PHL Navy detachment to be constructed in Cagayan

The Philippine Navy and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) on Wednesday approved the proposed construction of a Philippine Navy detachment in Fuga Island in Aparri, Cagayan.

According to the Navy, CEZA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Secretary Raul Lambino and Navy Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad signed the Memorandum of Agreement at the Philippine Navy headquarters.

"Through the memorandum of agreement we have just signed today… the Navy and CEZA can indeed accomplish more as we mutually enhance each other's capacity to perform our respective mandates," Empedrad said in a statement.

He also thanked Lambino for agreeing to expand the previous memorandum of agreement. Lambino, meanwhile, underscored the importance of the Navy's partnership with CEZA.

"The geographical configuration of our country requires an active Philippine Navy. As a Filipino and as an Ilocano together with Vice Admiral [Empedrad] we are going to make Northern Luzon an area where the Philippine Navy can be most effective in protecting our country and our people," Lambino said.

The construction of the detachment was proposed by Naval Station Jose Andrada. It will be built in the CEZA-managed zone, which has "access to the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea, which is vital for the country's national security."