Pag-asa Island residents deal with own challenges amid sea tension

Amid tension between the Philippines and China, residents of Pag-asa Island continue to face other issues in their community.

According to Ian Cruz's report on "24 Oras," students on the island are using donated structures from the Western Command and the municipality as classrooms after their school building was destroyed by Typhoon Odette in 2021.

While several students who belong to more than one grade level are taught in one classroom, others have their classes under the shade of a tree.

The 11 teachers and almost 100 students continue to wait for the completion of a new school building.

Teachers are also hoping for enough resources for their students, as well as hazard pay and adequate housing.

She also added that the school was a key to increasing the number of residents on the island.

“Kasi yung mga bata may opportunity na pwede dito magaaral. Then pangalawa, yung iba nagtatrabaho dito yung sa construction at mostly na-assign sa LGU,” said Pag-asa Island Coordinator Marilou Valles.

(Because the children have the opportunity to study here. And second, the other people working here are in construction and are mostly assigned to the LGU)

The Department of Education said that the hardship index for the Ind was low, but they continue to monitor the situation in Pag-asa despite the lack of hazard pay or special hardship allowance for teachers.

They are also looking into possible housing projects, and stated that the new school building was now 20% complete as per the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Meanwhile, fishermen on Pag-asa Island worry about the decreasing fish catch due to the destructive fishing practices of foreigners.