PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday signed into law a measure meant to develop and promote the country’s defense industry.
Republic Act (RA) 12024, also known as the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act, is one of Marcos’ priority legislations.
“For decades, our defense capabilities have relied upon what we could acquire from abroad. Every purchase, every negotiation and every partnership — although necessary — reminded us that our strength depended on the supply chains and the interests of other parties,” the Chief Executive said during the ceremonial signing held in Malacañang.
“This law goes beyond the development of weapons or equipment, as it seeks to create a framework that makes us less dependent, more resilient, better prepared,” he added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act on Oct. 8, 2024 at Malacañang. PPA POOL PHOTO
With the new law, the country would have the capability to develop technologies to counter “unconventional threats” amid the evolving defense and security landscape.
These include cybersecurity breaches, chemical attacks and radiological threats, which are “more than hypothetical risks” and “pressing realities.”
“At its core, this act is about cultivating a robust and sustainable national defense industry. It establishes a structured approach to defense development, starting with research and production capabilities that align our defense sector with our strategic objectives,” the President said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act on Oct. 8, 2024 at Malacanan Palace. In his speech during the ceremony, the President highlighted the significance of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act in strengthening the Philippines’ defense capabilities by relying on local resources and innovation. This act builds upon the legacy of the SRDP program initiated during the Marcos Sr. administration, which once met the basic needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The law introduces a framework to promote defense industry development, prioritize research, and foster collaboration between government, private sectors, and research institutions. Incentives such as tax breaks and financing will encourage investments, while ensuring that defense materials remain solely for national use. PHOTOS BY YUMMIE DINGDING / PPA POOL
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act on Oct. 8, 2024 at Malacanan Palace. In his speech during the ceremony, the President highlighted the significance of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act in strengthening the Philippines’ defense capabilities by relying on local resources and innovation. This act builds upon the legacy of the SRDP program initiated during the Marcos Sr. administration, which once met the basic needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The law introduces a framework to promote defense industry development, prioritize research, and foster collaboration between government, private sectors, and research institutions. Incentives such as tax breaks and financing will encourage investments, while ensuring that defense materials remain solely for national use. PHOTOS BY YUMMIE DINGDING / PPA POOL
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act on Oct. 8, 2024 at Malacanan Palace. In his speech during the ceremony, the President highlighted the significance of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act in strengthening the Philippines’ defense capabilities by relying on local resources and innovation. This act builds upon the legacy of the SRDP program initiated during the Marcos Sr. administration, which once met the basic needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The law introduces a framework to promote defense industry development, prioritize research, and foster collaboration between government, private sectors, and research institutions. Incentives such as tax breaks and financing will encourage investments, while ensuring that defense materials remain solely for national use. PHOTOS BY YUMMIE DINGDING / PPA POOL
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act on Oct. 8, 2024 at Malacanan Palace. In his speech during the ceremony, the President highlighted the significance of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act in strengthening the Philippines’ defense capabilities by relying on local resources and innovation. This act builds upon the legacy of the SRDP program initiated during the Marcos Sr. administration, which once met the basic needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The law introduces a framework to promote defense industry development, prioritize research, and foster collaboration between government, private sectors, and research institutions. Incentives such as tax breaks and financing will encourage investments, while ensuring that defense materials remain solely for national use. PHOTOS BY YUMMIE DINGDING / PPA POOL
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act on Oct. 8, 2024 at Malacanan Palace. In his speech during the ceremony, the President highlighted the significance of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalization Act in strengthening the Philippines’ defense capabilities by relying on local resources and innovation. This act builds upon the legacy of the SRDP program initiated during the Marcos Sr. administration, which once met the basic needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The law introduces a framework to promote defense industry development, prioritize research, and foster collaboration between government, private sectors, and research institutions. Incentives such as tax breaks and financing will encourage investments, while ensuring that defense materials remain solely for national use. PHOTOS BY YUMMIE DINGDING / PPA POOL
“We will prioritize R&D to develop systems that meet our unique requirements [and] stay ahead of evolving threats — particularly asymmetrical threats that traditional systems may not be completely equipped to address.”
“The strategy is clear: we start by strengthening the foundations — the research, the production capabilities and institutional support — then build upwards, layer by layer, until we have an industry that can stand strong and succeed on its own,” he said.
The President vowed to ensure that every peso spent and every effort made directly contribute to achieving the goal of self-reliance.
“By establishing a clear framework to guide public-private partnerships, we are saying to local innovative councils, invention societies, universities and other learning institutions, it is our chance to contribute to something greater — to help us protect the sovereignty and security of our nation,” the President said.
“To the private sector, it is an invitation to build an enduring defense industry. To our esteemed research institutions, let your innovations shape our future and propel us toward self-reliance. And to our Armed Forces, understand this: we pledge that the Filipino soldier will be bolstered by the ingenuity and the expertise of the Filipino innovator. So together, let us build a robust defense industry that enhances national security, strengthens defense capabilities, and reinforces economic growth.”
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