PH Coast Guard unveils improved station on Pag-asa

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently unveiled its upgraded station on Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea.

The official turnover was held on the island last Aug. 31, with top coast guard officials witnessing the event online.

The Coast Guard District Palawan said the new facility was a four-unit structure made of pre-fabricated modular containers donated by the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.

It said the new station is “a fitting symbol of the continuing and growing significance of Coast Guard District Palawan as one of the foremost sentries of the Philippine Western Frontier.”

The station is fully furnished to improve living conditions of PCG personnel deployed to the island. Site preparations and other construction work began last July 12 and was completed last Aug. 11.

“The Philippine Coast Guard is now marking another milestone in its pursuit of infrastructure development and service excellence at KIG in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary,” said Coast Guard District Palawan commander Commodore Genito Basilio, referring to Kalayaan Island Group.

The PCG earlier said it planned to improve its station on Pag-asa to boost monitoring capabilities in the area amid continuing Chinese incursions in Philippine waters.

Pag-asa, the biggest and most strategically important Philippine outpost in the Kalayaan Island Group, is 400 kilometers from mainland Palawan province. It is the only Philippine-held feature with a civilian community, while eight other islands and reefs are occupied by Filipino troops.

TSB