Australia – Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (SOFVA) Approved! DFA, AFP Cheers!

Department of Foreign Affairs and the military on Tuesday welcomed the Senate's concurrence with the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with Australia.

The Senate has passed on third reading the resolution seeking to ratify the visiting forces agreement between the two countries.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomes the ratification of the SOVFA by the Senate. Australia is a key ally in this part of the region. SOVFA is mutually beneficial to both countries armed forces," Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr, military spokesman said.

"It will further strengthen bilateral ties as we upgrade our soldiers' knowledge and skils particularly in the conduct of HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster response)."

Burgos added this would strengthen "bilateral relationship" with Australia in view of "mutually contributing in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region" as the Philippines gears towards a minimum credible defense capability and reliable disaster response capacity.

The DFA described the agreement as "another milestone in the Philippine-Australian relations," saying it will lead to enhanced cooperation in capacity-building and training of armed forces between the two countries.

"While the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] on Cooperative Defense Activities serves as the framework for bilateral defense and military cooperation, the SOVFA paves the way for enhanced cooperation in capacity-building and training of armed forces, interoperability to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, counter-terrorism, border security, and maritime security," the statement said.

The statement said Australia had been assisting the Philippines in strengthening its maritime security capability with initiatives such as the Coast Watch South project and the joint Maritime Training Activity LUMBAS.

"These initiatives are expected to be further expanded and strengthened under the SOVFA," the statement added.

Senators voted 17-1 to ratify the SOVFA between the Philippines and Australia on third and final reading on Tuesday (July 24, 2012)

Inquirer.net 

Continue reading

NEDA Approves ₱48 Billion Infra Projects in Luzon

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) has approved two major infrastructure projects with a combined project cost of approximately P48.12 billion.

The ICC, which is among the seven inter-agency committees of the NEDA Board, evaluates the fiscal, monetary and balance-of-payments implications of major national projects.

In a statement, the ICC said it approved the 47.018-kilometer, Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) project and the Bicol International Airport Project.

The CALAX project, with an estimated project cost of ₱43.319 billion, involves the financing, design and construction of a new four-lane expressway that stretches from the end of Cavite Expressway in Kawit, Cavite to Mamplasan Interchange of the South Luzon Expressway in Biñan, Laguna.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the project would partly be financed through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), and partly through official development assistance (ODA) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Department of Public Works and Highways is the project's proponent.

"The project is consistent with the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016's transport sector objective of providing dependable access to production areas such as Cavite and Laguna, being rapidly growing industrial and commercial centers south of Metro Manila," Balicasan added.

Meanwhile, the Bicol International Airport Project, with a project cost of ₱4.799 billion, involves the construction of a new domestic – principal Class 1 airport of international standards in Daraga, Albay. It will replace the existing Legazpi Airport due to the latter's limitations and safety concerns.

Balisacan said the project would improve safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. The construction of a new airport in Albay would meet international standards and practices, as well as enhance the accessibility of tourism destinations in the Bicol region.

The project also involves the construction of landside and airside facilities, passenger and cargo terminal buildings and related facilities/equipment, security and navigational aids equipment, detailed engineering design and land acquisition for the airport compound.

The project would source its funding from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) budget.

PhilSTAR

Continue reading