By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
The Marcos Jr. administration is “100 percent” committed to modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to enhance the capabilities of government forces, Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman said on Friday.
Pangandaman gave the assurance while leading the acceptance, turnover and blessing ceremony of five newly delivered S-70i Black Hawk utility helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
In her keynote speech, Pangandaman said the government is determined to ensure that front-line defenders are equipped with the tools they need to protect the nation.
“Under the steadfast leadership of your Commander-in-Chief, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Budget and Management reaffirms our commitment to modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including our Air Force,” Pangandaman said.
“You can also be assured of our 100 percent support for the continuous capability enhancement and modernization program of the AFP,” she added.
Pangandaman emphasized that the Black Hawk helicopters are more than mere assets, noting that every minute is critical in saving lives—especially during crises, emergencies, and periods of recovery and rehabilitation.
She said each aircraft serves as a lifeline to reach far-flung, hazard-prone, and underserved communities that require relief assistance during calamities.
“This is what these aircraft represent. They are symbols of our country’s resolve not only to protect its sovereignty but also to ensure the safety and welfare of every Filipino,” Pangandaman said.
The newly delivered units are part of the PAF’s Additional Utility Helicopter Acquisition Project, which covers a total of 32 Black Hawk helicopters.
Another five units are scheduled to arrive in December 2025, while the remaining seven units are expected by the second quarter of 2026.
The S-70i Black Hawk, a world-class, four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter, is designed for reliability, versatility, and performance in both military and humanitarian operations. Its multi-mission capability allows responders to reach communities often cut off during disasters — where every minute can mean the difference between life and death.
With their proven reliability and operational flexibility, Pangandaman said the Black Hawk helicopters will play a critical role in medical evacuations, airlifting relief goods, rapid troop deployment for peace and security, aerial surveillance, combat search and rescue, and disaster response — including firefighting using heli-buckets.
She added that the arrival of the new helicopters will help facilitate faster rescues, quicker delivery of food and aid, safer transport of the wounded, and more lives saved during earthquakes, landslides, typhoons, and armed threats.
