Lorenzana: Projects now being constructed in West Philippine Sea

Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said several construction projects are ongoing in the West Philippine Sea.

During the House budget hearing on the proposed P297,136,636,000 funds for the Defense Department next year, Lorenzana identified some of the projects in the WPS.

“We have established littoral monitoring stations in our feature in Spratly’s…Pagasa is now being refurbished. We are now cementing the runway,” he said.

“The features in Parola, Kota Island, Lawak Island, Ayungin Shoal, Patag, Panata, are also being constructed with…we are putting up barracks, helipad…” he added.

When the construction on Pagasa Island is finished, Lorenzana said they will build a fuel depot in the area.

Recently, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the Philippines will boost its marine research efforts in the WPS.

He added that several government infrastructure projects, such as ports and airfields, would be built close to the West Philippine Sea.

“We are also now reactivating our marine research center [on] Pagasa Island,” he said.

Esperon added that the Philippines might cooperate with other countries in marine research to better study and protect the West Philippine Sea.

More vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others, will be deployed in the WPS in 2022, according to him. — RSJ, GMA News