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PHL Gov't Dispatches Humanitarian Ship to Ferry Back Filipinos in Lahad Datu

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=500936

MANILA, Feb. 24 (PNA) -- A ship on a humanitarian mission will be dispatched Sunday evening to fetch and ferry back the women and other civilians among the 180-member group who are holed out in Lahad Datu, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

The ship, with hull number AT296, will sail from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi to the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu.The DFA said the ship is being prepositioned offshore Lahad Datu while talks with the group are underway.There are reportedly some 180 individuals in the group, including some 30 armed escorts.Onboard the ship are Filipino-Muslim leaders as well as social workers and medical personnel.

"We sent the ship to Lahad Datu on a humanitarian mission. We are deeply concerned about the presence of five women and other civilians in the group, and we urge them to board the ship without delay and return home," said DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario.
 
I don't know why, but I think there's some minor movements from certain parties in Phil government that don't want to strengthen PN's military capability. PN condition now is similar to Indonesia in 2000-2004, certain powerful people just didn't want to let Indonesia become strong because it may disturb their personal interest, so they blunted almost every acquisition by Indonesian Military Forces. Things changed after former army general Mr. Yudhoyono took office in 2004.

Does Mr. Aquino have any military background?
Nope, he doesn’t have any military background.

That is a sad fact. It starts at the high ranked military officials who failed and lost their true purpose. They’re just in it for the money and that’s the reason why our current military is weak. I just hope President Aquino can get rid of those corrupt officials. By the way I’m actually impressed the way Indonesian military rapidly expands. President Yudhoyono is doing a great job.

Dont get me wrong i love new ship its just it takes months to build anything can happen having 4 fully armed ship in the Philippines would make the people think about attacking us but now we are as open as sexy girl walking on street full of rapist.
It takes approximately 5 years to build new frigate ‘cos its very engineering complex and carefully build. That’s why they can’t rush thing out without proper testing. Although I also prefer the brand new ships, pero sa situation natin ngayon na tlagang kailangang kailangan ng Navy natin sa threat ng China na yan kaya dapat we should still consider that Maestrale. Dagdag nalang sana yung brand new ships kung gusto nila.
 
Navy SOG undergo rigid training at Sangley Point

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Members of the Philippine Navy's Special Operations Group (SOG) use their heads to carry a rubber boat as part of their skills and stamina training exercise in Sangley Point, Cavite.

Navy SOG undergo rigid training at Sangley Point | GMA News Online

P2.268-trillion budget eyed for next year

NEXT YEAR’S national budget has been capped at P2.268 trillion, 13% higher than this year’s P2.006 trillion as the government gears up to support a targeted 6.5-7.5% economic growth rate.

National Budget Memorandum 116, dated Feb. 15, details the macroeconomic assumptions, fiscal targets and department ceilings to be used in setting next year’s expenditure plans.

The proposed 2014 ceiling is P262.1 billion more than this year’s budget, which assumed gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6-7%.

The economy expanded by 6.6% last year, rebounding from the lackluster 3.9% posted in 2011 and also well past the government’s 5-6% target and its 6.5% outlook. It is expected to perform better in 2014.

By sector, agriculture could grow by 3.3-4.3% in 2014, slightly slower than the 3.5-4.5% expected for this year but higher than last year’s 2.92%.

The medium-term growth, the budget memorandum notes, will be fueled by the government’s food sufficiency program.

"Livestock and poultry expansions will be supported by the infrastructure support system, promotion of feed substitutes, and expansion of export opportunities," it states.

Industry, meanwhile, is projected to grow by 7.4-8.6% in 2014, up from this year’s 6.6-7.6% outlook and 2012’s 6.5%.

The services sector, lastly, is expected to expand by 6.5-7.4%, up from the 6.3-7.3% outlook for this year and at par with the 7.4% growth posted last year. It is expected to be driven mainly by transportation, tourism and the real estate sectors.

Other assumptions detailed in the memorandum are gross national income growth of 5.8-6.8%, up from the 5.5-6.5% expected this year and last year’s actual rate of 5.8%; inflation staying within 3-5%; a 364-day Treasury bill rate of 2-4%; and a peso-dollar exchange rate of P42-45 per US dollar -- all unchanged from this year.

