FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army (PA) and the Multi-Sector Advisory Board (MSAB) on Thursday, January 30, conducted its first meeting at the Army Headquarters in support to advancing the Army’s modernization endeavors.
In line with the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR), the Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay together with the new MSAB Interim Chairperson, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Charito Plaza, expressed the need to continue modernizing PA’s capabilities in response to the President’s directive of ending the CPP-NPA insurgency by 2022.
Plaza requested the interim heads and members of MSAB’s committees namely, Governance; Resource Management; Review and Assessment; Strategic Communication; and Research and Education to start discussing potential activities and programs of the board.
“I assure you that we will do our best for the next two years [and] that we will be able to contribute in the modernization and efficiency of the Philippine Army and the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines as our contribution in the total development quest of our government,” said Plaza in her speech.
PA- MSAB was established to promote the continuity and sustainability of the ATR and to encourage shared responsibility in its success with its members coming from government, non-government, media, business, defense and youth sectors.
“[ One of ] our major thrusts, which is working closely with our partners and stakeholders, such as you, our MSAB, is a priority of the Philippine Army. With your expertise, knowledge, and participation, we will be able to further expand the outlook of the Philippine Army, and raise more awareness in the implementation of our plans, programs, as well as our current and future initiatives for the months to come,” said Gapay.#