Mrs. Arroyo directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P5 million from her contingency fund to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to support the activation of the National Maritime Aerial Reconnaissance and Surveillance Center (NMARSC), program management and specialized training costs.
The President issued Executive Order No. 492, ordering the National Security Adviser to oversee and supervise the implementation of the Maritime Aerial Reconnaissance and Surveillance (MARS) Program with NICA serving as technical operator of the system.
The President mandated the participation and contribution of concerned agencies for the cost of their actual use and maintenance of the UAV systems.
"Costs or projected use shall be indicated in their annual department budgets for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act of the year following the effectivity of the order," Mrs. Arroyo said.
The agencies initially identified as part of the program include the Philippine Coast Guard under the Department of Transportation of Communications (DOTC); the Bureau of Customs under the Department of Finance (DOF); the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); the Office of Civil Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the Department of National Defense.
The other agencies include the Forest Management Bureau and the National Mapping Resources Information Authority under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the Department of Agriculture; and the energy, public works and highways, tourism and the trade and industry departments.
The Office of the National Security Adviser will facilitate the creation of technical working groups with representatives from beneficiary-agencies to address the various tasks and joint use issues the MARS program will require. — Aurea Calica