Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 13) — Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro has expressed interest in purchasing locally-made ships from Cebu for the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
While Cebu is currently the AFP’s logistical hub for Central Philippines, Teodoro said the province is also home to ships and equipment needed by the military.
“You have an important role to play here not only in maintaining peace and security in Central Philippines,” he said.
“Cebu builds ships, Cebu builds equipment that we need and therefore the synergy that we see today will continue but in a different dimension,” the secretary added.
Teodoro was in Cebu for the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the transfer of Camp Lapu-Lapu from Cebu City to the western towns of Tuburan and Tabuelan.
The Cabinet official said he is just waiting for amendments to the AFP modernization law to locally source military assets.
“May I also announce that I am happy to report that Congress has promised us two things: the amendment of the modernization law and procurement law of the armed forces, and number two, the strengthening of our self-reliant defense program or posture,” the defense chief added. “That means to say, we will be able to invest long term as equity partners or as purchasers for locally manufacture defense goods and equipment.”
The town of Balamban, Cebu is known for its shipbuilding industry – located at the 540-hectare West Cebu Industrial Estate.
The companies that build ships in Balamban include Japan-based Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, Australia’s Austal Corporation, local builders Advance Catamaran Composites and Cebu Maritime Industry.
These companies have a combined capacity to build at least 20 ships per year, including passenger vessels, bulk carriers, and yachts.
