Beaching ramp in Pag-asa Island now in place

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led Tuesday the inauguration of the beaching ramp for the Pag-asa Island.

LOOK: Today, Pag-asa Island’s beaching ramp was formally turned over to the Philippine government. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana graced the inauguration of the said beaching ramp. | via @annafelicia_

: DNDpic.twitter.com/Bp01ERvCie

— GMA News (@gmanews) June 9, 2020

Speaking to reporters, Lorenzana expressed confidence that the "historic" completion of the beaching ramp would pave the way for the vitalization of the community in the island and the strengthening of Filipino presence in the area.

"Very significant kasi with the beaching ramp, we can now bring in more materials, equipment to continuously repair, to repair and then later on to maintain our airstrip," Lorenzana said.

"Kasi before this beaching ramp, when you bring in equipment here or anything, you have to anchor about one or 500 meters away and transfer the goods in a small boat to be brought here so it's very tedious and very expensive," he added.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Felimon Santos, Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Bacordo, and Philippine Air Force commander Lieutenant General Allen Paredes also attended the inauguration ceremony.

Lorenzana was asked if President Rodrigo Duterte will visit the island, he said he does not know yet.

"One time, he announced that he will come here... But noong magpunta siya doon sa China, ni-retract niya 'yun. Tapos sabi niya, he don't want to, alam mo naman sabi niya, 'Yung mga Chinese mga kaibigan natin, I don't want to hurt their feelings,’" Lorenzana recalled.

"So, I don't know if before he leaves he can come here kahit na just once only..." he said.

According to the Department of National Defense, the construction of the beaching ramp in Pag-asa, with a total budget of P267.18 million, is one of the several projects aimed at improving the living conditions of the people in the Municipality of Kalayaan.

The DND said a total of P1.3 billion worth of projects are also in the pipeline, including the repair and concreting of the runway that has been damaged by erosion.

"Kailangan pagandahin ito dahil 'yung ating kapitbahay eh tuloy-tuloy 'yung pag-improve ng kanilang island," Lorenzana said.

Earlier, Lorenzana said the island would not be militarized as he sees no threat from other forces in the area.

He reiterated that he is aware of the presence of Chinese militias in the island. He said they can stay there but he noted that they should not harass Filipino fishermen.

"Basta huwag nilang molestiyahin ang ating fishermen, they can stay there. Hindi naman natin sila puwedeng mapaalis eh," Lorenzana said.

The Phase 2 of the AFP Basing Support System in the island will include the repair of the runway, the DND said.

The third phase will be for the concreting of the runway and parking apron of PAF while the fourth phase will be the construction of other PAF facilities. —AOL, GMA News