More flexibility for defense chief, not clipped power

We wish to clarify some of the points raised in the article titled, “Duterte order curbs defense chief’s power on contracts” (News, 4/19/17).

Executive Order No. 18 does not “clip” the power of the defense secretary to engage in defense procurement, as the title of the article suggests. On the contrary, it gives the defense secretary more flexibility to exercise supervision over the procurement process.

EO 18 amended EO 235 which provides that the defense secretary may only delegate to the Armed Forces of the Philippines the authority to approve procurement projects that cost below P50 million. Beyond that amount, procurement projects must be elevated to the Department of National Defense for approval. With AFP projects amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos based on actual requirements, the P50-million cap has become unrealistic, making the procurement process cumbersome; in effect, it holds back the AFP from performing missions which are now at an increased operational tempo.

EO 18, on the other hand, will enable the defense establishment to fast-track its procurement process, especially for materiel that are badly needed by the operating units in the field. In fact, the defense department initiated the repeal of EO 235 to give the defense secretary the authority to increase the procurement ceiling on projects that can be undertaken at the level of the AFP or its major services, based on its operational and day-to-day requirements.

At this point, we can assure the public that all processes in the DND are in accordance with the law, particularly Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003 and RA 10349 or the Revised AFP Modernization Act.

ARSENIO R. ANDOLONG, chief, Public Affairs Service, Department of National Defense