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DND drafting EO on military lots' conversion

Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star

January 23, 2013 | 4:06pm

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) will draft an executive order (EO) that will pave way for the development of more than 100,000 hectares of military lots, an official announced Wednesday.

DND Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said the EO would outline the â€œconvergence initiative,â€ which seeks to involve the private sector in making the lots productive.

â€œThe EO requires coordination with other agencies. If you include them in the executive order, you should get their comments and they should know their responsibilities,â€ Manalo told reporters.

The initiative seeks to generate funds to support the militaryâ€™s modernization program, maintenance and sustainability expenses.

â€œThe DND should help generate funds. The DND should be an industry itself and create resources to support its programs,â€ Manalo said in a meeting with government officials and businessmen.

Manalo said the military reservations may be developed for agro-industrial projects, commercial or mixed use, eco-tourism, sports facilities, renewable energy, and ship building.

The implementing rules of the convergence initiative are still being crafted. Manalo could not say how much can be generated from the projects.

He said among the military installations being eyed for development are parts of Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon, Bonifacio Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Camp Hernandez in Iloilo and parts of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

â€œThey (lots being considered) are still being used but the utilization is limited,â€ Manalo said.

He said the EO would have to be crafted within six months as this would outline the policy that would govern the initiative.

The DND seeks to create wealth for the military and veterans in the next three years. Manalo said the long-term goal of the convergence initiative is to make the military a sustainable bureau in five to 10 years.

Manalo admitted that the goals set for the project are ambitious.

â€œIf the long term goal is not achieved due to the huge requirement of the armed forces, we will be happy if we are able to achieve a certain percentage,â€ he said.

The DND said the initiative can open opportunities for a national greening program, agribusiness including the production of coffee, bamboo, avocado, cassava, castor oil, corn and rice, maritime industry, the aerospace industry including the establishment of repair facilities for the Air Forceâ€™s assets, guns and ammunition production, infrastructure development, golf management, and production of alternative fuel and renewable energy.

â€œThe entire Philippines will benefit from the employment to be generated. The income to be generated by joint ventures will be shared by the investor and the armed forces,â€ Manalo said.

Manalo said some business groups have expressed interest to look into the project. He said. These groups include the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nestle, San Miguel Corp. Mitsui, Eastern Petroleum and Metro Pacific.