President Benigno Aquino III has proposed to set PHP 115.5 billion or 2.6 Billion 2015
defense budget, which is a 29 percent increase of the 2014 budget for the AFP
modernization.
According to a government statement, the proposed budget was announced on July 30 -
amounts to 4.4% of total government expenses for 2015 and 0.8% of GDP. The
defense budget includes PHP100 billion from yearly government expenses and
PHP15 billion saved for the procurement of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program. AFP would be
acquiring more modernly warcraft equipment to enhance the military defense
program.
Aquino said that among the targets for the
AFP modernization is the intentional acquisition of eight Bell combat utility
helicopters and two anti-submarine helicopters. Aquino said that the Acquision
will continue until two years of his terms.
Of the PHP100 billion budget, the Philippine Army will receive the
highest amount which is PHP41.2 billion, while the next is a Philippine Air
Force and Philippine Navy which have been allotted PHP14.6 billion and PHP13.3
billion separately.
