Photo courtesy: Armed Forces of the Philippines
Contributions of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the Duterte administration has reached a record-high of Php 25.01 billion, surpassing the contributions made by previous administrations for the modernization of the military.
BCDA’s total contributions to the AFP from 2017 to 2021 is Php 12 billion higher compared to the Php 13.01 billion recorded during the Aquino administration. It likewise exceeded by Php 6.64 billion the Php 18.38 billion cumulative contributions made by previous administrations from 1993 to 2010.
For 2021, alone, the BCDA’s contribution to the AFP has reached Php 7.2 billion. This will be remitted to the National Treasury this April.
Since its creation 30 years ago, the BCDA’s contributions to the AFP have reached Php 56.4 billion, representing the biggest chunk or 44.21% of the total asset disposition proceeds from 1993 to 2021 amounting to Php 127.55 billion.
“Despite challenges brought about by the pandemic, the BCDA continued to perform well and generate much-needed income from its asset disposition efforts. Aggressive policies taken to resolve long-standing disputes over properties or with business partners also played part in the BCDA’s excellent collection efforts during the Duterte administration. This, in turn, translated to higher contributions to our beneficiary agencies and stakeholders, especially our military forces,” BCDA Officer-in-Charge President and CEO Atty. Aristotle B. Batuhan said.
He added, “As the BCDA celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, we are committed to generating even more funds to strengthen the AFP and enable it to achieve its goal of becoming a world-class armed forces that is a source of national pride.”
Pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act, signed by former President Corazon Aquino on March 13, 1992, the BCDA generates income from the sale, lease or joint venture arrangements with private sector partners in former military camps in Metro Manila.
Portions of these proceeds are remitted to the Bureau of the Treasury every year, which are then allocated and distributed by the Department of Budget and Management to the AFP and other beneficiary agencies.
“We assure our stakeholders, including the AFP, that their share from our asset disposition proceeds are remitted to the national government every year, without fail, in compliance with laws and regulations,” Batuhan said.
The BCDA’s contributions to the AFP consist of two components—contributions for the AFP Modernization Program and the replication of military facilities.
Just last week, the BCDA turned over modern facilities to the Army Support Command of the Philippine Army, as part of efforts to relocate the unit’s headquarters in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac.
The BCDA is also currently building the Special and Technical Staff building for the Special Service Center and Division Administrative Command Center at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, while gearing up for the relocation of the Philippine Marine Corps’ headquarters to Bataan Technology Park in Morong, Bataan.
