Teachers from Quezon, Palawan volunteer to teach on Pag-asa Island

Several teachers from the town of Quezon here in Palawan have volunteered to teach at the Pag-asa Island Integrated School, situated in the Kalayaan Island Group, amidst the continued presence of foreign vessels in the surrounding waters.

Although Eunice Grace Cabitac, a teacher at the school, had already been present on the island, additional teachers from her hometown Quezon, arrived two weeks ago, joining her in this admirable mission.

They traveled for 4 hours from Quezon to Puerto Princesa, and spent almost 2 days on the boat to reach Pag-asa.

In a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, Cabitac expressed optimism that the students’ future success and their potential to become future leaders is possible despite the challenges they face due to their remote location.

“Malayo man kami sa pamilya, pero masaya kami na nakikita namin ‘yung mga estudyante na natututo sila habang nandito kami,” she said.

Currently accommodating 83 students in two classrooms, the Pag-asa Island Integrated School anticipates additional enrollments as the island’s population grows.

Pagasa Island, also known as Thitu Island, is a vital outpost in the contested West Philippine Sea, located approximately 280 miles west of Palawan. Despite its small size of just 37.2 hectares, its significance extends far beyond its physical dimensions. It serves as the largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands and hosts a civilian community, a military garrison, and vital infrastructure.

It now homes over 200 residents, who at some point came to the island with a sense of adventure and courage from different Palawan towns.

In the face of ongoing Chinese foreign vessel activities around Pagasa Island, the Philippine Navy, WESCOM, PCG, and community volunteers like the teachers from Quezon have taken the lead in asserting Philippine sovereignty and maritime security against unauthorized intrusions.

The island provides not just a home for its residents but also holds their stories and hopes for a better future amidst escalating tensions in the disputed seas.