The Sheltered Port of Pag-asa Island will be turned-over to the Local Government of Kalayaan this month of June, according to a Kalayan Municipal Government official.
The said P450-million Seaport Project, first announced by the President last 2016, was funded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and implemented by the Provincial Government of Palawan (PGP) and this year, the Phase 1 has been completed.
In a phone interview, Kalayaan Spokesperson MP Albayda said that they are waiting for the Inter-Agency Task Force for the West Philippine Sea’s update regarding the program for the turn-over ceremony. Although, Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade, during the IATF-EID Meeting last Thursday, May 29, told President Rodrigo Duterte that Kalayaan Seaport will be operational on “Independence Day” but the inauguration may not be done due to COVID-19.
“So, we’re still waiting po for their further advice kung kailan po ‘yun and then, we’re just preparing po. Ang plano po, sina [Kalayaan] Mayor [Roberto del Mundo] ay pupunta po ng Pag-asa ng June 5 para po sa preparation if ever po na matuloy po [ang event] kasi ang hirap po kasi dito ngayon, medyo maulan na so medyo may mga pre-conditions po tayo na iko-consider regarding po sa pag-turn-over,” Albayda said.
If the program will be pushed through, the beneficiary LGU is expecting the Governor of Palawan, the DOTr head, Wescom, AFP and other visitors and officials to arrive in order to witness the historic turn-over ceremony.
“May phase 2 pa po ito para mas mapatibay pa po ‘yung pier…. We’re looking forward to work it out sa mga agencies po na sanay nang nilalapitan para ito ay mapunduhan,” Albayda also happily added.
With Phase 1 of the multi-million Pag-asa Port Project, access in docking directly to the shores is now possible that would bring ease to the residents, the fishermen and the military as well.
“Pwede na pong mag-dock ang mga lantsang pumupunta roon at hindi na po ship-to-shore. Ngayon nasa shorelane na po [mismo ang dadaong na bangka]; mas madali na pong maibaba ang mga construction material, ang mga cargo, mga pangarga, pati na rin ang pag-transport ng mga tao,” Albayda added.
He also said that the Sheltered Port is a leeway for possible development and economic dynamism of the island of Pag-asa, the seat of the lone barangay of the Municipality of Kalayaan and the entire Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the contested West Philippine Sea (WPS) area.
“That’s one of our missions— [to have a] sustainable tourism [in Kalayaan]. Isa po ‘yun sa mga tinitingan natin na ma-develop at ma-open within sa span ng five to ten years. Kung baga, proactive po ‘yung approach natin in strengthening our local government unit,” he stated when asked if the project is primarily aimed to strengthen the Philippine’s claim in WPS.
Albayda likewise told Palawan Daily News Team that having a seaport in Kalayaan is a big help, especially for the Filipino fishermen.
“Mayron na ring mapagtaguan ang ating mga mangingisda kapag may mga bagyo, kapag mayroon na ring mekanismo po na paggawa ng yelo ay…magiging sustainable na po ‘yung fishing nila…. Hindi na kailangang magpabalik-balik sa kanilang lugar para ma-deliver ang mga kuha nila at pwedeng sa isla na lang sila kukuha [ng yelo] kasi mayroon na silang pagda-dock-an. Madali na lang po ang proseso sa kanilang pamamalakaya,” he stressed out.
And regarding on stressing protection to Kalayaan’s vulnerable environment, he thanked the leadership of PCSD Staff Executive Director TJ Matta that according to him, expressed their intentions to put up sustainable projects in the area.
According to the spokesperson of Kalayaan LGU, if their town will be opened to eco-tourism, the entire municipality has a lot to offer –from its beautiful beaches to camping, SCUBA diving to immersion of people in nature-themed activities such as releasing of baby turtles or hatchlings to the sea.
Meanwhile, Albayda also noted that the DND’s Beaching ramp project, located at the end of Rancudo Airstrip also in Pag-asa Island, is likewise almost finished.
“Pag natapos na ‘yung beaching ramp, although tapos na rin iyon ay isusunod na rin po ‘yung…concreting of the Rancudo Airstrip. [May] tentative [na] din [pong schedule] ang [pag]-turn-over ng DND at Wescom sa beaching ramp para maka-dock na rin po ‘yung gawa ng airstrip,” he added.