Solons flash thumbs up at DBM’s plan to replace Presidential plane

By ALICE NICART, PIA Eastern Samar
January 6, 2012

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  Amid criticisms at the plan of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to buy and replace the 30-year old Presidential plane, some members of the House of Representatives have expressed otherwise.

Congressman Ben P. Evardone of the Lone District of Eastern Samar said that the plan is a good idea and in fact long overdue.

“I think DBM’s plan to purchase a brand new Presidential plane is a good idea, it is even long overdue”, Congressman Evardone said. “It will be more cost-effective and most importantly the safety of our President is not compromised,” he added.

Other Congressmen joined Evardone’s opinion: Congressmen Roy Loyola of Cavite, Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes and Alvee Benitez were all one in saying that there is nothing wrong in buying a new Presidential plane because the safety of the President must also be ensured. According to them, they just have to make sure that the procurement process is transparent.

Early in the news yesterday, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the plane is too old and the President “cannot be renting planes all the time” and also added that “officials are already cautious about taking the old plane”.

The report revealed further that the present Presidential plane was bought in 1979 yet, by then Central Bank of the Philippines suppose to be used by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos. “It was delivered to the Philippines in September 1980. Its ownership was transferred from the Central Bank to the Office of the President on Dec. 26, 1995”.

It added that the plane which had had a total flying time of 5,525 hours as of March 11, 2011, was eventually donated to the Philippine Air Force in May 2006.