The Senate has approved on third and final reading a measure intended to help the country project a credible defense posture through the development of a national defense industry.
Senate Bill 2455, entitled the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, was passed on Monday with all 24 senators voting for it.
Envisioned by the authors of the measure is a local defense industry that can produce advanced weaponry and equipment for the Philippines' armed forces which is currently facing challenges in the West Philippine Sea.
The defense industry as envisioned in SB 2455 would avail of technology transfers and partnerships with the private sector.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said the measure, when passed into law, would allow the Marcos administration to better "protect every square inch of the country's territory."
Over the weekend, China Coast Guard and Chinese militia vessels blasted Philippine vessels with water cannons and deafening acoustic devices in two different areas of the WPS.
The first incident on Saturday saw three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources boats harassed by the Chinese as they were delivering fuel and food to Filipino fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc.
On Sunday, Philippine vessels on a mission to resupply troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre were also blasted with water cannons by the Chinese, who also rammed one of the boats.
"Our sovereignty and freedom would be best defended by us and us alone," said Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief.
"While we welcome friendly nations to come to our rescue in territorial conflicts, we should not always be dependent on our allies," he added, in a speech during the plenary session.
He expressed the belief that, with adequate support from the government, a steady supply of world-class Filipino-made equipment can be assured.
The Philippines, through its Horizons modernization program that has encompassed three presidencies, has been buying military equipment like frigate ships, planes and attack helicopters from other countries.
"Having our domestic supply of defense equipment will give us peace of mind that we are no longer dependent on the availability from foreign sources," Dela Rosa pointed out.
The measure would mandate the Department of National Defense to create the Office of the Undersecretary for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development.
The office would be tasked with addressing and countering all types of attacks, including conventional, chemical, biological, nuclear and cyber attacks by hacking.
An initial funding of P1 billion will be included in the annual appropriation of the DND for the implementation of the act if it passes.
