MORE than three fourths of the total 96 projects under the Horizon 2 or the second phase of the military’s modernization program have been completed, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana reported on Thursday.
Appearing at the government’s news briefing Laging Handa, the defense chief said the projects identified under the second phase with a total budget of P427.7 billion were achieved since their contracts have been signed.
“This Horizon 2 worth P427.7 billion is already on track, a lot was completed,” he said, adding, “96 projects were programmed and more than three fourths have been completed.”
Lorenzana said that the contracts for equipment that have not been delivered yet “have been signed and are on track for delivery even if we are no longer here.”
The Department of National Defense (DND) top brass, he said, is also hoping that the contract for the procurement of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Philippine Navy would be signed before the Duterte administration leaves office on June 30.
The signing of the OPVs contract with Australian shipbuilder Austal was scuttled by the DND, as earlier disclosed by Lorenzana due to the contractor’s costing changes.
During the same briefing, the defense secretary described the current situation in the West Philippine Sea as “calm” and “stable,” with China’s attack of a supply vessel with water cannon as the last reported incident in the area.
While Chinese vessels prowl the Kalayaan Island Group and the WPS, Lorenzana said China has not taken any new “territory” in the WPS since Duterte became the president.
He said the Philippines is conducting more patrols in the areas, and ships from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources are also present there.
The defense secretary said the United States of America and Japan also offered assistance to the Philippines over the WPS, but he told their officials during recent meetings that the country is managing the issue well with Beijing.
He said the country’s relations with the US remain strong as he does not see any need for a trilateral agreement among the three countries, including Japan.
Lorenzana said the US has separate defense treaties with Tokyo and Manila.