The municipal government of the Kalayaan in Palawan has called on more national government officials to visit Pag-asa Island, as they hope for more improvements in their community.
“Ang panawagan ni Mayor [Beltzasar Alindogan], mas maraming national officials ang makabisita ng Pag-asa for them to see for themselves na may komunidad ng Pilipino rito at pagtulung-tulungan ang mga kailangang serbisyo,” Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela told Super Radyo dzBB.
(The call of Kalayaan Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan is for more national government officials to visit Pag-asa Island so they can see for themselves the Filipino community there and work together to provide services.)
Tarriela made the statement following the visit of Senator Risa Hontiveros, who also delivered medical assistance to residents and reaffirmed the Philippines’ claim and presence in the area.
Pag-asa is the largest island in Kalayaan and considered the seat of the municipal government.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta earlier drew flak for saying that perhaps the Philippines can let go of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) as it is beyond the country’s exclusive economic zone. He has insisted, however, that his words were “abbreviated” and taken out of context.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Kalayaan has asked the Commission on Appointments to expunge from congressional records Marcoleta’s remarks.
“Wala naman daw mga galit sa mga residente ng Kalayaan. Open pa rin silang imbitahan ang kahit sinong senador. They just need to understand the condition and situation right now sa Pag-asa,” he added.
(None of the residents are mad. They are open to inviting any senator. They just need to understand the condition and situation right now in Pag-asa Island.)
Tarriela also shared that residents of KIG stood their ground and refused to leave their homes.
“Kung aalis kami dito, ang maiiwan na lang ang mga sundalo, iisipin lang ng tao na military concern lang ang West Philippine Sea. But if we are to retain the LGU at civilian here, mas mapapakita natin na tayo ang may-ari ng isla na ito,” Tarriela said, as he shared the sentiments of Kalayaan residents.
(If we leave, and only the military remains, the people will think that the West Philippine Sea is only of military concern. But if we are to retain the LGU and the civilians here, we will show that the islands are ours.)
“Naiintindihan ng mga residente and they also appreciate their very important patriotic role nila sa pagtindig natin sa West Philippine Sea,” he added.
(The residents understand and they also appreciate their very important patriotic role in standing up for the West Philippine Sea.)
Among the services needed by locals in Kalayaan, Tarriela said, is a cold storage facility for their catch.
The PCG official said residents are also expecting boats from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and a salt field initiative from the Department of Agriculture. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
