The AFP will continue to support legislative initiatives to amend and improve some provisions in RA 7898. House Bill 3260, in particular, shall greatly improve the financing challenges experienced by the program. HB 3260 will not only guarantee sustainable source of funds for the program but also allow for the predictability in program planning. Moreover, it will make the modernization effort a continuing program, and not merely for a fifteen (15) year period. It will ensure the unhampered upgrading of AFP capabilities and sustain its ability to meet evolving national security threats. Furthermore, it will allow for a simplified defense acquisition system which shall be separate and distinct from the procurement system applicable to other departments of the government.

The AFP plans to transition its strategic actions from internal defense to  territorial defense. It shall prioritize the multi-role naval and air assets to support combat troops; and, to protect and preserve the territorial waters and the air space against intrusion. Acquisition planning therefore will have to be anchored on the Defense System of Management or DSOM. Big ticket acquisitions shall be coursed through the Multi-Year Obligation Authority.

The previous assumptions used in the modernization plan approved under the Joint Resolution No 28 are already outdated and may no longer hold true for today’s changing role of the military. There is an imperative need to review the existing Modernization Master Plan to be relevant with the current affairs of  the  State. A more responsive master plan is therefore necessary to place into consideration the changing context of defense and security challenges of the times.

The AFP shall continue to monitor the transfer of the P1.3 Billion interest earned by the trust fund from Bureau of Treasury to the AFPMATF.

Adequate attention shall be given to the other 4 components of the program to complement the acquisition of hardware materials and in support to other AFP capability development efforts. Along with this, a review of the organizational structure of AFPMPMO to address the five components will also be undertaken in line with the observations of the Commission on Audit. Also, there will be a review of the existing policies and SOPs related to its implementation, especially in the assignment of and incentives for PMT membership, the functions and responsibilities of the various stakeholders, and the creation of contracting office for the program. Assignment of dedicated lawyers to the program will also be prioritized. Legal issues often arise in BSSD, particularly in titling and land use. Also, contract negotiation and formulation for the acquisition of sophisticated defense products such as ships, aircraft, and combat fighting systems, among others, require specialized skills appropriate for lawyers alone.