A lawmaker on Tuesday asked Congress to increase the budget allocation for the Department of National Defense (DND) to upgrade its capabilities to perform its role in securing the country’s sovereign territory, as the agency admitted that China continues to develop islands in the West Philippine Sea. During deliberations on the proposed P283.2-billion budget of the DND for 2021, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon said the current and emerging challenges the Philippines face require more than the allocation currently provided for the DND in the National Expenditure Program. “Although the Department of National Defense usually ranks among the top 5 agencies based on the amount appropriated every year, the need to provide for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to counterterrorism and local insurgency, as well as conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in times of calamities and other emergencies should compel Congress to find other means of sourcing funds beyond the General Appropriations Act,” he said.

Dela Cruz, J. M. N. (2020, September 9). DND budget hike sought as China keeps developing islands in WPS. Business Mirror, p. A3.