State-owned aerospace and defense industry corporation of the Philippines
The Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) is a state-owned aerospace and defense technological development corporation integrated to the Department of National Defense through Executive Order No. 78, s. 2019.[1] As of 2021, PADC is under organizational realignment with the Philippine Department of National Defense's and National Security Council's highly classified plans and programs, including but not limited to its vital functions under Presidential Decree No. 415 and amended by Presidential Decree No. 1081.[2][3]
PADC operates a joint venture with Airbus known as Airbus Helicopters Philippines.[4]
History
The corporation was established on September 5, 1973, by the virtue of Presidential Decree No. 286, which was issued by then-President Ferdinand Marcos.[5][6] The decree served as the charter of the corporation was revised through Presidential Decree No. 696 issued by Marcos on May 9, 1975.[7]
The mandate of the firm is to establish a "reliable aviation and aerospace industry" in the Philippines, design, manufacture and sell "all forms" of aircraft, as well as to develop indigenous capabilities in the maintenance, repair, and modification of aviation equipment.[8]
It attempted to develop local aircraft such as the PADC Hummingbird helicopter and the PADC Defiant single-engine trainer in the 1980s but the programs were scrapped due to licensing issues and lack of government support[5] with problem of legal issues on intellectual property rights.[9]
Following a meeting of the Governance Commission for GOCCs in late 2017, the option of abolishing PADC was floated. Those present in the meeting citing that the PADC had failed its mandate particularly in successfully designing a plane for the last 45 years.[5]
Then-PADC director, Rene Abad, called for the PADC's ‘revitalization’ instead, to contribute to the country's development and security in 2018.[10]
On March 15, 2019, through Executive Order No. 78 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, the corporation was effectively transferred from the transportation department to the Department of National Defense.[11]
On May 16, 2022, PADC signed a MOU with HAL to potentially acquire the Prachand [LCH], LUH and the Tejas [Light Combat Aircraft].[12]
On November 7, 2022, House Bill 3622 was passed in the Senate, which called for extending PADC.[13] On March 21, 2023, Senator Imee Marcos passed Senate Bill No. 2033, which is currently pending in the Senate.[14] It called for the extension of the PADC by 50 years.[14]
