The Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday called for the modernization of the Government Arsenal’s industrial and production capabilities, saying the facility must be strengthened to respond to the country’s changing defense needs.
The agency outlined the strategic direction for upgrading the facility, which plays a key role in producing defense and security assets for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other government agencies.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. made the statement during his visit and dialogue with the Government Arsenal workforce in Limay, Bataan on July 8, where he discussed global developments in weapons production and their relevance to the Philippines, particularly in improving the Government Arsenal’s role as a sovereign production facility.
He also cited the DND’s continuing modernization efforts, including plans to integrate new technologies to enhance internal and external defense capabilities and improve the technical skills of the workforce.
“We have to approach [GA as sovereign production facility] on both a technological and a product level, at a production design and efficiency level and a storage level, a safety level, and a waste and environmentally friendly center, together with the protection of the workforce,” he said.
He also recognized the importance of Government Arsenal personnel in fulfilling the mandate of the Department of National Defense.
He reaffirmed their role in delivering quality outputs for the AFP and other defense and security-related agencies.
During the dialogue, he addressed concerns and clarifications raised by employees on administration, program implementation, and other workplace matters.
“Napaka-importante ng workforce kasi habang umaakyat ang technology, dumadagdag din ang mga hamon ng ating kasamahan,” he said, underscoring the workforce’s role in the future of the defense organization.