The budget memorandum notes that risks to inflation remain "broadly balanced" despite lingering concerns over the weak global economic environment.

Interest rates and the peso, meanwhile, will be supported by the domestic economy’s resilience and will be influenced by developments in the government’s fiscal position and the central bank’s policy stance, as well as the expectation of a steady stream of capital inflows and remittances.

On the fiscal side, the budget deficit is expected to settle at 2% of GDP this year and next year, in line with the government’s medium-term fiscal consolidation program.

In nominal terms, the 2014 budget gap was capped at P266.2 billion, slightly wider than this year’s P238-billion ceiling.

The deficit was capped at P279.1 billion or 2.6% of GDP last year, but preliminary figures released two weeks ago showed that the deficit likely settled at just P253.3 billion or 2.2% of the economy.

A 16% increase in 2014 revenue collections to P2.025 trillion will be targeted, equivalent to a revenue effort of 15.2%, up from this year’s 14.7% programmed ratio.

"The increase will be strongly buoyed by the expected increase in BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) tax effort by 0.4 percentage point from 10.5% to 10.9%, to include the estimated incremental revenues in the amount of P42.9 billion from the proceeds of the sin tax reform law," the memorandum states.

Government spending, meanwhile, will rise to P2.291 trillion or 17.2% of GDP in 2014 from this year’s P1.984-trillion program or 16.7% of the economy.

"This is a considerable expansion of 15.5% or P307.5 billion from the 2013 outlook, to enable increased investments in infrastructure, in good governance and anti-corruption, in building human capabilities especially of the poor, through quality education, public health care and housing and in climate change adaptation measures fundamental requirements for the country’s competitiveness and development," the memorandum states.

National debt as a percentage of GDP is also expected to contract gradually by an average of 1.2 percentage points annually from the 50.9% in 2011 to a projected 46.2% in 2014.

The total budget for government agencies has been tentatively capped at P1.049 trillion, with the Department of Education again given the highest ceiling of P255.15 billion, albeit slightly lower than its approved allocation this year of P293.32 billion.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was second at P189.295 billion, followed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which was assigned P92.215 billion and the Department of National Defense (DND) at P81.78 billion.

Other departments given sizeable caps for next year were Social Welfare (P66.878 billion), Health (P51.756 billion) and Agriculture (P48.33 billion). - See more at: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=P2.268-trillion-budget-eyed-for-next-year&id=66344#sthash.uEJj1rYu.dpuf
 
No secondhand frigates–DND

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THE Philippines will only settle for brand-new frigates for the Philippine Navy (PN), Defense Undersecretary for Finance, Munitions, Installation and Materiel Fernando Manalo said.

Manalo told reporters that the department has dropped the option to acquire secondhand frigates in boosting the numbers and capabilities of the Navy.

“The PN found out that it will be more expensive to maintain second-hand vessel than buying a new one,” Manalo said.

He explained that this move was based on evaluation and studies made by the Department of National Defense (DND) and PN.

This option would prompt the government to drop the “Maestrale” frigates from Italy from its targeted acquisition.

“It’s [an option] no longer being evaluated,” said Manalo. The DND earlier said they are looking at buying the Maestrale frigates, noting its missile and anti-submarine capabilities.

According to the Naval Technology web site, the Fincantieri-Cantieri Navali SpA built the Maestrale class frigates for the Italian Navy (Marina Militare).

“The first ship in the class, Maestrale [F570], was launched in February 1981 and commissioned in March 1982. Four frigates were commissioned in 1983 and the rest of the fleet was commissioned by May 1985.”

Last year Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin was reported as saying that the Philippines is negotiating with the Italian government for the purchase of two Maestrale class anti-submarine frigates worth P11.7 billion ($292.5 million at $1=P40).

But last week, Manalo said the Philippines is now looking for newly built naval ships with the same configuration.

The DND earlier said it is shopping around for two naval ships with “frigate capabilities” and that several countries have sent offers.

Vessels being offered by the United States, Israel, Croatia, South Korea and Australia are brand new.

