Philippine Air Force to receive new helicopters as part of AFP Modernization Program
A Polish aircraft manufacturing company will turn over Friday four brand new choppers to the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF), which signals the near completion of the initial phase of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Plan aimed at making the air force more equipped in performing its mandate.
The AFP modernization program underscores President Benigno S. Aquino III’s commitment in pursuing a modernized armed forces.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will be the guest of honor during the formal turn-over of the choppers in a simple ceremony to be held at Air Force City in Clark, Pampanga on Friday.
PZL-SWIDNIK SA, a Polish manufacturing company headed by its president Mieczyslaw Majewski, will turn-over the initial four of eight SOKOL multi-purpose Combat Utility Helicopters (CUH) to the fleet of PAF under the Aquino administration’s AFP modernization program.
The arrival of the brand new combat helicopter is part of the P2.8 billion acquisition contract between the AFP and PZL-SWIDNIK SA.
Certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), these six-tonne class twin-engine helicopters have been proven to be effective and reliable in all weather conditions. An added feature of the SOKOL helicopter includes its high flexibility and significant internal and external cargo capacity, making it capable of performing a wide range of operations and an excellent utility chopper.
Dubbed as “Back to Basics,” the first phase of the Modernization Program focuses on improving the AFP’s ability to conduct Internal Security Operations. Under this phase, the target acquisition include eight combat utility helicopters, seven attack helicopters, one C-130 aircraft, a long-range patrol aircraft and 18 basic trainer aircraft.
For the Capability Upgrade Program, more advanced aircrafts are expected in Phases 2 and 3 where PAF-related components are grouped into the “Horizon Programs” with Horizon 2 expected to begin in the 2012 to 2016 time frame.
Under the Horizon 2, the Air Force expects the delivery of Territorial Defense assets such as Surface Attack Aircraft, Lead-in Fighter Trainers, Long-Range Patrol Aircraft, Air Defense Radar and a Special Mission aircraft, among other that will greatly boost the country’s defense stance against external threats.
Republic Act No. 7898, otherwise known as the AFP Modernization Act of 1995 has provided the military an opportunity to modernize with a total fund of P331 billion. The plan follows a strict schedule for upgrades in order to modernize the AFP to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and protect and preserve the patrimony of the Republic.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will be the guest of honor during the formal turn-over of the choppers in a simple ceremony to be held at the Air Force City in Clark, Pampanga on Friday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. will also join Secretary Gazmin during Friday’s event. (PCOO)
.
Coloma leads Toyota’s 500,000th car line-off ceremony, cites company as corporate role model
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. led the car line-off ceremony of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) commending the company for being a model corporation in the country by respecting its employees and maintaining high quality vehicles for its customers.
“More than being a most outstanding employer, TMP has been a model corporate citizen, always in the top rungs of taxpayers by dint of its efficient and profitable operations and serving as an exemplar in caring for the environment through its massive reforestation project in Penablanca, Cagayan. For these, the Filipino people are most grateful to TMP,” Coloma said in his message during the launching of TMP’s 500,000th car in its Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant on Thursday.
In 2008, Coloma said he participated at TMP’s 20th anniversary celebration and underwent an immersion program enabling him to fully understand Toyota’s corporate culture.
“I realized that respect for people is deeply embedded in the norms and values as well as in the basic philosophy that underpins the production process of TMP,” he said.
The “Toyota Way” is person-centered, as the company considers every team member a valuable contributor to the attainment of the company’s collective goal as an organization, Coloma said.
He added that the company is also spirit-driven which is composed of individuals that are motivated by a cause that is greater than themselves.
Referring to a recent interview of Toyota Motor chief executive officer Akio Toyoda, Coloma said that Toyota is not just about producing good cars but also creating vehicles that evoke emotions and connect with its customers.
“I wish you every success as you carry on your journey toward your silver jubilee next year and the attainment of your next production milestone: a million cars stamped with the TMP seal of excellence!” he said.
“That would be a tremendous achievement that will earn the enduring admiration of a grateful Filipino nation,” the PCOO chief concluded.
During the event, Coloma also led the ceremonial affixing of the 500,000th car emblem on a red Toyota Innova during the event.
The 500,000-unit milestone of TMP covers the manufacture of completely knocked-down (CKD) and semi knocked-down (SKD) units since it started operations in 1989.
The company currently produces the industry-leading Vios and Innova models. Prior to these, the company produced models such as the Corolla, Corona, Crown, Camry, Lite-Ace, and the popular Tamaraw FX and Revo.
Also present during the event were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippine Toshinao Urabe, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific chief regional officer Takahiro Iwase, TMP president Michinobu Sugata and PEZA Director General Lilia de Lima including the local officials of the City of Sta. Rosa. (PCOO)
.
Troops’ exposure to various environments main reason for US-Phl military operations – Malacañang
Malacañang on Thursday said the main reason for holding military exercises between the United States and the Philippines in the country was to increase the troops’ knowledge and to help them adapt to different terrain by exposing them to “various environments.”
“We have to expose the troops to various environments and I think that is the purpose for doing that,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
He added that the military exercises, the 28th to be conducted in the Philippines, “is a joint exercise as determined by both military components.”
The United States embassy here said on Wednesday that 4,500 personnel belonging to the US Pacific Command will be joining 2,300 Filipino troops in a series of military exercises that will be held in the country from April 16 to 27.
