Speaker Romualdez, House leaders visit Pag-asa Island, promise aid to fisherfolk

Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte led the delegation of House leaders who visited Pag-asa island in Palawan on Thursday and vowed to earmark funds to build storm shelter and solar power plants in the area.

Romualdez, in a statement, said they paid a visit to the Pag-asa island to be apprised of the challenges being faced by the island’s residents, as well as the armed personnel manning the country’s outpost in the West Philippine Sea.

“It’s clear that Pag-asa Island needs a development plan. The House of Representatives will take the lead in coming up with such a plan, being the institution responsible for the national budget and national policies that need legislation,” he said.

The House Speaker said the construction of a storm shelter for fishermen where they can take  refuge during typhoons or when they experience mechanical trouble while in the high seas will be prioritized.

Likewise, he said the House will work on funding needed to build a solar energy plant; ice and cold storage facilities; a desalination plant; satellite-based communication facilities; as well as conduct of seafood-based livelihood training.

He also distributed solar lamps with AM/FM radios to soldiers and local residents in Pag-asa before going to Puerto Princesa to pay his respects to the late mayor and congressman Edward Hagedorn who died two days ago at 76.

Pag-asa island is under the jurisdiction of the Kalayaan municipality in Palawan. It is also a part of the Kalayaan Group of Islands, which the Philippines is claiming as part of its sovereign territory.

Joining the Speaker in the visit were House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe of Zamboanga City, House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list and House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan of 4Ps party-list.—LDF, GMA Integrated News