Our role in guarding the not-so-friendly skies

All this recent talk about external aggression on the country’s territory and citizenry, even from erstwhile diplomatic quarters, reminded me of our recent 21st regular meeting of the Philippine Air Force Multi Sectoral Governance Council (PAF MSGC) held at the PAF Firing Range, Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, to review ongoing strategic initiatives and transformation goals.

Why a firing range for a regular meeting, you may ask. We will get to that in a bit.

The Philippine Air Force Multi-Sector Governance Council (PAF MSGC) is an external advisory body that guides the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in implementing its long-term development roadmaps, namely Flight Plan 2028 and its expanded horizon, Flight Plan 2040.

Its core role and functions are: advisory and governance, by providing independent expert advice on strategy review, policy, governance, resource generation, and strategic communication; performance tracking, by monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational readiness to ensure transparency and accountability; and multi-sectoral partnerships, by bridging the military and public sector with the private sector by engaging leaders from business, government, academia, and civil society.

The current MSGC is composed of Ronald Goseco as chairman, former Labor Secretary Nieves Confesor as vice chairperson, with myself, Sen. Bam Aquino, former Trade Undersecretary Tony Lambino, Francis Kong, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Undersecretary Mary Anne de la Vega, former Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, Capt. Roland Narciso, former Higher Education chairman Popoy de Vera, Undersecretary Alex Ramos, Dr. Gay Jane Perez and Metro Pacific chairman, president and CEO Manny Pangilinan (MVP) as council members.

It is worth mentioning that MVP donated a building to house PAF’s cyber security headquarters.

During the meeting, Air Asia Philippines director, Capt. Gomer Monreal, joined the PAF MSGC as its newest member.

The MSGC regular meeting was convened through the efforts of the PAF Office of Strategy Management under Air Force Col. John Paul David Trajano. Aside from the oath-taking of its newest MSGC member, the meeting also had renewal of memberships and the presentation of plaques of appreciation.

There was, of course, a discussion on key air force initiatives and organizational priorities. The MSGC members actively engaged in the presentations and shared insights, experiences, and best practices.

PAF Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, together with other senior Air Force officers, provided key perspectives on aligning the initiatives with the PAF’s long-term goals and strategic priorities. All these were to further advance its mandate and contribute to the PAF’s continued transformation. It is through the MSGC that the Philippine Air Force continues to strengthen multi-sector collaboration and good governance in advancing a credible, agile, and mission-ready Air Force.

Commanders rotate, but a strategy should not. One of the PAF’s own officers noted that the council helps the organization report on performance gains and focus on programs that can outlast changes in PAF leadership.

In the early years, the council itself was chaired by current Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, a fact that shouldn’t be forgotten  given where he sits today and the issues surrounding how he has responded to external aggression and threats which, glad to say, he did not and does not take lightly.

The PAF agenda sat against a clear strategic backdrop. Gen. Cordura has said the PAF is transitioning to territorial defense from counter-insurgency operations. Under Flight Plan 2040, the service seeks to procure 36 multirole fighters (MRF) for air defense and interdiction roles. He has also acknowledged that an MRF is expensive, and that ground-based air defense platforms and unmanned platforms offer other routes to an integrated air defence system.

At the PAF’s 79th founding anniversary last July, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) vowed continued support for the PAF and its modernization program. He pointed to gains in helicopters, aircraft, and surveillance radar systems and spoke of investing in specialized intelligence training, advanced flight simulation, and participation in exercises with other services and international counterparts. He also reiterated his directive that all aircraft be airworthy and that strict safety standards be kept in missions and training. He tied this to programs for the mental health and well-being of Air Force personnel.

Secretary Gibo Teodoro, himself a rated multi-engine pilot, has been consistent: the fighter program must not be a bare purchase. He wants it to proceed as a full package, with AWACS and aerial tankers so that it is “operational as a force package.”

In July, he said the Philippines was looking at around five possible suppliers for the MRF program, and that acquisition depends on government funding. In March, he said he was amenable to a larger fleet of 75 MRFs, the equivalent of an air wing, given the country’s vast territory.

From where I sit, as an MSGC member and also as a Filipino, the message is that the commander-in-chief provides the political commitment and the defense secretary the architecture. The council’s role is to keep the Air Force’s governance and communication strong enough to carry both.

This ultimately matters beyond the MSGC, beyond the air base, and out into the clear blue and not-so-friendly skies. Air power is only as credible as the institution behind it. Aircraft can be bought, but trust, transparency, and continuity are built over years.

That is what the MSGC exists for, and why I am glad and deeply honored to serve in it.

POSTSCRIPT: The reason why the regular meeting was held at a firing range was because it was also the PAF MSGC Fun Shoot. The aim (pun unintended) of the shoot fest was not just to enhance proficiency in handling firearms but also to strengthen camaraderie among MSGC members and PAF officers and personnel. A good way to de-stress from the rigors of the discussions in the meeting, if I may say. *

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