Manila: The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday identified its priority measures before the Senate, including a bill to transform the agency into a more “agile organization” capable of addressing modern security challenges. At the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation chaired by Senator Loren Legarda, Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said a DND transformation bill is urgent to rationalize staffing and improve the agency’s ability to attract skilled specialists.

According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro noted that the DND currently has only 267 filled plantilla positions out of an authorized 367 to manage a stakeholder base of more than 500,000. “We need an urgent transformation bill to allow us to build an agile organization . that will allow us to keep skill sets for attracting the future cadre or civilian specialists that will help manage the defense ecosystem,” he said. He cited the need to hire experts who may not meet traditional civil service requirements, citing technical specialists as examples.

Legarda said she was convinced of the measure’s importance and assured support in facilitating its passage once the Department of Budget and Management approves the proposed increase in plantilla positions. On the issue of fixed terms, Teodoro clarified that what the DND envisions are “maximum tour of duty terms” of up to two years, still subject to the discretion of the President. He said this would ensure project continuity while addressing the risk of promotional backlogs among middle-level officers.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa and other senators raised concerns that prolonged terms could demoralize officers who aspire for promotion, but Teodoro stressed the need to balance career progression with mission continuity. He added that specialization must also be fostered in a more technical defense environment, noting that future commanding generals in the Air Force or Navy may not necessarily be pilots or seamen.

“Our force size is meager. For example, in Cagayan and Isabela there is only one brigade, three battalions. In Palawan, which is a very long island, we need one division. That is why project continuity is critical,” Teodoro said. Legarda said the committee would study the DND’s proposals, with the goal of passing priority measures within the year if counterpart bills in the House of Representatives are available.