By Civ Alonzo-Cruz
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Monday (Dec. 20) that they will continue their disaster relief operations to the typhoon-affected areas in Palawan even though their newly built hub in Pag-Asa Island was also not spared by the Typhoon Odette.
In an interview, PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said that they are prioritizing to help the affected people in Pag-asa Island, Puerto Princesa City, and Southern Palawan.
He also confirmed that their station in Pag-Asa Island in the town of Kalayaan, Palawan was destroyed by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. Their operation hub was just finished in November this year.
“Now, we are looking at Palawan. Kailangan talaga. In fact, pati ‘yung Coast Guard Station (CGS) namin sa Pag-Asa Island sa Kalayaan [ay] reported na talagang washed out. Katatayo lang nung CGS sa Kalayaan. Walang natira eh,” Balilo said.
“Kung ‘yung Coast Guard Station sa Kalayaan sa Pag-Asa [Island] ay nasira, how much more ‘yung ibang mga stations din doon? May mga bahay din doon, mga eskuwelahan,” he added.
President Duterte directed the use of all government resources to ensure the goods will be delivered immediately in typhoon-affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao. With this, the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard are using their ships and boats to augment the immediate delivery of supplies, equipment, and food in coastal areas.
PCG Commodore Balilo emphasized the need to rebuild the damaged structures in Pag-Asa Island, as the island also asserts Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
“Kailangan nating i-rebuild ‘yung mga structures natin sa Pag-Asa because it’s a symbol of our exercise of sovereignty doon sa area para mai-project din natin nang mabuti ‘yung ating territory doon,” he said.
Meanwhile, Balilo added that he still has not received reports regarding the condition of BRP Sierra Madre, which is located at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
BRP Sierra Madre was a decommissioned US naval vessel that was transferred to Philippine Navy in 1976 after the Vietnam War. It was deliberately ran aground in the Ayungin Shoal by the Philippine Navy in 1999 to serve as an outpost in the area due to territorial disputes with China. -rir
