(Ilalaan ng Kamara) P3-B PARA SA DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SA PAG-ASA ISLAND

MATAPOS ang kanyang kauna-unahang pagtuntong sa Pag-asa Island, inihayag ni Speaker Martin Romualdez na maglalaan ang Kamara ng P3 bilyon para sa pagsasagawa ng iba’t ibang development projects sa isla.

“It’s clear that Pagasa Island needs a development plan. The House of Representatives will take the lead in coming up with such plan, being the institution responsible for the national budget and national policies that need legislation,” sabi ni Romualdez.

“We toured the island and had lengthy conversations with our brave soldiers and kababayans in the community. This allowed us to get a first-hand account of what’s really happening on ground and what needs to be done by Congress to address local issues,” dagdag pa ng House Speaker.

Ayon kay Ro- mualdez, kabilang sa nakikitang dapat magkaroon at agarang maipagawa ng pamahalaan ay ang ‘storm shelter area’ para sa mga mangingisda at mga sasakyang pandagat na magkakaroon ng problema habang naglalayag; solar powerplant, na pakikinabangan kapwa ng mga sibilyan at military personnel na nasa Pag-asa Island; at ice at cold storage facility para pag-imbakan ng mahahalagang marine products.

Bukod dito, suportado rin ng Visayan lawmaker ang mungkahing mas maisaayos ang airport at magsagawa ng reclamation sa itinuturing na main island ng tinatawag na Kalayaan Island group.

“We’re looking at a budget of at least P3 billion for the airport reclamation extension, which coincides with the naval port and fishing sanctuary (for fishermen),” pahayag pa ni Romualdez.

Aniya, maaaring kunin ang bahagi ng naturang pondo mula sa confidential funds na aalisin sa ilang ‘civilian government agencies’ sa ilalim ng panukalang 2024 national budget.

“A portion of it that initially has been decided to be allocated will be put in. Beyond that mas malaki pa ang iniisip nating pondo para dito,” paliwanag pa niya.

“Definitely, asahan ng buong Pag-asa at Kalayaan Island group that help and support is on the way. We have the leadership of the House of Representatives where the budget emanates.

Baka meron pa tayong maihabol dito sa bicam na ‘yung mga priority na tulong. We are looking at doing some reclamation here to facilitate longer, wider runway and that will also help for the naval port and fishing port area here at the other end of the runway,” dagdag ni Romualdez.

ROMER R. BUTUYAN