The allocation of an additional P3.03 billion to strengthen infrastructure in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) underscores the government’s continued efforts to safeguard the nation’s extensive territories, Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said on Tuesday.
“The appropriations allocated by the national government for our island features in the WPS is a manifestation of the government’s thrust to ensure our forces are secured and sustained as they implement the CADC (Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept),” Trinidad said.
The senior navy official emphasized this demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that “not one square inch” of Philippine territory will be surrendered, and the nation’s territorial rights will be upheld.
Earlier, Surigao 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel announced that Congress allocated P3.03-billion this year to strengthen infrastructure development in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) of Palawan within the WPS.
The fund includes P1.65-billion for the development of the Pag-asa Island airport and P300-million for its shelter port. Pimentel also revealed that an additional P1.08 billion was allocated for the construction of the second phase of the shelter port on Lawak Island.
All three projects are fully detailed in the 2025 General Appropriations Law.
