AFP golf courses eyed as big source of funds

MANILA, Philippines — With the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon, the government may opt to privatize military-controlled golf courses in Metro Manila to generate needed revenues in its fight against the coronavirus disease.

“If President Duterte is looking for government assets to sell in order to help fund a stimulus package in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, he could start by auctioning off the golf courses at Camp Aguinaldo, Villamor Air Base and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center,” said Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, according to gmanewsonline.

The government had sold golf courses in the past, including the Fort Bonifacio Golf Club in 1992, which is now part of the sprawling and upscale Bonifacio Global City.

In 2011, the Department of National Defense has mulled the possible lease or sale of the golf courses to support the military’s modernization program and pension of the retirees. But the plan didn’t push through.

President Duterte last week said he would consider selling government assets to sustain the battle against COVID-19.

“Pag naubos talaga ang pera, ipagbili ko lahat ng propiyedad ng gobyerno. Kapag wala na akong makuha and we are about to sink, and really sink, I will sell all the assets of the government, tapos itulong ko sa tao,” he said.