A congressional leader on Thursday lauded Speaker Lord Allan Velasco for his commitment to include in the 2022 national budget the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
“We join Speaker Velasco in his efforts to help the PAF upgrade and modernize its aircraft fleet to prevent military aviation accidents and unnecessary non-combat casualties in the future,” House Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera said.
Velasco earlier vowed to include in next year’s national budget the modernization of PAF’s fleet after one of its C-130 planes crashed in Jolo, killing 52 people and injuring 44 others.
Herrera said a well-funded AFP modernization program will ensure the safety of Filipino soldiers whose lives are put at stake in order to serve the Philippines and its people.
“It is important for us in Congress to make sure that sufficient funds are available for the AFP’s modernization priorities,” Herrera said.
“It is high time that we modernize the military’s hardware and equipment, particularly its aircraft.”
Herrera, meanwhile, offered her heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of soldiers and civilians who died in the Jolo military plane crash.
“While our hearts are filled with sorrow for the supreme price they paid, we acknowledge with a sense of gratitude to them their selfless services to the Filipino nation,” Herrera said.
“We pray that this kind of national tragedy will never happen again,” she added.