Filipino Crew of Donated Korean Corvette Departing this Month

10 Januari 2019

South Korean Pohang-class corvette ROKS Chungju (PCC-762) (photo : Reddit)

Philippine Navy personnel who will man the donated South Korean Pohang-class corvette, formerly ROKS Chungju (PCC-762), are expected to depart within this month to train in South Korea. Training may be completed March or April.

The information was stated by Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said at the sidelines of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 2019 New Year’s Call held at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City January 8.

Empedrad said that when delivered, the said corvette may help BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) in patrol missions while BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-15) is undergoing repairs.

“Okay lang naman ‘yung dalawa, gumagana naman yung dalawa. And then this March, makukuha na natin ‘yung corvette [donated] by South Korea so baka ma-deliver na yun. Papunta na kasi ‘yung personnel natin for training by January, so kung March or April matatapos meron na tayong gagamitin,” Empedrad said.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in June 2018 approved the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) worth PHP250 million to cover expenses for the transfer of decommissioned Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Pohang-class corvette to the Philippine Navy.

“Release of funds to cover the transfer of Pohang Class Corvette (PCC-762) to the Philippine Navy from the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea (MND-ROK) under the Revised AFP Modernization Program,” the DBM said as the purpose of SARO.

In July 2018, the Philippine Navy initiated the procurement project, divided into 3 lots, to procure relevant requirements for the transfer of said corvette.

Lot 1 with Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) of 24,719,628.09 million pesos is dedicated for procurement of Supply and Delivery of Logistical Requirements.

Lot 2 with ABC of 26,060,400.60 million pesos is dedicated for procurement of Supply and Installation of weapons, communication, electronics information system (WCEIS) Requirements.

Lot 3 with ABC of 118,909,802.54 million pesos is dedicated for procurement of Machinery and Other Related Repair.

(Mintfo)