The Philippine government will be building a P450-million port in the Spratly Islands amid warming ties with our Asian neighbors, especially the People’s Republic of China, under the Duterte administration.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the port will be located at Barangay Pag-asa in the Kalayaan Island Group, the Philippines smallest municipality located 518 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City.

Funding for the project has been included in the House-approved 2017 General Appropriations Act, under the P3.98-billion spending program for the maritime sector of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Pimentel said.

The new port would vastly improve accessibility to the area and bolster the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea, according to a DOTr report submitted to Congress.

The entire Spratly archipelago and its many ridges are being claimed by China, prompting the Philippines to file a case before the United Nations-back Arbitral Tribunal.

In July, the international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines, stressing that China has no legal basis to claim exclusive rights over the area.

The ruling further widened the rift between the neighboring countries until President Duterte started pivoting to China.

President Duterte recently visited China, renewing the strained relations of the two neighbors. The visit resulted in investment commitments from China as well a stop in the harassment of Filipino fishermen at the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

“We support the port development project, which will surely help encourage human settlement in the remote Philippine island which now has less than 400 residents, mostly fishermen,” said Pimentel, also a member of the House Committee on National Defense and Security.

Pimentel also suggested that the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources consider putting up a research station in Pag-asa.

He likewise urged the Department of Energy to find ways to provide the 37.2-hectare island with a renewable and stable source of electricity.

At present, only a 75KVa generator set supplies the electricity needs of the island.

A low-lying landmass surrounded by shallow coral ranges, Pag-asa has been occupied by the Philippines since 1970.

The late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos established by decree in 1978 the Municipality of Kalayaan over the Kalayaan Island Group under the Province of Palawan.

Pag-asa is the lone barangay of Kalayaan.

At present, Pag-asa is guarded by a small military detachment led by an officer with the rank of lieutenant. The Philippine Navy also has the Naval Station Emilio Liwanag in the island.

Pag-asa used to be a purely Philippine military installation, until government allowed civilians to settle in the area.

The island has an unpaved 1.3-kilometer airstrip, a one-classroom primary school, and a five-bed clinic

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Yas D. Ocampo

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