DND allotting P300 million for naval facility in Palawan

From the Daily Tribune (Nov 20): DND allotting P300 million for naval facility in Palawan

The Department of National Defense (DND) is allotting more than P300 million for the improvement of a naval facility along Oyster Bay in Palawan, facing the West Philippine Sea where the disputed Kalayaan Islands Group (KIGs) or the Spratlys are located.

The DND, in its official website, opened for public bidding the bases support and logistics system project for the Philippine Navy in Palawan worth P313,614,957.11.

The projects include construction of a pier and harbor with approved budget of P237,121,130.22 and putting up of support facilities, like road networks, worth P76,493,826.89 at the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay, Puerto Princesa City.

The military’s Western Command (Wescom), particularly the Naval Forces West (Navforwest), welcomed the projects at the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay as huge boost to the unit’s capability in performing its tasks, especially in protecting the country’s territorial integrity.

Commodore Natalio Abinuman, Navforwest commander, said that while the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay has an existing pier, the structure is in bad shape.

“If we have like that (improvement projects), it is better because we can properly support our vessels…the pier is rundown and the facilities are not enough like power connection,” said Abinuman.

“Of course, our ships in the West Philippine Sea need support,” added Abinuman.
Aside from extending support to Navy ships in the area, Abinuman also said that improvements on Oyster Bay will surely boost development in the area.

“Hopefully, when the base is fixed through the allocated budget, it will help in the development of the area. It is also for our own good,” said Abinuman.

Abinuman, however, stressed that the improvement projects are not directed against any country, particularly China.

The KIGs or the Spratlys, which are being claimed by the Philippines, China, Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam, lie on the West Philippine Sea. Tension between the Philippines and China had been high following Beijing’s increased activities in the disputed area.

Lt. Cheryl Tindog, spokesman of the Wescom, echoed Abinuman’s statements, maintaining that the planned improvement of the Naval Detachment Oyster Bay is really needed.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/dnd-allotting-p300-million-for-naval-facility-in-palawan