Chaff Decoys or flares are fired from the BRP Antonio Luna during the Philippine Navy capability demonstration off the coast of Zambales on May 19, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN, PPA pool/file

MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday before the Senate that the P10 billion-cut in the modernization fund of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will affect the implementation of 7 projects.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, principal sponsor of the DND's budget, said among those that will be affected are cyber systems and equipment-related projects.

"Mr. President, not to be very much specific, these are projects concerning cyber systems and projects for forward support equipment and aviation engineering equipment, additional aircraft, joint tactical combat vehicle, aircraft, joint tactical combat vehicles, and radar-based support systems," he said.

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Dela Rosa has been urging the Senate to restore the P10 billion cut by the House of Representatives from the original P50 billion modernization fund in DND's budget for 2025.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito meanwhile lamented the delays in the military modernization.

"Just for the record, Mr. President, as of October 2024, there are still 17 remaining projects under Horizon 1. There are 75 projects under Horizon 2 and 37 projects are under Horizon 3. So kung mababawasan pa tayo ng 10 billion, another 7 would be added," he said. 

Dela Rosa however explained that the Horizon 1 is almost complete.

"For Horizon 1, we are already 99% complete. So, it is composed of 53 projects and it can be 100%. Itong remaining 1% will be completed by 2026. And for Horizon 2, we are already 23% complete. And it will be 56% complete by 2029. And it is composed of 98 projects. Medyo mas marami kasi ito. Kaya ang completion rate is medyo bagal but still we expect by 2029 magiging 56% rito," the senator said.

"And for Horizon 3, right now, ang timeline na pag-uusapan natin nasa Horizon 3 na tayo because Horizon 3 is 2023 to 2027 but still we are zero completion rate. Because this year lang na-approve yung Horizon 3, this year lang. So, wala pa tayong nagawa," Dela Rosa added.

He added that Horizon 2 concerns the defense of the West Philippine Sea.

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This prompted Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros to persuade lawmakers to prioritize the modernization program.

"Well, salamat sa importanteng input na yan, good sponsor. Kung ang Horizon 2 pala ay nakatutok sa West Philippine Sea, and yet, gaya ng nasabi ng Good Sponsor kanina, doon yung pinakamaraming delayed pa na proyekto, I think that should awaken a greater sense of urgency sa atin dito sa buong Kongreso," she said. 

"If we are asking na maback-up-an talaga yung ating political and diplomatic moves ng self-reliant defense posture, ng credible defense posture, kailangan talaga mag-catch up, mag-keep an eye on tayo sa Senado at ang House, mag-catch up talaga sa Horizon 2 para sa West Philippine Sea objectives natin," Hontiveros said.

Dela Rosa said once Horizon 2 is done, the country can focus on the defense of the entire nation.

"[Kapag] mag-Horizon 3 na tayo, hindi na lang 'yung West Philippine Sea ang tutukan sa Horizon 3 kundi total defense concept na. 'Yung pati yung Eastern Seaboard natin at saka yung ating Southern Southern Backdoor... Southern Backdoor kasama na diyan sa Horizon 3," he explained.

Hontiveros also asked how the international ties of the country is being utilized for defense, saying "Ukraine was able to build up its capability by entering into agreements with sympathetic nations. Tayo po, good sponsor, paano natin tinitake advantage of 'yung supportang na na-develop natin internationally, Mr. President?" 

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"So we are now in the process of making arrangements with the US. We are going to sign a general security of military information agreement which will allow us access to higher capability and real-time information. And with this, it will open the doors for us accessing similar capabilities of sympathetic countries," Dela Rosa responded.

The DND meantime disclosed plans for a portion of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to be converted into a naval base of the Philippine Navy. 

"They are awaiting the signature of the president for that presidential proclamation, making a portion of SBMA as their naval base," Dela Rosa said.