Plan to develop Pag-Asa Island for tourism catches US interest

MANILA, Philippines - A proposal of the mayor of Kalayaan town in the hotly contested Spratlys for American troops to consider Pag-Asa Island for their rest and recreation while in the country has apparently gotten the interest of the United States government.

This, after two US embassy officials paid Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon a surprise visit at his office in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan yesterday and asked that they be updated about his planned infrastructure development in the island municipality.

“Yes, two US embassy officials visited me to inquire on the infrastructure development in my town,” Bito-onon said. 

Bito-onon said his visitors also inquired from him if there are already private investors who are willing to put their money in Kalayaan, comprising seven islets and two reefs. 

“I told them that so far there’s none… In return, they told me that they, too, are looking forward that private investors would be coming in soon,” Bito-onon said.

But Bito-onon said that before any private investor could come in, his town should have a beaching ramp first and later a safe harbor along with an upgraded airfield.

Once the island has a fully operational beaching ramp, a safe harbor, and an upgraded airport like those on Layang-Layang Island being occupied by the Malaysians, Pag-Asa Island and the other islets can be easily transformed into a world-class diving destination.

“Look at Layang-Layang. Before it’s just a tiny islet. Now it has been transformed into a world-class resort with a hotel and other tourism amenities,” Bito-onon said.

Bito-onon’s proposal to make his island municipality into a key tourist destination has gained the endorsement of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Gazmin said all developmental projects aimed at improving the existing facilities on Pag-Asa Island do not need any clearance or approval from other countries, it being a part of Philippine territory.