Shipbuilding Issues 2016
Has the AFP or the Phil. Navy ever made a feasibility study complete with projections of the benefits of the ship building industry in terms of generating capital for the economy and jobs for the people?
PN
Expanding Military Budget Prompts Philippines Defense Procurement Event
Upcoming presidential elections in Philippines and a 9.2% increase in the country’s defense budget sees National Coast Watch Council Secretariat, Office Of The President partnering with IQPC Asia to host the inaugural Maritime Security & Coastal Surveillance Philippines in June 2016.
Some thoughts on the AFP Modernization Program
Only very recently, President Obama said China must adhere to international law for the sake of peace and stability in the South China Sea (Vietnam) and the West Philippine Sea (RP). The Pacifi c Area Command head, Admiral Harry Harris, referred to the aggressive reclamation work by China on the reefs as a “Great Wall of Sand”. These artificial islands…
The Maritime Breakfast Forum 100, 101 and 102…
On March 20, 2015, the MBF marked its 100th forum, a milestone hosted by VADM. Jesus Millan and RADM. Ronald Mercado, and held at the Philippine Navy Headquarters. The 100th, 101st and 102nd MBF Fora discussed at length, among others, China’s dredging, reclamation, and construction activities in the disputed islands located in the West Philippine Sea.
Reinventing Maritime History
Many columnists from time to time mention the observation that we are a ‘fractured nation’ for many reasons. For one, some say that we suffer from colonial mentality, that we forgot our roots and readily accepted what our colonial masters dished out to us. On the other hand, there is an opposite syndrome, and that is to falsely claim historical…
Maritime League to hold 1st Philippine International Maritime Conference and Exhibition
The Maritime League, a non-profit Filipino maritime foundation in cooperation with both the government and maritime stakeholders in the country is organizing a 2-days maritime event dubbed the 1st Philippines International Maritime Conference and Exhibition (PIMCE 2011) this November 14 to 15. With the theme “The Philippines – A land of Maritime Opportunity”, the event is aimed at providing venue…
The Philippine Navy should plan to procure locally now
In the last issue we talked about the departure of the Philippine Navy contingent that was going to San Diego in connection with the PN’s acquiring the USCG Cutter Hamilton and some concerns expressed by some in the PN forum interested in development of the Navy. The update on this is that the PN contingent would take over officially on…
Extended Waterfront Development Needed: Part IV
In a third issue I outlined three more issues that have not been addressed from a macro viewpoint: The Manila Bay-Cavite Wetlands, Pollution, solid waste and sewage control, and Solving the solid waste dilemma: the Tokyo Bay and other models. I now wish to address a project that I might con- sider close to my heart, having been the General…