Gov't eyes naval base in Misamis Oriental

The government plans to establish a naval base in Misamis Oriental, according to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters, Teodoro said the proposed naval base will act as the base of the Philippine Naval Operations in Mindanao and will be the home of the Philippine Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing.

“May runway na tayo, secure ang runway at pinalalakihan na rin ang rampa para ganon may bagsakan ng goods at services. Yung naval base na proposed, magiging logistics center din. Yung mga heavy goods na kinakailangan for military purposes or for humanitarian assistance or disaster response na di kaya ng air, doon idadaong,” he said.

(We have a secure runway, and we are widening the ramp so that there is somewhere to unload the goods and services. The proposed naval base will also become a logistics center. The heavy goods needed for military purposes or humanitarian purposes that cannot be transported by air will be docked there.)

“Matagal na plano ito. Pinatutupad lang natin, pinabibilisan lang natin… It makes sense na nung nilisan ito, tinake over ng Philippine Air Force; make use of it. It is even closer than Laguindingan [airport] to Cagayan de Oro and other major centers,” he added.

(This has been a plan for so long. We are just implementing this; we are just doing it faster…  It makes sense that when this was abandoned, the police force took over and made use of it. It is even closer than Laguindingan [airport] to Cagayan de Oro and other major centers.)

Concerned agencies are targeting completion by 2026 and are hoping for further support from Congress.

“Kailangan ng suporta ng local government at Kongreso kasi pagka nagawa na ito, kailangan namin ng budget para patakbuhin ito. Hindi lang yung budget na pagtayo, kailangan din ng gastos para i-maintain at gamitin ng tama kasi sayang din ang magandang facility kung di natin gagastusan ng maintenance,” Teodoro said.

(We need the support of the local government and the Congress because when this is completed, we also need a budget to operate it. We don’t only need a budget to construct this, we also need money to maintain and use it properly because a good facility is wasted if you do not spend anything for maintenance.) — Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News