The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of National Defense (DND) aim to strengthen their public information capabilities by enhancing information exchange and linkages among them.
In a message read during the 26th AFP Forum hosted by the BCDA, former Defense Secretary and current BCDA Chairman Delfin N. Lorenzana stressed the significance of government communicators, especially in the defense and security sectors, as “bearers of truthful and accurate information”.
“We highlight the crucial role of public information officers in communicating to our stakeholders our commitment to help build a community that is peaceful, secure and livable through the support of a strong and reliable armed forces,” pointed the BCDA Chairman.
Over 90 public affairs and information officers from the DND and AFP, led by DND Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, participated during the forum with the purpose of hearing updates on BCDA’s current efforts to contribute to the AFP Modernization and on its replication projects for the military.
“The BCDA is all about helping strengthen the Armed Forces while building great communities, like Bonifacio Global City,” said BCDA President and CEO Aileen R. Zosa. She added that by building recurring revenues through these developments, BCDA will be more conscious in generating revenues for the modernization of the AFP and expediting the completion of much-needed military facilities.
Representing the AFP’s Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Deputy Chief-of-Staff (DCS) MGen. Gabriel Viray, CMO Assistant DCS BGen. Fermin Carangan expressed appreciation to BCDA for organizing the forum that generated constructive dialogue among the attendees.
“[This opportunity] enhances engagement and exchange of information geared towards the achievement of common goals and interests,” BGen Carangan said, reading MGen Viray’s prepared message.
As a testament to its mandate, BCDA in 2022 contributed a total of Php7.206 billion to the AFP or Php4.562 billion higher compared to the 2021 remittance of Php2.644 billion. Of BCDA’s gross disposition proceeds from 1993-2022, 42 percent or Php 56.40 billion is allocated to the AFP for its modernization program, giving a boost to military forces who respond to crises and defend the country against all threats.
Other than contributions to the AFP Modernization Program, the BCDA also provides support by modernizing military facilities as part of its replication program. In 2022, the BCDA turned over modern facilities to the Army Support Command of the Philippine Army, in a bid to relocate the unit’s headquarters in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac.
‘Big boost to AFP readiness’
CMO Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff BGen. Fermin Carangan expressed his gratitude to the BCDA for its invaluable contribution to the military’s modernization.
“As our partner, the contribution of BCDA is a big boost to our readiness to perform our mandates. Moreover, key impact projects such as New Clark City are definitely a step in the right direction of our goal of providing better services for the Filipino people,” said BGen. Carangan during the 26th AFP Forum.
Led by DND Spokesperson Andolong, members of public affairs and public information offices of the DND and the AFP also toured around the sports facilities and disaster-resilient government center within New Clark City to stay informed and updated on the existing and future developments in zones where BCDA operates.
