Newly-appointed Western Command (WESCOM) chief Rear Admiral
Ronald Joseph Mercado said efforts to improve billeting conditions of
personnel, whether ashore or aboard ship, is always a priority of the unit
commander.
This matter should be taken care of as it involves the
morale and welfare of the troops, he added.
"Whether ashore or aboard ship, habitability should
always be taken care of by the unit commander," Mercado stressed.
The WESCOM chief earlier said resupply missions to Filipino
troops in far-flung areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have become much
easier due to the arrival of more modern ships of the Philippine Navy.
WESCOM is the military command tasked to secure the
country's western frontier which includes Palawan
and the WPS.
"Right now, we have more ships that are able to
navigate in those waters. These include the two Gregorio Del Pilar frigates.
Formerly, we can only conduct resupply missions every three months due to the
limitation in ships, but now with more assets in place, we can conduct resupply
every 45 days," he said in Filipino.
This means that troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal, Pagasa
(Thitu) Island, Lawak (Nanshan) Island, Parola (Northeast Cay) Island, Patag
(Flat) Island, Kota (Loaita) Island, Rizal (Commodore) Reef, Likas (West York)
Island, and Panata (Lankiam Cay) Island can always get fresh supplies, he
added.
Aside from the Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates, other
naval assets acquired in the ongoing modernization program include the five
ex-Australian landing craft heavies, six multi-purpose assault craft and five
AgustaWestland helicopters.
"And when they need something, we are able to provide
their request," Mercado stressed.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=891480
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