MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday, October 21, reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) despite the proposed 2027 allocation falling short of the Department of National Defense’s (DND) funding request.
The AFP modernization program was allotted Php 50 billion under the proposed 2027 national budget, Php 84 billion below the DND’s requested Php 134 billion.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that national security and military modernization remain among President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priorities.
“Isa sa mga prayoridad ng Pangulo ay ang National Security at ang AFP modernization,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.
She clarified that the proposed Php 50-billion allocation represents a 25-percent increase from the Php 40 billion provided in 2026, stressing that funding for the program had not been reduced compared with the previous year.
Castro explained that government agencies do not automatically receive their requested budgets, as funding proposals undergo evaluation based on national priorities and available fiscal resources.
The Palace issued the statement following Senate finance subcommittee deliberations earlier this week on the DND’s proposed Php 324.6-billion budget.
During the hearings, lawmakers underscored the need to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities amid evolving security challenges.
The administration maintained that AFP modernization remains a key component of its national security agenda, with continued funding intended to improve the military’s operational readiness and defense capabilities.
