Presidential yacht to undergo P32-M facelift

THE PHILIPPINE Navy has earmarked P32 million for the scheduled repair and maintenance of the BRP Pangulo (AT-25), the 56-year-old presidential yacht.

Navy public affairs office chief Commander Lued Lincuna said the refurbishment of the presidential yacht is scheduled every four years and is part of the uniformed service’s Deploy, Sustain, Repair and Train program.

The Navy has set aside P32.48 million for a 90-day contract that would cover the repairs of the machinery and other systems of the BRP Ang Pangulo.

Lincuna said the dry docking of the presidential yacht and other related repairs will ensure its operational readiness.

“The ship will undergo dry docking to maintain its hull integrity, servicing and repair of its machinery and its electrical system and improve its habitability. It will also include the training and refurbishing of personnel and their equipment,” the Navy spokesperson said.

The Navy said interested parties may purchase bid documents for a nonrefundable fee of P25,000 at the Navy Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), Bonifacio Naval Station, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.

The nonrefundable fee must be paid at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Finance Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The bid opening will be on March 8 at 9 a.m. at the Navy BAC in Fort Bonifacio.

The BRP Ang Pangulo, a presidential yacht, was acquired by the Philippine government in 1959 as part of Japan’s war reparations. It was first used by then President Carlos Garcia.

It has been renamed many times, first as the RPS Lapu-Lapu (PY-77) in 1959.