Steel-hulled boat to enhance travel on Kalayaan Island

MANILA, Philippines - Unmindful of China’s continuing infrastructure development on Subi Reef, the municipal government of Kalayaan Island will acquire a steel-hulled ship to enhance the transport needs of its residents and tourists.

Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr. said P10 million has been allocated for the acquisition of the vessel to address travel demands to and from the island town.

“We are acquiring another vessel. This time it will be steel-hulled,” Bito-onon said.

Aside from military transport planes and Navy logistics ships, the island town relies mainly on its wooden-hulled M/L Seagull in transporting goods and supplies.

Located in the middle of the disputed territory, Kalayaan town has drawn interest not only among Filipinos but also foreign tourists.

“Because of the maritime awareness campaign, a lot of visitors are lining up to visit our island town,” Bito-onon said.

Last week several groups of local and foreign tourists visited the island aboard a military cargo plane.

 “Some of the visitors were surprised to know that a town exists on Pag-Asa Island,” Bito-onon said, adding the visitors saw the Chinese ships and construction equipment on nearby Subi Reef.

Subi Reef, one of the seven reefs that have been reclaimed by China, is located 12 nautical miles from Pag-Asa Island.

Bito-onon said residents are alarmed by the Chinese activities on Subi Reef.