Jinggoy steers Senate ratification of PH Self-Reliance Defense Posture Program: Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada sponsors the bicameral conference committee report the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization (SRDP) bill, a measure reviving the 1970s SRDP program, focusing on domestic manufacturing and local sourcing of defense materials. In his speech, the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security Chairperson expressed gratitude to their counterparts in the House for accepting the upper chamber’s version as the working draft. Key provisions from the lower house were also accepted, including guiding principles on the development of the National Defense Industry and programs for emerging technologies, Estrada said. Additional incentives were also introduced to attract investors to the local defense industry. The measure was unanimously approved during Monday’s plenary session, August 12, 2024. (Office of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada/Rey Javelosa)