The House of Representatives has vowed to finance the development of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea amid the intensifying geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China.
While the amount has yet to be disclosed, Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on Thursday that the funds will go to finance storm shelters for fishermen, a solar power plant, ice and cold storage facilities, a desalination plant, and satellite-based communication facilities, among others.
The commitment came following a tour by Romauldez, majority leader Mannix Dalipe, minority leader Nonoy Libanan, and House committee appropriations Elizaldy Co accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner, wherein they had first-hand discussions with the island's local folk and the armed personnel manning the country's outpost in the West Philippine Sea.
Building these critical infrastructures in Pag-asa Island, Romualdez said, will help mitigate the challenges faced by Filipino soldiers and fishermen operating in the disputed waters in the Spratly Group of Islands and to boost their military might to further safeguard the Philippine territory.
"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 Speaker added that supporting local troops in the area underscores the Philippine government's commitment to assert its sovereignty over territorial waters.
Romualdez, in a late press conference on Thursday, said that the House appropriations panel will look into the necessary measures to finance the establishment of such crucial infrastructures.
Back in September, deputy speaker Ralph Recto lamented that a "measly" P80 million allocation to strengthen Pag-asa Island would be insufficient to cover the development of military facilities in the said area.
Recto said the national government could not just make "loud noises" in defending the WPS but must set aside a greater budget for the Pag-asa Island to help the defense sector execute its military might in the disputed area.
Under the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024, the funding allocated for the improvement of military infrastructure in Pag-asa Island lobbied under the Department of Public Works and Highways' Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad Program or TIKAS is merely P80 million, according to the Batangas lawmaker.