Escudero to seek P100M for lodging facility at Ayungin Shoal in 2024 budget

Senator Francis Escudero will propose the allocation of at least P100 million in the 2024 national budget for the construction of a lodging facility at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The lawmaker manifested his plan after Senator Jinggoy Estrada delivered a privilege speech refuting claims that his father, former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada, committed to China to remove BRP Sierra Madre from the disputed area.

“I will be proposing, in the deliberations of the national budget, that we allocate at least P100 million for the construction of facilities in that area,” Escudero said during Tuesday’s plenary session.

“Not a military base, but a shelter, a lodging facility, not only for our soldiers but for fishermen whatever their nationality maybe, who maybe facing rough waters, in that part of the sea, and they can find shelter perhaps there, in case it should so happen,” he added.

This, he said, would enable the government to finally replace the BRP Sierra Madre at the Ayungin Shoal.

In a television interview earlier in the day, Escudero said the proposal is "not designed to anger China or bring us closer to the brink [of war]."

He said the planned funding can be lodged under the budget of civilian agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“Civilian agencies such as DPWH or PCG should build this structure so as not to add to the militarization of the area,” Escudero said. “Kung ako ang tatanungin, mas gusto ko sa DPWH dahil hindi naman giyera ang layunin natin dito. Tutal naman basta infrastructure ang pinag-uusapan, DPWH ang nag-iimplement,” he added.

The BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at the Ayungin Shoal for over two decades. The ship, manned by more than a dozen Marines and sailors, has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. Ayungin is located 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country’s exclusive economic zone.

China has objected to the resupply missions, saying that the Philippines is "transporting construction materials" to the grounded ship "with the intent of permanently occupying" the shoal.

Estrada, who chairs the Senate defense panel, expressed full support for Escudero’s proposal but he said the said amount “might not be sufficient to build any structure” on Ayungin Shoal or even on Pag-asa Island.

Basic services on Pag-asa

Estrada, who visited Pag-asa Island in May, said that even basic government centers have not been established on Pag-Asa Island.

“Even the health center, the barangay center, there [are] no other services that can be offered by our government there. So, I fully support the proposal of Senator Escudero,” Estrada said.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also committed to include Escudero’s suggestion in the list of institutional amendments to be introduced to the 2024 national budget.

“This representation will commit, but [as] part of our institutional amendments, I would help Pag-Asa Island and I fully support the motion or the plan of Senator Escudero to also assist BRP Sierra Madre through these facilities. You will have my support,” Zubiri said.

The BRP Sierra Madre has again hit the headlines after China's coast guard recently used water cannons on a Philippine mission to resupply its crew stationed at the Ayungin Shoal.

In a separate privilege speech, Senator Robin Padilla, who visited Pag-asa Island for the second time last August 11, highlighted its significance in terms of geopolitics.

“Napakaliit na lupa na may napakanipis na populasyon—pero wala pong makatatanggi at walang pag-aalinlangang kong sasabihin na ang Pag-asa ang pinakamahalaga at pinakamakapangyarihang yunit na saklaw ng Pilipinas sa usaping geopolitikal,” he said.

However, Padilla lamented that the government services on the island are lacking.

He said that the municipal hall of Kalayaan Island is still not rehabilitated two years after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette and the basic education schools oin Pag-asa Island remain roofless.

Padilla also stressed the need for disaster-resilient housing infrastructure for the residents of the island.

The houses could be built similar to those in Santorini, Greece, which can withstand disasters, he said.

Apart from constructing basic government facilities on the island, Padilla said the government must consider Pag-asa Island as a tourism destination for its Maldives-like beaches.

Making Pag-asa Island a fishing hub could also be a way to open livelihood opportunities in the area, he said.

“Panahon na po para maging pugad ng mga mangingisda ang Kalayaan. Maisasagawa po natin ito kung may fuel dump o gasolinahan sa mismong isla. Dapat ay may sustainable na pagkukunan ng enerhiya ang mga motor boats at power supply para sa mga residente ng Pag-asa,” he said.

“Napakalaki ng pag-asa sa Pag-asa. Alam naman po natin ito. Lahat ng lugar, kung iiwang nakatiwangwang at walang nakatira, titirahan po yan at titirahan ng mga iskwater. Sa kaso po natin, ang mga banyagang iskwater, hindi natin kayang sipain ng pwersahan. Ang pinakamainam po sa lahat ay punuin natin ito ng mga Pilipinong maninirahan sa islang tinatawag nating atin,” he stressed. — BM, GMA Integrated News