Aquino Cites Improvements in the Navy’s Capabilities

(PIA) —The Philippine Navy’s (PN) 118th year of resolute service to the nation was marked on Wednesday, June 1, in an unprecedented celebration aboard PN’s newly-commissioned vessel, with President Benigno S. Aquino III as the guest of honor and keynote speaker.

Aquino, in his speech, cited the improvements in the Navy’s capabilities in the last six years funded by the P60.14 billion released for the modernization of the AFP.

Aquino said under the AFP modernization program, the Navy has acquired five Naval Helicopters and three Multi-Purpose Attack Craft, while other assets including two Frigates, two Anti-Submarine Warfare Capable Helicopters, and the third Weather High Endurance Cutter are also coming soon.

The Philippine Navy’s anniversary celebration this year was made highly monumental by the simultaneous commissioning of its new Landing Dock (LD) vessel, the Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Tarlac, and christening of the three additional and newly-acquired Landing Craft Heavy vessels.

BRP Tarlac is the first of the two amphibious LD vessels of the Philippine Navy. The ship is considered to be the largest in the ship inventory of the PN with its overall length of 123 meters, width of 21 meters and payload capacity of 2,800 tons. It is named after one of the eight provinces which revolted against the Spaniards during the colonization period.

On the other hand, the three LCHs are the supplementary vessels procured by the government along with the two of the same kind that were previously donated by the Australian Government.

They were christened as BRPs Waray (LC288), after the group of people hardest hit by Typhoon Yolanda; Iwak (LC289),named after an ethnic group in Nueva Viscaya province with the least number of population; and Agta (LC290), named after the endangered ethnic tribe in Southern Luzon.

Aquino said, the newly acquired assets will boost the Navy’s capability in transporting personnel, equipment and aid during humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations. “They will also be useful in transporting troops from one operational area to another,” Aquino said.

Aside from showcasing new assets, PN’s outstanding officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees were honored and given recognition for serving with honor and excellence, and being proactive and innovative even in the face of meager resources or imminent threats.

Meanwhile, Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Caesar C. Taccad expressed his gratitude to President Aquino for supporting the Navy.

“Under your leadership, the navy saw an unprecedented momentum in the upgrade of our capability since the modernization program started,”Taccad said.

“Year after year, we saw the outpouring of support as our government acquired more and more assets, platforms, and hardwares to boost our navy’s capability,” Taccad added. (PIA-NCR/RJB/SDL)