MODERNIZING ARMY FACILITIES. Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Department of National Defense break ground on the P1.5-B development project to upgrade and transfer the Army Support Command (ASCOM) facilities to Camp Servillano Aquino, Tarlac City. In photo are from left, Mr. Alejandro Tengco of the AM Oreta – Almeria Construction JV; ASCOM Commander MGen Glenn Cruz; Atty. Rissa Oreta of the JV; Defense Asec. Josue Gaverza Jr.; Defense Asec. Manuel Felino Ramos; Aldwin Almeria of the JV; BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon; BCDA Director (Ret) Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda; NOLCOM Commander Lt. Gen. Arnulo Marcelo Burgos, Jr.; and Filipinas Davao Corp. Vice-Chair Col. Crisostomo Ramos.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) are targeting to transfer the Army Support Command (ASCOM) facilities in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig to a new P1.5-billion project site in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City by next year.
BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon, Defense Assistant Secretaries Manuel Ramos and Josue Gaverza Jr., ASCOM Commander MGen. Glenn Cruz and Northern Luzon Command Chief Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. led the groundbreaking rites on February 23 at Camp Aquino, paving the way for the construction and development of a 29.8-hectare lot there.
Under the four-phase development plan, 44 structures will be built including multiple headquarters facilities, officers’ quarters, barracks, a warehouse, student classrooms and transportation and maintenance battalion areas.
“BCDA has been working closely with DND and the Armed Forces over the years to make the vision of modern ASCOM logistical facilities a reality. We feel that this is a sound investment which not only puts ASCOM in a better position to serve the military, but opens up new opportunities for the national government to generate much-needed revenues by developing the soon-to-be-vacated Army areas in Fort Bonifacio,” Sec. Dizon said.
In line with its mandate under Republic Act 7227 to generate funds for the DND-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, BCDA together with its joint venture partner SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has been preparing the development of the 33.13-hectare Bonifacio South Pointe Property inside Fort Bonifacio.
Of this prime lot, some 11.5 hectares is currently occupied by ASCOM, as well as the Service Support Unit (SSU) and the Division Administrative Command Center (DACC), all under the Philippine Army.
Under the BCDA-DND/AFP memorandum of agreement signed by Sec. Dizon and Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana in February 2017, both parties agreed that, “To implement the planned disposition and development of Bonifacio South Pointe by BCDA, there is a need to clear the property from its present occupants and existing facilities.”
DND and the AFP identified the relocation site in Camp Aquino. For its part, BCDA is responsible for the construction of structures and facilities, as well as the engagement of consulting services for engineering design and construction management.
Speaking on behalf of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Lt. Gen. Burgos Jr said the AFP recognizes the role of BCDA as a prime mover of national development by transforming former military bases into premier centers of economic growth.
“The transfer of ASCOM here at Camp Aquino is very timely as it will not only boost the unit’s capabilities to carry out its mission and functions but it also reinforces its thrust to sustain personal readiness and enhancement of its operations and even gain momentum towards modernization,” Lt. Gen. Burgos said.
He added that, “ASCOM plays a very significant role in the Armed Forces and the PA because they provide the logistical support to all the Army units not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao. This is why ASCOM should be situated in a strategic location, like here in Camp Aquino.”
ASCOM Commander MGen. Cruz said that compared to Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, Camp Servillano Aquino is a more strategic location for logistics support and the deployment of support services.
“Considering the congestion in Metro Manila, the ease of our movement and security of our access from one place to another has already been affected. The new Ascom area provides us with easier and more efficient logistics operations,” Cruz said.
ASCOM’s mission is “to provide proactive, integrated and sustained quality logistics support services to Philippine Army units.”
Since May 1993, BCDA has remitted Php 65.5 billion to the Bureau of the Treasury and contributed a total of Php 46.6 billion to the Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces is the biggest recipient of BCDA contributions to the government, bankrolling the military’s modernization program for nearly three decades.
