect in 1995, gave the military an opportunity to modernize its equipment and facilities in 15 years, with a total funding 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 budget deficit.

A private firm, Malaysian Resources Corp. Berhad, has submitted a proposal that would involve leasing a 33-hectare property at Fort Bonifacio.

The Navy has bared plans to set up a foundation that will gather assistance from private firms and individuals as it looks for resources to upgrade its capability. The Navy foundation will accept and consolidate all types of assistance extended by private donors.

Navy data indicate that out of the 53 patrol ships in the inventory, only 26 are operational. The average age of these ships is 36.4 years, though bigger vessels such as the minesweeper frigates are 66 years old while patrol craft escorts are 67 years old.

Only three 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 have an average age of 21.3 years.

Philstar.com

DavSur gov extends assistance to military hospital

by Carina L. Cayon

Philippine Information Agency, Sunday, May 8, 2011

DAVAO CITY, May 8 (PIA) – Governor Douglas Ra Cagas of Davao del Sur took part in the improvement of a military hospital this city with financial assistance of P295,000 for the construction of a ward room.

Nilda Aniñon, provincial information officer, bared that the governor donated the amount for an additional ward room in Panacan Station Hospital located at the city’s Naval Headquarters of the East Mindanao Command.

Aniñon said that the personal assistance was intended to deliver health services to the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the region.

The hospital room named after the governor would serve as treatment and comfort refuge for soldiers wounded from the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Mindanao, she said.

Aniñon said Cagas had no qualms donating from his own pocket, seeing the urgent need to extend health services for the soldiers and to support the program of the AFP.

She said that Philippine Navy deputy commander Capt. Romeo Santiago O. Nebres has stressed the AFP’s main campaign against insurgency which the official viewed as a problem to solve not only by the military, but also by the whole government.

“Our aim and objective is to win the peace rather than to win the war,” Aniñon quoted Nebres saying.

During a meeting with Cagas this March, Nebres thanked the governor for the assistance he extended to the military service.

Nebres has said that the local government is responsible of providing basic services to the people, while the military’s role is to conduct consultation, analysis and supplying the solution on the battle against insurgency.

(PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)

AFP joins the People’s Champ in fight against poverty

by Jell E. Guzman

Philippine Information Agency, Saturday, May 7, 2011

QUEZON CITY, May 7 (PIA) – Tomorrow, May 8, the whole nation will again be watching one of the biggest boxing match of the year.

And to show their support to their idol, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will have a free live viewing of the people’s champ and pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao’s fight against former world welterweight champ Sugar Shane Mosley.

Armed Forces chief Eduardo SL Oban Jr. said the AFP believes that what makes Manny’s fight more relevant to the people is not about winning another championship belt, but because his fight is a symbol of the Filipino’s battle against poverty.

“His fight implies that there is no greater victory than winning over poverty that breeds insurgency,” said Oban.

Oban also said that the AFP is one with the Filipino people in supporting Pacquiao, who is also a military reservist and continues to inspire thousands of Filipino soldiers who are ready to sacrifice their lives to win peace.

The free live viewing will be open to all AFP personnel, to include civilian personnel, retired soldiers, as well as their dependents and other viewers.

Venues will be at the AFP Wellness Center and at the AFP Grandstand in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City; Philippine Navy Multi-Purpose Hall at Roxas Boulevard, Manila; Philippine Army Gymnasium in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City; and at the Philippine Air Force Gymnasium at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Meanwhile, soldiers confined at the AFP Medical Center in V. Luna, Quezon City will also have a chance to watch the much-awaited boxing match at the V. Luna Auditorium.

At least 10,000 boxing enthusiasts are expected to watch the Pacquiao-Mosley fight in the different venues prepared by the AFP.

(AFP/RJB/JEG-PIA-NCR)