New naval base eyed in Misamis Oriental

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has reiterated the government’s thrust of boosting the country’s defense capabilities by establishing a naval base in Misamis Oriental.

Teodoro, who visited the city on Saturday, said the facility to be established in the government’s Phividec Industrial Estate would become the center of Philippine Navy operations in Mindanao.

He added that similar naval installations would be put up in Luzon and the Visayas regions.

“We are very much eager to start the installation of these facilities soonest. We are just awaiting the go-signal from the Office of the President,” Teodoro said.

According to Teodoro, the Phividec facility will serve both as a base for the Philippine Navy and as dockyard for maintenance and other special operations, such as disaster response.

The Department of National Defense, he said, expects the naval base to be in full operation by 2026.

Teodoro said he already had the assurance of Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia in helping the government hasten the establishment of the facility.

He also sought the help of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan in making sure the budgetary requirement is included in the national appropriation.

“Even if we have the facility, without the budget allocation we cannot do otherwise,” Teodoro said.