Congress allots P3 billion more for Kalayaan infrastructure

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and the House of Representatives have earmarked an additional P3 billion this year to bolster the infrastructure buildup in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the northeastern section of the disputed Spratly archipelago.

“Congress has earmarked an additional P1.65 billion to develop the Pag-asa Island airport, plus P300 million for the (Pag-asa) shelter port,” Rep. Johnny Pimentel of the second district of Surigao del Sur said.

“We have also allocated an extra P1.08 billion to construct the second phase of the Lawak Island shelter port,” Pimentel added.

Lawak, with a land area of 7.93 hectares, is the fourth-largest island in the KIG and lies 169 kilometers east of Pag-asa.

According to Pimentel, the three projects are fully itemized in the 2025 General Appropriations Law.

“The P3 billion in new appropriations is in addition to the combined P2.3 billion allocated by Congress for the Pag-asa airport and the Lawak shelter port in 2024,” he said.