Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday, May 9 urged the Philippine Navy to shelve its plans to procure submarines under its military program. While he supports having a stronger Navy fleet, Escudero said it would not be practical to acquire these when the government has a limited budget. “I am for a stronger Navy. I am a great fan of our sailors. But the reality is we cannot realize our submarine dreams if what we have is a salbabida (lifebuoy) budget,” Escudero said. “Perhaps when our finances improve, then we can give the Navy the ships it deserves. Sabi nga, ‘a rising tide raises all ships…With economic buoyancy comes the ability to buy more Navy ships,” he said. The Department of National Defense (DND) had earlier announced it is pushing its plans to acquire submarines in the back burner due to limited government funds. The DND, during the previous administration of then president Rodrigo Duterte, had planned to purchase at least two submarines which is estimated to cost about US$1.2-billion or about P70-billion. “Insofar as the planned purchase of two diesel-electric attack submarines for a reported total price tag of P70 billion, I think this should be shelved at the moment,” he said. “And to their credit, the Navy command said the purchase of these assets can wait,” he pointed out. In the meantime, Escudero said the government should consider acquiring locally-made ships, like floating hospitals, rescue boats that would aid people and towns hit by typhoons, which are getting frequent and stronger. He said it is best that the government increase its inventory of boats which can be used for disaster response and relief. “One good suggestion is to commission the building of multipurpose vessels which can serve as floating hospital, barracks of rescue workers, cargo bay for rescue equipment, emergency power plant, food pantry,” he said. Doing so he said would ensure that rescue personnel would have sufficient shelter and won't have to compete with locals. The boats, on the other hand, can be built and outfitted by local shipbuilders and, thus, help the economy by creating jobs, he said.