An Armed Forces of the Philippines official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said South Korea is a strong contender among the countries.

BusinessMirror - No secondhand frigates
 
Nope, he doesn’t have any military background.

That is a sad fact. It starts at the high ranked military officials who failed and lost their true purpose. They’re just in it for the money and that’s the reason why our current military is weak. I just hope President Aquino can get rid of those corrupt officials. By the way I’m actually impressed the way Indonesian military rapidly expands. President Yudhoyono is doing a great job.

Are they involved in some kind of business? Because depending financial glory on government salaries is unlikely for people who pursue money.

It is not that rapid actually, the Indonesian Military Forces were underfunded for 12 years due to financial crisis that hampered Indonesia in 1998, now that the economy is back on the track, the government is simply replacing what's lost during the past 12 years. There's no major acquisition like in early 60's, 70's, and 90's. The plan of expanding military capability will be held in 2015, as the Minimum Essential Force Phase II will be in effect.
 
Well no his just a gun enthusiast ever since he got shot when he was young by coup plotters in her mother Presidency in 1980s he started to train with guns maybe it left something in him to train to protect himself any his great grandfather (general in the Philippine Revolution and Philippine American War) and his father (Reserve Officer in the Philippine Navy) who have some military background. Well its a damn shame really i was looking forward to see those two ships in navy i predicted some names for the two ships like BRP Jose Ignacio Paua (Chinese General in the Phil Revolution) and the BRP Jose Torres Bugallon (major great field officer of General Luna Brigade) Or the Founder of the Philippine Navy Gen Pascual Ledesma or that Cuban fellow calling himself the Admiral of the Philippine Navy Vicente Catalan or Visayan Generals for a change like Aniceto Lacson, Pantaleon Villegas, The Magbuna brothers Pascual Magbanua and Elias Magbanua maybe their sister Teresa Magbanua she fought three wars for the Philippines (Philippine Revolution/ Philippine American war and non combat capacity in World War 2) or Arcadio Maxilom from Cebu or maybe someone from Mindanao like General Vicente Alvarez of Zamboaga or Colonel Apolinar Velez or the Guys who donated their ships to make the the first fleet of the first Philippine Navy Leon Apacible, Manuel Lopez and Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio who donated the Taaleño, the Balayan, the Bulusan, the Taal and the Purísima Concepción. Man i a lot of names to pick too bad.

Dont get me wrong i love new ship its just it takes months to build anything can happen having 4 fully armed ship in the Philippines would make the people think about attacking us but now we are as open as sexy girl walking on street full of rapist.

What I mean with military background is whether Mr. Acquino was in the armed forces or wasn't. Usually, former generals have better minds in planning and organizing things regarding military expansion.

Anyway, new ships will take approximately 3 to 5 years to build, rearming used ship is a good decision though. What do you think of it? I mean, what do you think about the absent of considerably newer ships like Maestrale during the hard time like this when PN is in needs of ships?
 
What I mean with military background is whether Mr. Acquino was in the armed forces or wasn't. Usually, former generals have better minds in planning and organizing things regarding military expansion.

Anyway, new ships will take approximately 3 to 5 years to build, rearming used ship is a good decision though. What do you think of it? I mean, what do you think about the absent of considerably newer ships like Maestrale during the hard time like this when PN is in needs of ships?

Well the guys in DND decided otherwise its a pain and lack of foresight on their part about President Aquino i think ROTC(reserve officers training course) back in his time in school was not elective as National service course it was mandatory so that is close as military background unlike his dad who was a reserve office in the Philippine Navy well his family has a long history with the military Great Grandfather was (General and representative in the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine American War) which only few know being a democratic icon most folks hate the military because of Martial law so i hope that answers your question beside that his a gun enthusiast.
 
Well the guys in DND decided otherwise its a pain and lack of foresight on their part about President Aquino i think ROTC(reserve officers training course) back in his time in school was not elective as National service course it was mandatory so that is close as military background unlike his dad who was a reserve office in the Philippine Navy well his family has a long history with the military Great Grandfather was (General and representative in the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine American War) which only few know being a democratic icon most folks hate the military because of Martial law so i hope that answers your question beside that his a gun enthusiast.

