By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully placed navigational buoys in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, May 18.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) placed five 30-foot long navigational buoys carrying the Philippine flag in four islands in the West Philippine Sea: Lawak Island, Likas Island, Parola Island, and Pag-asa Island.
In Laging Handa press briefing, PCG Marine Environmental Protection Command Commander Rear Admiral Robert Patrimonio said the five buoys are the “sovereign markers of the country” which will mainly serve as seafarer’s guide in navigating the area.
“These are sovereign markers of our country, but ang pinaka-intention lang is to guide our seafarers navigating in that area para magkaroon ng ligtas na paglalayag ang ating mga barko na dumaraan sa area na iyon. But this will be a source of our national pride by placing these sovereign markers,” Patrimonio said.
He added those islands are rich in marine resources, which he described as a “paradise and can keep pace with Boracay Island.”
“Noong ako po ay isang ensign way back 1992, napakayaman nitong mga lugar na ito sa yamang dagat, maraming isda. Maikukumpara mo ang lugar, ma’am, parang paraiso, parang Boracay. Mas maganda pa kaysa sa Boracay, ma’am,” Patrimonio continued.
Patrimonio said he is hopeful that those islands will be developed into tourist attractions someday.
“So, hopefully these will be developed and become a tourist attraction later kung mapatatag natin ang seguridad sa lugar na iyon,” he said. – gb
