Tolentino questions lack of funds for naval chain stations in Batanes, Tawi-Tawi

Senator Francis Tolentino questioned Wednesday the lack of funds for the establishment of naval chain stations in Batanes and Tawi-Tawi in 2020 amid the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.

“We have an island in Batanes, Mabulis Island, which is now being manned by the Philippine Marines. There is also an island in Tawi-Tawi, Pangwal island, nakita ko doon, maganda itong stratehiya pero hindi ko nakita na nakasama sa budgetary plans ng Department of National Defense,” Tolentino said during the plenary deliberation on the DND’s P191 billion budget.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, finance committee vice chairman, said the budget for the naval stations could be included next year, adding that the DND agree with the proposal of Tolentino.

“Hindi ito naisama sa National Expenditure Program (this year) although agree naman sila sa mungkahi na dapat magkaroon ng small unit forward bases. Probably pag dating ng Marso, sa isang taon pag nagkaron ng budget call, seriously they will be asking for appropriations or budget to put up the facilities that you are talking about,” he said.

Tolentino said the two locations could be strategically utilized to monitor vessels going near the country’s territorial waters.

He cited the naval ships of China that passed through the country undetected.

“Kaya ko po ito nabanggit, several months ago, two naval ships of the People’s Republic of China happened to pass by the area unannounced, undetected after a few days near the Tawi-Tawi island that is now being manned by the Philippine Marines detachment,” he said.

He, however, expressed apprehension if the budget will be given in 2021.

“Kaya ko po sinasabi ito kung hihintayin pa natin yung 2020 budget call baka marami nang dumaan uli na barkong pandigma ng ilang bansa, ni hindi natin nadedetect,” he said.

He also asked how the naval stations would be maintained if there is no budgetary support.

Lacson said he will try to scout for some amount from other agency as he asked the help of Tolentino to find allocations that can be realigned.

“Let’s see if we can realign whatever necessary appropriation is needed to man those two islands that you just mentioned,” he said.

He said the DND is already computing the needed fund which could amount to P20 million  for  putting up the facility and P50 million for the maintenance a year.

“Pinag-aralan na nila and they will try to look for some funds sa ilalim ng kanilang MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) kung pupwedeng isakatuparan  ‘yung inyong mungkahi,” he said.

“Tama kayo na hindi na kailangang hintayin. Baka may incursions na naman na mangyari at mawala ang ating mga isla off Batanes and off Tawi-Tawi,” he added.

Tolentino, an active Brigadier General of Philippine Army reserve force, earlier filed Senate Bill 1143 or the Philippine Archipelagic Defense Act which urges the government to make a special appropriations fund for the establishment of naval stations from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.

"Kailangan natin palakasin ang ating department of national defense, kailangan natin iangat din ang kaledad ng mga armas at kagamitan ng Armed Fforces natin, kailangan na kilalanin din tayo,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News