BCDA contributes P34 B to AFP in last 5 years

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority said it has contributed P34.2 billion to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) over the past five years of the Duterte administration.

During the "Talk to the People" by President Duterte, BCDA CEO and President Vince Dizon reported that to date they have collected P48 billion, eclipsing the contribution of the past previous administrations.

Dizon proudly said that BCDA’s P48 billion collection during the Duterte administration up to present is the “highest of any administration since its creation by far, and almost double that of the previous administration.” BCDA has been in existence for the last 27 years.

Of this amount, Dizon stressed that P34.2 billion were given to the AFP. He said that such contribution is also the highest by far and even eclipsing the BCDA contribution to the AFP from 1993 to 2010.

He even noted that this already represents 52 percent of total contribution of BCDA since its inception 27 years ago. “Only in the five years of Duterte administration,” said Dizon pointed out.

Of the total P34.2 billion contribution to the AFP, P10 billion were spent for the replication of affected military facilities of the Navy, the Army and the Air Force. The bulk of P24.3 billion went directly the AFP modernization fund.

Dizon further said that when the former Davao became the country’s CEO in 2016, BCDA Chairman renewed the agency’s mandate to help the AFP while building great cities.

Dizon also said that the Duterte administration focused on the development of Clark “after years of neglect.”

He reported that phase one of the Clark City is already complete. Some of the completed structures include the Aquatic Center where several foreign swimming teams have already been using for their training, the New Clark City Athletics Stadium, and the Clark International Airport terminal, among others.

In addition, he said, more government national agencies have submitted their interest to start relocating their offices inside the proposed government center in Clark.