Gov't launches defense transformation roadmap

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government launched today a 14-year master plan for the transformation of the defense department.

President Benigno S. Aquino III witnessed the unveiling of the Philippine Defense Transformation Roadmap 2028 during the 75th anniversary of the Department of National Defense (DND) in the military's Camp Aguinaldo headquarters in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

He said the roadmap will serve as a master plan to ensure that all the department's initiatives would be fully implemented.

"Under this comprehensive plan, the roadmaps of all the attached agencies of the DND should be in sync with each other so that the transformation of our defense department will be fully realized," he said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and its three major services - Army, Navy and Air Force - are under the DND.

Among the DND's programs are the modernization of the armed forces, the provision of housing units for military personnel, and fixing of the pension system.