I see, thanks for the explanation bro.
 
South Korean defense manufacturer signifies interest to provide DND's frigate requirements

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MANILA, March 2 (PNA) -- A South Korean defense manufacturer is now talking with the Department of National Defense (DND) regarding its requirements for two brandnew frigates.

A DND observer said that the company is offering the Philippines varieties of the "Incheon" class frigates.

"Some initial talks are now being held and hopefully, the company will get a chance to bid for our frigate requirements," he stressed.

He also pointed out that talks with the South Korean defense manufacturer came about when the DND decided to not go ahead with the planned purchase of the Italian "Maestrale" frigates due to questions of cost and hull aging.

The "Incheon" are coastal defense frigates of the Republic of Korea Navy with its lead ship launched on April 29, 2011.

The "Incheon" class frigates will replace the aging fleet of "Pohang" class corvettes and "Ulsan" class frigates, and take over multi-role operations such as coast patrol, anti-submarine warfare and transport support.

Later batches are planned to be specialized on anti-air and anti-submarine warfare.

"Incheon" class frigates are armed with the 127mm/L62 Mk. 45 Mod 4 naval gun.

Point-defense armaments include a single 20 mm Phalanx CIWS and a RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile Block 1 21-round launcher.

Anti-Submarine Warfare armaments consists of K745 LW Cheong Sahng-uh (Blue Shark) torpedoes.

Its anti-ship capability is provided by 16 SSM-700K Hae Sung (Sea Star) long-range anti-ship missile, each with performance similar to the US Harpoon while land-attack capability is provided by the recently-developed Hyunmoo IIIC (Guardian of the Northern Sky) cruise missile, which is similar to the US Tomahawk.

It has a length of 374 feet, speed of 30 knots, capable of carrying a naval helicopter and a complement of 140 officers and men.

"Incheon" frigates weigh around 3,000 tons and has cruising range of 5,000 miles. (PNA)
FPV/PFN

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=502983
 
Nope, he doesn’t have any military background.

That is a sad fact. It starts at the high ranked military officials who failed and lost their true purpose. They’re just in it for the money and that’s the reason why our current military is weak. I just hope President Aquino can get rid of those corrupt officials. By the way I’m actually impressed the way Indonesian military rapidly expands. President Yudhoyono is doing a great job.




It takes approximately 5 years to build new frigate ‘cos its very engineering complex and carefully build. That’s why they can’t rush thing out without proper testing. Although I also prefer the brand new ships, pero sa situation natin ngayon na tlagang kailangang kailangan ng Navy natin sa threat ng China na yan kaya dapat we should still consider that Maestrale. Dagdag nalang sana yung brand new ships kung gusto nila.

Am thanking about building a block for the ships sir correction
 
Are they involved in some kind of business? Because depending financial glory on government salaries is unlikely for people who pursue money.

It is not that rapid actually, the Indonesian Military Forces were underfunded for 12 years due to financial crisis that hampered Indonesia in 1998, now that the economy is back on the track, the government is simply replacing what's lost during the past 12 years. There's no major acquisition like in early 60's, 70's, and 90's. The plan of expanding military capability will be held in 2015, as the Minimum Essential Force Phase II will be in effect.
Some of them act as protectors or doers of illegal acts such as illegal logging, smuggling, gambling, etc. This AFP modernization program was already publicized during President Ramos term but never came to fruition. A case in point is - fund misuse of the proceeds of the sale of vast military lands wherein the proceeds should have gone to the modernization of the Armed Forces. It's about time the President to stop this culture of corruption among Generals.

Anyway I’m still impressed by your Armed Forces. To me it looks like Indonesia is already on major military build-up with equipment arriving one after another. I'm happy that a neighbor and a country that is so very friendly to us develop its capabilities. That is what you call determination. :cheers:





World Bank hails Philippines transparency effort
Monday 4th of March 2013

DAVAO CITY, Mar. 4 (PIA) -- Billed as the Philippines efficient and cost-effective project management tool, the World Bank (WB) recently cited the government’s use of geo-tagging technology in its effort for a transparent and corrupt-free government.

