Positibo ang pagtanggap ng mga frontline agency na nagbabantay sa West Philippine Sea sa ginawang realignment ng pondo ng Kamara sa 2024 national budget.
Sa pulong ng House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea, sinabi ni Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela na ang realignment ng pondo ay makatutulong para mapalakas ang kanilang operational capability para mabantayan ang ating teritoryo.
“I think that the intention of the House of Representatives and the Senate to boost our funding would definitely support our operational capability in performing our role in the West Philippine Sea.” sabi ni Tarriela.
Ganito rin ang posisyon ng Department of Defense. Ayon kay Defense Usec. Ignacio Madriaga, hindi lang ito makatutulong sa pagbabantay ng West Philippine Sea ngunit sa kabuuan ng seguridad ng Pilipinas.
“Of course sir, any addition to our resources or allocation would be a welcome development for us and you can be sure sir that these additional resources will be put in to good use on defending our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction and our national integrity.” sabi ni Madriaga.
Aminado naman si Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzalez II, chair ng Komite na isang bahagi pa lamang ng budget process ang pagpasa ng 2024 General Appropriations Bill sa Kamara at dadaan pa aniya ito sa Senado.
Magkagayunman, pinasusumite nito ang mga frontline agency ng kanilang ‘wishlist’ o yung mga pinakamahahalagang programa o proyekto na may kaugnayan sa pagbabantay sa West Philippine Sea upang oras na isalang sa bicameral conference committee ang panukalang pambansang pondo ay matitiyak na mabibigyang prayoridad ang kagamitan para sa pagbabantay sa WPS.
“The budget for 2024 is still in progress…in the light of the fact that there was a decision of the House led by the honorable Speaker to realign certain confidential and intelligence fund of several agencies to concerns particularly of our capability and in protecting our right in the West Philippine Sea, may we suggest to you that as soon as possible, you communicate.” ani Gonzales.
“The combined amount may not be enough to cover all your needs so it is very important for us to know…which of these needs are more, in keeping to your immediate priorities….so that perhaps through the bicam we can make certain adjustments.” dagdag ng mambabatas.
Matatandaang sa 2024 GAB na ipinasa ng Kamara mayroong, P1.23 billion na realigned CIF kung saan karamihan ay napunta sa intelligence at security agencies gaya ng NICA, NSC, at PCG. | ulat ni Kathleen Jean Forbes
