Vice President Jejomar C. Binay pledged Saturday to continue developing programs targeted specifically for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

            “Ang programang pabahay para sa ating mga kawal ay bahagi lamang ng pagsisikap ng inyong pamahalaan na pagandahin ang inyong buhay bilang pagkilala sa inyong hindi matatawarang ambag sa paghubog ng isang bagong Pilipinas,” Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, said during the homecoming celebration of the Philippine Military Academy at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City.

            “Housing does not only mean a better life for your families but the freedom to do your job of soldiery better,” he told the PMA alumni.

            “Masakit po para sa akin na makita na marami sa ating mga kawal na handang magbuwis ng buhay para makatulog ng mahimbing ang sambayanan ay walang sariling bahay na matutulugan,” he added.

            The housing czar said he expects the complete support of the Department of Budget and Management to give decent homes to uniformed personnel and their loved ones.

            He assured the PMA alumni that the Aquino administration will continue to improve not only the capabilities of a modern and modernized armed forces, “but improve the morale or our soldiers by providing them not only recognition, but also the benefits and assistance that are long overdue.”

            In his speech, the Vice President also emphasized the importance of national discipline and how to achieve development.

            “Sa aking tingin, lahat tayo ay nagkakaisa na susi sa ating pagsulong bilang bansa ang disiplina. Ngunit saan natin gagamitin ang disiplina? Batid natin ang mapait na karanasan ng ating bansa noong panahon na agawin ang ating kalayaan at gamitin ang disiplina upang isulong ang interes ng iilan. Ito ang sistemang mapanupil na tinutulan at iwinaksi ng ating mga kawal, kasama ang sambayanan, noong Pebrero 1986, sa makasaysayang EDSA Revolution,” he said,

            “It is those same questions that would equip us to confront the ever intensifying and more complex issues on our territorial integrity sovereignty, such as the challenge of the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

            “It is those same questions that would spur us to face and mitigate the risks of climate change, and the social issues that come with internal security, or confront us as a people both in the diaspora and at home,” Binay further said.