The AGFO Board of Trustees made courtesy calls on the former OIC, DND Senior Undersecretary Carlito G Galvez Jr and the incumbent Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr on March 9,2023 and September 5,2023, respectively, at the DND Conference Room in Camp Aguinaldo.
During the call on Senior Undersecretary Galvez, the hot issue was about the Expanded Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). He cited that among the four additional EDCA sites, two were being opposed by the provincial governor and he may have to meet the governor to convince the latter. He also mentioned about joint exercises in WPS with our defense ally and possible acquisition of equipment and platforms under the EDA arrangement. AGFO suggested that defense procurement policy must consider the level of technology. A plague of recognition was presented to Secretary Galvez for his outstanding efforts in fostering better alliance with US and defense cooperation with friendly nations.
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On the other hand, the leading issue at the time of the call on Secretary Teodoro was the MUP pension. The Secretary stressed the non-diminution of existing benefits, like full indexation, based on one-rank higher, and other features, for the current and future military retirees, except the new entrants. He also informed the group that the Department will undergo restructuring to improve effectiveness and efficiency, re-examine the defense-in-depth strategy, refocus education and training in connection with capability upgrade under the AFP modernization program, and re-engineer defense budgeting process to insure continuous operational support to the new equipment and platforms. In both occasions, the AGFO Board conveyed its full support to the Department’s thrusts of defending the Republic by working closely with allies and friends, actively pursuing the AFP modernization, and caring for the morale and welfare of the soldiers and veterans. |
