New AFP chief vows cost cuts

Cost-cutting in the military is a priority for Gen. Narciso Abaya, the 32nd chief of the staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"To make the AFP progressively responsive and mission effective, we shall enhance and rationalize resource utilization and distribution in favor of service," said Abaya.

In line with cost-cutting measures, Abaya said that aside from realigning the headquarters budget, the Armed Forces will also cut down on expenditures and allocate them for front line units.

Abaya said cost-cutting would also mean the implementation of austerity measures to cut down on non-mission essential activities, including ceremonials, and generate savings that can be channeled to front line missions.

"This includes downscaling expenses for ceremonials, many of which sordidly lack in substance anyway. We are not saying here that we shall completely do away with traditional military rites. Rather, we shall make them as simple as possible without detracting from the dignity of the occasion," he said.

"Extravagant parades, celebrations and sports events, after all, make us look like a poor armed forces pretending to be rich," he added.

Abaya also vowed to streamline AFP operations. There are now 113,000 enlisted personnel and officers detailed in the various Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine units nationwide.

"The assignment of our men and women will be made in favor of service, or where they are needed most. It has been my experience and observation that a lot of personnel are assigned to jobs that are not at all related to the accomplishment of the AFP’s mission," Abaya said.

Abaya noted that some military personnel have been assigned to non-combat related duties, some even serving as bodyguards to politicians and government officials.

Despite the cost-cutting measures, Abaya vowed to provide the best training and equipment the Armed Forces can afford.

"Bad training, or worse, the absence of training can only lead to tragic losses, so can the lack of appropriate gear and equipment," he said. "We shall not train and equip them for combat but also make sure that their bodies, minds and hearts are ready for it."

As part of training and development, Abaya also vowed to continue the development and implementation of military doctrines at the joint, major services and lower unit levels.

In a speech yesterday, President Arroyo expressed confidence that Abaya will address the country’s decades-old insurgency.

Abaya, 52, succeeded Gen. Dionisio Santiago and became the sixth AFP chief of staff to serve Mrs. Arroyo in the past 26 months she has been in office.

He would be serving the longest term under the Arroyo administration which has been criticized for its "revolving door" policy allowing retirable generals to serve –however briefly –as AFP chief.

The new AFP chief is married to Undersecretary Susan Abaya of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

Saying "it takes two to tango," Mrs. Arroyo said she will use the husband-and-wife team of the Abaya couple to implement her administration’s war (military solution) and peace (anti-poverty programs) policy.

Mrs. Arroyo said Abaya has his wife as "yet another secret weapon" aside from his excellent credentials as a military officer.

"I am confident they (Abaya couple) do well in a performance like this, it takes two to tango," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"And I have seen General Abaya and Susan Abaya dance a great tango, and they will dance this act ... as well," she said. – With Marichu Villanueva, Roel Pareño