AFP bares plan to improve runway at Pag-asa Island

By Ronron
March 28, 2008

An Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) official bared on Friday a plan to improve the runway of Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Group of Islands (KIG) in Palawan province.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog told reporters at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City that the plan would have started last February had the private contractor not backed out.

Cadungog said the project to “harden the surface” of the runway of the Rancudo Airfield, which is worth P31 million, was awarded to a private firm, which he refuses to identify.

“Unfortunately, even before the contractor – who already signed the contract – they can perform the work, they backed out and claim that they cannot do it unless the amount to 100-something-million-pesos. So, that’s unfair to us,” Cadungog said.

Cadungog said the Filipino firm actually paid already a P3.1-million performance bond for the project, but was forfeited because of its backing out.

Because of the setback, Cadungog said the hauling of the materials will have to start only next month from Palawan mainland, courtesy of Philippine Navy ships, “if weather permits.”

He said that the original plan is to complete the project in six months.

Cadungog said the repair will be carried out by soldiers from the Western Command in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and those stationed at Pag-asa Island.

Asked what benefit will this repair give to the AFP, Cadungog said: “We can avoid unsafe landing condition for our C130.”

Pressed if this is strengthening the Philippine’s position in the Spratly’s, he said: “Not necessarily strengthening, but providing our presence.”

The Air Force chief denied that the project is in violation of the existing Code of Conduct among claimant countries, saying that “we are the legitimate claimant.”

“They (other claimant territories) can’t complain about it,” he said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. echoed the same statement.

“It’s just an improvement of facilities and infrastructure that are existing already so we don’t see it as an aggravating factor,” Teodoro told reporters in a separate interview at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City later in the day.

Meanwhile, Cadungog said the Air Force leadership is now thinking of possible penalties to the private firm that backed out from the project, such as blacklisting it in future projects.

Aside from the runway, Cadungog said they also plan to refurbish the billeting barracks of their troops at Pag-asa Island.

Teodoro said these improvements are “essential for those who inhibit the island.”

There are about 30 military elements on the island, coming from the Air Force, Navy and Army.

“Definitely, we will improve their quarters. I was informed that the Air Force billeting there is already dilapidated so I immediately ordered for an estimate of the building materials… This is one thing that I cannot afford to neglect,” Cadungog said.

Barangay Pag-asa is part of the oil-rich and marine life-abundant KIG that is a subject of contention by Philippines, China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. But Kalayaan has since been a municipality of Palawan in1978 when then President Ferdinand Marcos signed Presidential Decree 1956.

The issue on the Spratly’s was revived recently after the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) in the area between the Philippines, Vietnam and China was exposed./DMS