Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 24) — A lawmaker on Sunday suggested that the Department of National Defense (DND) use charter or commercial flights to fly soldiers when needed, pending the acquisition of new C-130 aircrafts.
“Assuming Camp Aguinaldo is in rush to deploy soldiers somewhere, and no military aircraft is readily available, we would recommend the use of either commercial or chartered flights,” said Suriago del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House Committee on Strategic Intelligence, in a statement.
Pimentel added that the military’s use of commercial flights would also help local airlines recover financially from the COVID-19 crisis.
“If necessary, Congress can provide the DND the extra funding to pay for the commercial flights,” he said.
The lower chamber earlier approved ₱5.5 billion supplemental budget for the Defense department under the 2022 national budget.
Pimentel said the amount will enable the Philippine Air Force to make an initial payment for the procurement of five new C-130J Super Hercules aircrafts from American contractor Lockheed Martin Corp.
“We are all for the purchase of the new aircraft,” he said. “Besides their military use, the new planes will improve our capacity to swiftly deploy emergency first responders as well as relief supplies to provinces hit by typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.”
He added that the aircrafts, which can land in short and rough runways even in the mountains, can carry 92 passengers or 64 fully equipped soldiers.
The C-130Js can also be used to airlift and bring home distressed Filipino workers abroad, Pimentel said.