US Ambassador Harry Thomas said these series of exercises are meant to promote regional peace and security by ensuring interoperability and readiness of Philippine and US forces. (PCOO)
A Polish aircraft manufacturing company will turn over Friday four brand new choppers to the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF), which signals the near completion of the initial phase of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Plan aimed at making the air force more equipped in performing its mandate.
The AFP modernization program underscores President Benigno S. Aquino III’s commitment in pursuing a modernized armed forces.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will be the guest of honor during the formal turn-over of the choppers in a simple ceremony to be held at Air Force City in Clark, Pampanga on Friday.
PZL-SWIDNIK SA, a Polish manufacturing company headed by its president Mieczyslaw Majewski, will turn-over the initial four of eight SOKOL multi-purpose Combat Utility Helicopters (CUH) to the fleet of PAF under the Aquino administration’s AFP modernization program.
The arrival of the brand new combat helicopter is part of the P2.8 billion acquisition contract between the AFP and PZL-SWIDNIK SA.
Certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), these six-tonne class twin-engine helicopters have been proven to be effective and reliable in all weather conditions. An added feature of the SOKOL helicopter includes its high flexibility and significant internal and external cargo capacity, making it capable of performing a wide range of operations and an excellent utility chopper.
Dubbed as “Back to Basics,” the first phase of the Modernization Program focuses on improving the AFP’s ability to conduct Internal Security Operations. Under this phase, the target acquisition include eight combat utility helicopters, seven attack helicopters, one C-130 aircraft, a long-range patrol aircraft and 18 basic trainer aircraft.
For the Capability Upgrade Program, more advanced aircrafts are expected in Phases 2 and 3 where PAF-related components are grouped into the “Horizon Programs” with Horizon 2 expected to begin in the 2012 to 2016 time frame.
Under the Horizon 2, the Air Force expects the delivery of Territorial Defense assets such as Surface Attack Aircraft, Lead-in Fighter Trainers, Long-Range Patrol Aircraft, Air Defense Radar and a Special Mission aircraft, among other that will greatly boost the country’s defense stance against external threats.
Republic Act No. 7898, otherwise known as the AFP Modernization Act of 1995 has provided the military an opportunity to modernize with a total fund of P331 billion. The plan follows a strict schedule for upgrades in order to modernize the AFP to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to defend the sovereignty and protect and preserve the patrimony of the Republic.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will be the guest of honor during the formal turn-over of the choppers in a simple ceremony to be held at the Air Force City in Clark, Pampanga on Friday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. will also join Secretary Gazmin during Friday’s event. (PCOO)
.
Coloma leads Toyota’s 500,000th car line-off ceremony, cites company as corporate role model
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. led the car line-off ceremony of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) commending the company for being a model corporation in the country by respecting its employees and maintaining high quality vehicles for its customers.
“More than being a most outstanding employer, TMP has been a model corporate citizen, always in the top rungs of taxpayers by dint of its efficient and profitable operations and serving as an exemplar in caring for the environment through its massive reforestation project in Penablanca, Cagayan. For these, the Filipino people are most grateful to TMP,” Coloma said in his message during the launching of TMP’s 500,000th car in its Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant on Thursday.
In 2008, Coloma said he participated at TMP’s 20th anniversary celebration and underwent an immersion program enabling him to fully understand Toyota’s corporate culture.
“I realized that respect for people is deeply embedded in the norms and values as well as in the basic philosophy that underpins the production process of TMP,” he said.
The “Toyota Way” is person-centered, as the company considers every team member a valuable contributor to the attainment of the company’s collective goal as an organization, Coloma said.
He added that the company is also spirit-driven which is composed of individuals that are motivated by a cause that is greater than themselves.
Referring to a recent interview of Toyota Motor chief executive officer Akio Toyoda, Coloma said that Toyota is not just about producing good cars but also creating vehicles that evoke emotions and connect with its customers.
“I wish you every success as you carry on your journey toward your silver jubilee next year and the attainment of your next production milestone: a million cars stamped with the TMP seal of excellence!” he said.
“That would be a tremendous achievement that will earn the enduring admiration of a grateful Filipino nation,” the PCOO chief concluded.
During the event, Coloma also led the ceremonial affixing of the 500,000th car emblem on a red Toyota Innova during the event.
The 500,000-unit milestone of TMP covers the manufacture of completely knocked-down (CKD) and semi knocked-down (SKD) units since it started operations in 1989.
The company currently produces the industry-leading Vios and Innova models. Prior to these, the company produced models such as the Corolla, Corona, Crown, Camry, Lite-Ace, and the popular Tamaraw FX and Revo.
Also present during the event were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippine Toshinao Urabe, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific chief regional officer Takahiro Iwase, TMP president Michinobu Sugata and PEZA Director General Lilia de Lima including the local officials of the City of Sta. Rosa. (PCOO)
.
Troops’ exposure to various environments main reason for US-Phl military operations – Malacañang
Malacañang on Thursday said the main reason for holding military exercises between the United States and the Philippines in the country was to increase the troops’ knowledge and to help them adapt to different terrain by exposing them to “various environments.”
“We have to expose the troops to various environments and I think that is the purpose for doing that,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
He added that the military exercises, the 28th to be conducted in the Philippines, “is a joint exercise as determined by both military components.”
The United States embassy here said on Wednesday that 4,500 personnel belonging to the US Pacific Command will be joining 2,300 Filipino troops in a series of military exercises that will be held in the country from April 16 to 27.
US Ambassador Harry Thomas said these series of exercises are meant to promote regional peace and security by ensuring interoperability and readiness of Philippine and US forces. (PCOO)