An article bannered in their Washington-based website (www.worldbank.org), said that the use of geo-tagging technology in the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) second Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP2) has made project monitoring in far-flung places become more transparent and easier to access with the help of a new technology that allows pictures and videos to be geo-tagged.

“The geo-tagging process involves attaching location-specific information such as geographical coordinates to pictures, videos, and even SMS messages. Users would need a GPS-enabled phone and internet connection to upload multimedia to a web-based application such as Google, which provides the platform to geo-tag at no cost,” the article said.

MRDP is long-term poverty alleviation initiative in Mindanao with a total funding of $127 million coming from the $83.752 million loan from the WB and the equity share of the national government and its 225 covered municipalities.

“As we implement projects in the six regions of Mindanao, we constantly faced challenges of accessibility, manpower, resources and security concerns,” said the WB article quoting deputy program director Arnel V. De Mesa.

“With the use of technology our project team and even country officials and donors agency can validate, monitor and evaluate actual progress on the ground without having to travel to hard-to-access locations and areas with high security risk,” De Mesa said.

“The learning curve of geo-tagging is not that long, and the beauty of it is anyone can learn the ropes. Even the young ones who are exposed to smartphones nowadays can easily do it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Program Director Lealyn A. Ramos said that the department is proud that WB has given recognition to their efforts of heeding the challenge of President Benigno S. Aquino III's tuwid na daan (straight path) and inclusive growth when the latter commenced his administration in 2010.

“We take pride in this effort as this involve majority of the people of Mindanao, local chief executives of our LGU partners and even community folk who support the advocacy on transparent government and accountable stakeholders in the project implementation,” Ramos said.

Cost-efficient and transparent

The WB article described the technology as cost-efficient since it saves risky travel to high-risk and hard-to-reach areas; it has easy reference as donors, implementing agencies, contractors and other partners are provided with useful information about its sub-projects such as exact locations, dates of operation, land areas, distance covered and where they are situated in relation to other landmarks in the area as seen in www.damrdp.net, the website of MRDP2.

Further, it is transparent as it allows citizens to better monitor the bidding and procurement process and other information like invitations to bid for projects, it is also available on the maps for the benefit of prospective bidders.

The WB cited MRDP’s innovative use of the technology as the first among government agencies in the Philippines, and among the pioneers in the East Asia and the Pacific region being served by the Bank. As the pioneering group in the country, MRDP team is leading efforts to train their co-workers within the agency and outside the department on the use of geo-tagging for project management.

Award winning program
The Philippine National Economic and Development Authority through its “Good Practice Award” recently hailed MRDP for applying geo-tagging technology in “resolving recurrent issues in project implementation.”

“We really wanted to show that we’re doing something for good governance and transparency,” De Mesa said. (Sherwin B. Manual/DA-MRDP/PIA-Caraga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1701362369527
 
South Korean defense manufacturer signifies interest to provide DND's frigate requirements

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MANILA, March 2 (PNA) -- A South Korean defense manufacturer is now talking with the Department of National Defense (DND) regarding its requirements for two brandnew frigates.
16 SSM missiles!? not.... just 8 ( 2 quadruple launchers)
 
Some of them act as protectors or doers of illegal acts such as illegal logging, smuggling, gambling, etc. This AFP modernization program was already publicized during President Ramos term but never came to fruition. A case in point is - fund misuse of the proceeds of the sale of vast military lands wherein the proceeds should have gone to the modernization of the Armed Forces. It's about time the President to stop this culture of corruption among Generals.

Anyway I’m still impressed by your Armed Forces. To me it looks like Indonesia is already on major military build-up with equipment arriving one after another. I'm happy that a neighbor and a country that is so very friendly to us develop its capabilities. That is what you call determination. :cheers:


I think the best way to stop it is to impose one door dealing, like Russia with its Rosoboronexport. So the Armed Forces have no access for businesses.

Vielen dank brur, :tup: we both have to expand our military capability, I'm impressed to note that Philippines and PN was a formidable economy and navy in Asia back in 50's 60's.

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That was when we have the American bases here those stupid client commies from the Chinese and Soviet Union had their way.
 

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