PN MODERNZATION

Force Restructuring and Organizational DevelopmentSeveral objectives of the Force Restructuring Program have been accomplished.Noteworthy is the metamorphosis of the original six Naval Districts to four NavalForces in 1996 and the transfer of the Philippine Coast Guard to the Departmentof Transportation and Communication in 1998 and the creation of the NavalReserve Command(NRC). The creation of the NRC stresses the importance andkey role of a well-trained naval reserve force in maritime emergencies, both intime of war and peace.

Meanwhile, the streamlining of the PN organization by transfering personnel fromoffices with non-mission critical functions to offices performing strategic functionshas started. In the years to come, the structure of the Philippine Fleet will be re-defined to focus on specialized units.

HumanResourceDevelopment

For the morale and welfare of the personnel, the Command recentlyprocessed applications for educational benefits of Navy dependents who wantto avail of the AFP Educational Benefits. The Navy aso works to provide amore judicious promotion system, awards and decoration system, expandedhealth services and a more vigorous sports development program. Off-basehousing projects complement base quarters provided to officers and enlistedpersonnel.

The Navy has through the years, focused its attention to laying thegroundwork for an optimized human resource management system. This is toensure that the right number of personnel with the right skills will be availableto man the new vessels and equipment upon their delivery. Towards this end,the Navy has implemented six fields of specializations for officers and skilldevelopment program for enlisted personnel to address the operational,technical and administrative requirement of modern equipment and systems.

DoctrinesDevelopment

In the hope of spurring the effort of creating validprinciples and concepts to form part of the NavalDoctrine, the Command intends to develop greaterawareness of the importance of doctrines among itspersonnel to serve the training and operationalneeds of the Navy. The analysis, methods and toolsused to formulate doctrines will hence beinstitutionalized.

Getting the job done is not the only thing toconsider. During naval operations, existing laws,rules and regulations and current rules ofengagement are of primary importance. Respect forhuman rights of combatant and non-combatantsshall likewise be observed.

Bases andSupportSystemDevelopment

Naval bases and stations are maintained to support the strategicprojection of naval ground, ground and air units of the navythroughout the archipelago. Several of them will be enhanced andmodified to sustain naval operations in accordance with changingnational dfense strategy. To effectively project naval power inimportant sea-lanes and choke points, satellite bases and stationsin the frontiers of the country shall be aggressively created. Allbase development plans shall include an environmental impactassessment, which shall contain among others, precautions toinsure that toxic materials or pollutants, if any, emanating frombase activities are contained and will not contaminate theenvironment .