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Monday, November 22, 2004
PMA is one of RP's 'wisest investments'
By Jane Cadalig
THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) remains to be one of the government's "wisest investments," Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz said Sunday.
This, despite recent developments that tagged the premier military institution as the "Philippine Millionaire's Academy".
Cruz said he would support structural reforms in the PMA should these be finalized. "I am supportive of PMA, (it) being the cradle ground of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). We need to sustain the improvements of this institution. (For one), PMA has become a national treasure and it is, until now, still Asia's premier military institution," he added, saying that PMA is also one of the government's "wisest investments," with an allocated budget of P2 million each for a cadet's four-year study and training.
He said that just like any other educational institutions, there is also a need to revitalize PMA's operations.
The proposals include the extension of the term of the academy's superintendent, and the request for an improved budget of the PMA.
Cruz, who was accorded full honors during his first visit to the academy as defense secretary Sunday, told reporters the proposed three-year extension is necessary to give ample time for a superintendent to implement his programs.
Meanwhile, the DND chief also emphasized the need to set institutional, structural and systemic reforms that would "deprive the opportunity for some to commit graft and corruption" in the defense and military institutions.
Among the major thrusts discussed include the implementation of the Philippine Defense Reform Program (PDRP) envisioned to "re-engineer the systems and re-tool" the personnel of the Department of National Defense and the AFP.
Cruz said the PDRP is a product of a thorough assessment of the defense and military establishments geared towards sustaining a long-term balance among the forces and personnel; equipment, systems, and facilities; and training operations and sustenance.
"These improvements are based on templates for defense reform that have been tried and tested in several countries that have undertaken similar reforms measures in the past," Cruz said.
The improvement of operational and training capacity of the AFP will be a high priority of the program, which according to Cruz, would address the backlog of the basic training for the AFP.
Improvement of logistics capacity, which involves the enhancement of operational readiness and reliability rates for all platforms and weapons systems and the logistics efficiency of key AFP systems, is also one of the major areas of improvement under the PDRP.
The PDRP would also focus on increasing the capability of the AFP to conduct civil military operations by supporting the construction of "Affirmative Action Roads" that will facilitate the entry of economic enterprises in conflict areas.
Also included in the PDRP is the development of accurate baseline data on critical AFP functional areas. Cruz said such is necessary to readily identify management and operational deficiencies.
"Accurate baseline data will provide the basis for key assessments that will serve as basis for action plans that will be developed for the AFP to execute," Cruz explained.
He revealed that P4 billion a year is needed to fund the PDR that is currently being implemented.
Another major AFP reform program is the six-year capability upgrade program aimed to boost the AFP's capabilities in areas such as mobility, firepower, communications, force protection and combat life support.
Cruz reported the AFP has already unveiled three refurbished UH-IH helicopters, which were acquired from Singapore. "These will increase our air assets and air capabilities."
He also said by the end of 2004, two forward field hospitals would be in placed to address the immediate medical needs of wounded soldiers.
Cruz said funding for these programs are allotted from the General Appropriations Act and assistance from the US.
(November 22, 2004 issue)
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