Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.1363

Introduced by: HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill aims to recommission decommissioned helicopters and aircrafts in the
inventory of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to maintain a strong and efficient
modern defense that aims to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial
integrities from internal and external threats, including natural disasters.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is a constitutional body that is mandated to
protect the people and the State to uphold the country’s sovereignty. In 1995, during
the leadership of former President Fidel V. Ramos, Republic Act No. 7898 otherwise
known as the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act was enacted to
modernize all three main service branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines: the
Philippine Army, the Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Navy. This likewise
aims to develop a self-reliant strategic armed force, acquire modern technology and
equipment to improve our disaster response, and upgrade military facilities. This was
amended in 2012 as Republic Act No. 10349 otherwise known as the Revised AFP
Modernization Act that aims to extend AFP’s modernization for another 15 years.

Therefore, in support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the AFP
Modernization Act, this bill aims to include in its budget and its functions to put back
into service decommissioned military helicopters and aircrafts as the country’s
response to fill the urgent gap during natural disasters, maritime patrols, border
security, and humanitarian assistance because even with its continuous budget,
acquiring new military helicopters and aircrafts is expensive and AFP’s budget is
operating ona limited budget that has already been identified.

According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the average
lifespan of an aircraft is around 25 to 40 years, depending on the kind of aircraft. One
of the main reasons why they are considered to be decommissioned is for 1) safety
reasons and 2) economic reasons because, just like every vehicle, aircrafts depreciate


and lead to an increase in maintenance costs. Furthermore, newer and more efficient
models become available.

Thus, as the State’s cost-effective strategy, this Act ai
operational aircrafts to meet the military’s operational demands without

s to recommission old yet

compromising our major capital outlay, especially with the current issue on the West
Philippine Sea, recommissioning decommissioned aircrafts will exert our military and
territorial presences, as well as prepare ourselves for future and possible military
operations.

In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

HON. VINCENZO RENAT# LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE
District 2, Camarines Sur



HOUSE OF REPRE!
‘Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 1363

Introduced by: HON. VINCE!

ZO RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE

AN ACT MANDATING THE REHABILITATION, REFURBISHMENT, AND
RECOMMISSIONING OF DECOMMISSIONED MILITARY HELICOPTERS AND
AIRCRAFT TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL DEFENSE CAPABILITIES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Section 1. Short
Modernization Act.

ition and

is act shall be known as the “Military Air Asset Rehabi

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. Itis the policy of the State to maintain a strong and modem defense
force that is capable of responding to both internal and external threats, including natural disasters.
In pursuit of this goal, the State shall prioritize the rehabilitation and cost-effective
recommissioning of decommissioned helicopters and aircraft in the inventory of the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP).

Sec. 3. Objectives. - The program shall have the following objectives:

a) Rehabilitate and restore serviceable decommissioned air assets of the AFP;

b) Reduce reliance on foreign procurement by maximizing existing military inventory:

©) Support local aviation industries, including parts manufacturing, retrofitting, and repair,

d) Enhance the capability of the AFP for both combat and disaster response operations;

€) Promote cost-effective modemization of national defense;

f) Recycle materials of decommissioned air assets for purposes of upgrading or repairing
existing military air assets.

Sec. 4, Scope of the Program. The Department of National Defense, in coordination with AFP,
shall exclusively recommission military helicopters and aircrafts that have been proven to be
decommissioned for purposes of utilizing materials such as aluminum and other metals to be
recycled on the military’s existing aircrafts, and rehabilitate and restore them as operational air
assets for purposes of responding to internal and external threats, including times of natural
disasters.

Sec. 5. Inventory and Assessment. Within 90 days from the effectivity of this Act, the DND in
coordination with the AFP and the Philippine Air Force (PAF), shall conduct a full inventory and


technical assessment of all decommissioned helicopters and aircraft in military storage or
serapyards nationwide.

Sec. 6. Rehabilitation Program. The DND shall initiate a Military Air Asset Rehabilitation
Program (MAARP) with the following components:

a) Technical inspection and feasibility analysis of aircraft for recommissioning;

b) Prioritization of assets based on strategic value and cost-effectiveness of repair;

©) Partnership with local aerospace contractors and government arsenal facilities for repair,
testing, and certification;

4) Training and deployment of skilled personnel to support refurbishment operations;

@)_ Use of indigenous parts and technologies where possible.

Sec. 7 Public-Private Partnerships and International Collaboration. To support the program,
the DND may enter into Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) with certified local and international
aerospace contractors for specialized rehabilitation needs, provided that national security is not
compromised.

Sec. 8. Congressional Oversight and Reporting. A Congressional Oversight Committee on
Military Asset Modernization (COCMAM) shall be created to monitor implementation. The DND
shall submit an annual report to Congress detailing:

a) Number and type of assets rehabilitated

b) Cost per aireraft

©) Deployment assignments

4) Budget utilization

See. 9. Appropriations. An initial amount of PS billion is hereby appropriated for the
implementation of this Act, sourced from the unprogrammed funds of the national budget or other
available funding sources. Subsequent funding shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA).

Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DND, in coordination with relevant
agencies, shall issue the necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations within ninety
(90) days after the effectivity of this Act.

See. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full
force and effect.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, and rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 13. Effe Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,