Biazon seeks to amend BCDA Law

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon filed over the weekend a bill seeking to amend the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) Law to generate more funds for the modernization of the Armed Forces.

Biazon, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense, noted that the present law limits the share of the AFP in BCDA-controlled areas only to the net proceeds of the actual sale of the former US bases.

"This is not proportionate to the AFP stake, considering that it is the custodian and owner of these properties," Biazon said.

He said that the BCDA has already remitted P25.86 billion to the National Treasury since 1993 from sales proceeds.

Under Biazon’s Senate Bill No. 797, the share of the AFP shall not be restricted to the sale of former military camps but shall include proceeds from lease, joint ventures and other arrangements for the productive use of these lands.

"The proceeds of the sale, lease, joint venture agreements and other transactions shall not be reduced, nor be subject to any form of national and local tax, assessment, license or fee," Biazon said.

His bill also seeks to authorize the President to sell 100 of the 148 hectares at Fort Bonifacio at present used by the National Capital Region security brigade, Philippine Army officers’ housing area, and Camp Bagong Diwa.

"The entire proceeds of the sale of the 100 hectares, after deducting all disposition expenses, shall be added to the funds for the AFP modernization program," he stressed.

He said that "disposition expenses" include acquisition and titling of real estate, as well as preparation or alternative relocation sites for the AFP units and facilities.

Biazon called for the speeding up of the AFP modernization program after noting that soldiers are inadequately equipped to fight "although they have the heart and the reason to fight."

He cited the recent Abu Sayyaf incursion in Dos Palmas resort island off Palawan where the terrorist group snatched a number of hostages for ransom.

"If the Western Command had the proper helicopter or speed boats, the Abu Sayyaf could not have safely negotiated the open seas from Dos Palmas to Basilan, even if the Abu Sayyaf had an hour head-start," Biazon said. – Efren Danao