Defence budget boost for 2024 to fortify national security, claims Philippine House Speaker

Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the Speaker of the House, expressed steadfast support on behalf of the House of Representatives towards heightened defence budget for the proposed US$114 billion (P5.768 trillion) 2024 national budget, signifying a leap in governmental focus on fortifying national territorial security.

“Unflinching in our promise to shield our territorial integrity and to guarantee our citizens’ safety, it’s imperative for our nation to take the initiative in boosting our defence abilities and guaranteeing sufficient resources for the effective safeguarding of our sovereign rights,” Romualdez communicated.

He elaborated that the upcoming defence budget for 2024 proposes a defence sector allocation worth US$5.6 billion (P282.7 billion), witnessing a year-on-year surge of 21.6% in comparison to the preceding US$4 billion (P203.4 billion) allocation for 2023.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr relayed that the proposed P282.7 billion was allocated to support the Defence Programs of Land, Air, and Naval Forces, accounting for a stunning sum of US$3.7 billion (P188.5 billion) further bolstered by contributions towards the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission amongst other initiatives, to assure domestic tranquillity.

Romualdez bolstered his commitment, “This allocation is a testament to our unwavering dedication to sustain a formidable and credible defence stance, which resonates a clear message that we stand uncompromising in protecting our national interests.”

With added emphasis, Romualdez detailed, “A robust defence function is not a mere tool of contention, but rather a means to propagate peace, stability, and uphold the rule of law.”

In addition to this substantial increase in defence spending, Romualdez pledged to back the diplomatic measures that the government was employing regarding the unsettling incident near Ayungin Shoal, which occurred on August 5.

The Department of Foreign Affairs took a stern stance by issuing a note verbale that vehemently protested against the deplorable act of the China Coast Guard vessel using a water cannon to attack a supply boat on a military resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal reported Manila Times.

Parallelly, France Castro, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Representative urged House leaders on Tuesday to reconsider the confidential fund allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) earmarking it instead for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“In the proposed P5.768 trillion 2024 national budget, the OVP has been allocated an impressive US$10 million (P500 million) in confidential funds. If the OVP is so passionately concerned about national security, it should willingly support the reallocation of its P500 million in favour of the PCG,” asserted Castro.

Responding to Castro’s proposition, the OVP stated that “the matter of the confidential funds be best decided upon by the collective wisdom of the entire House of Representatives and Senate members.”

On the same note, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, during an interview with ANC’s ‘Headstart’ showcased that since 2009, the PCG has been systematically allotted an intelligence fund worth US$200,000 (P10 million annually).

Tarriela expressed the need for the Philippine Coast Guard to receive a larger intelligence fund to support their operations, considering current happenings in the West Philippine Sea, encompassing maritime safety and environmental protection.