THE Senate passed on third and final reading Monday a bill seeking to a relax a provision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act on the purchase of major equipment or weapon system.
"The highly, tedious, circuitous and complicated procurement process of the AFP thwarts the full implementation of the law," Trillanes, author and sponsor of Senate Bill 2269, said.
The bill provides that the acquisition of air force, navy and army equipment and material of such types and quantities shall be made in accordance with the need to develop AFP capabilities, pursuant to its modernization objectives.
He said Section 4(B) requires that no major equipment or weapon system shall be purchased if the same is not being used by the armed forces in the country of origin or if the same is not used by the armed forces of at least two countries.
Trillanes said the SB 2269 would amend the provision by allowing the purchase of major equipment or weapons system provided that the same is being used by the armed forces in the country of origin or used by the armed forces of at least one country.
"It is hoped that by relaxing the requirement, the acquisition process of the AFP can be unclogged, if not expedited, thereby hastening the implementation of the law," Trillanes said.
Senate President Franklin Drilon said the bill was part of the Senate's efforts "to improve the capabilities of the nation's armed forces by ensuring the speedy and efficient provision of military equipment and supplies so urgently needed by our fighting men and women."
Signed in 2012, Republic Act 10349 extends the comprehensive efforts to modernize the armed forces for another 15 years and to introduce needed reforms.
Since then, Trillanes said a total of 36 modernization projects worth P41.2 billion have been completed.
(SunStar)
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