Navy personnel on the new beach ramp of the AFP Basing Support System Project Phase 1 in Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan Group of Islands, Palawan. The winning proponent/constructor of Phase 1 is Luzviminda Engineering and its project administrator is the Philippine Navy Combat Engineering Brigade or the SEABEES. On the upper left corner is work being done for Phase 2. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday formally received from a private contractor the newly completed P268-million beaching ramp on Pag-asa Island, a major improvement intended to speed up the transport of cargo to the country鈥檚 largest outpost in the West Philippine Sea.
Reiterating a previous statement, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the completion of the ramp should not be construed as a move by the Philippine government to 鈥渕ilitarize鈥� Pag-asa.
But he said the ramp, a project contracted to Luzviminda Engineering Co. and designed for 鈥渞oll-on, roll-off鈥欌�� sea vessels, would 鈥渞evitalize the community and strengthen Filipino presence鈥欌�� in the West Philippine Sea.
A part of the Kalayaan group of islands, Pag-asa is officially listed as the municipality of Kalayaan under the jurisdiction of Palawan province.
鈥榁ery significant鈥�
On the sidelines of Tuesday鈥檚 turnover rites, Lorenzana said the project was 鈥渧ery significant鈥� as building materials and heavy equipment could now be brought into Pag-asa with ease, especially for maintenance of the island鈥檚 airstrip and the construction of other facilities for its civilian inhabitants numbering around 200.
Without the beaching ramp, large vessels could not go near the island and could bring in supplies only by small boats.
鈥淪o it鈥檚 very tedious and very expensive and we can only do that during calm weather,鈥� he noted.
鈥淭he purpose of this (beaching ramp) is to just develop this area into a viable community,鈥欌�� he said.
鈥淲e will not field heavy weapons. We will not militarize this [island],鈥� the defense chief stressed. 鈥淲e have troops here but they are armed with small arms, for their [personal] protection as soldiers.鈥欌��
But he pointed out that the Kalayaan island chain played a 鈥渟trategic role in reconnaissance missions and exploration activities.鈥�
Next phases
Construction of the ramp began in November 2017 as the first phase of the Philippine military鈥檚 鈥渂asing support system project.鈥�
Phases 2 to 4, which are estimated to cost P1.3 billion, would involve airstrip repairs and other improvements, including an aircraft parking apron; construction of soldiers鈥� barracks, community housing and an FM radio broadcasting center; and power generators.
Lorenzana said beaching ramps could also be constructed in other parts of the Kalayaan group, including Rizal Reef and Lawak and Patag islands.
鈥淚t is still under study because these (other areas) are too far and too small,鈥� he said.
鈥�Jeannette I. Andrade