Tulfo vows essential, recreational facilities on Pag-asa island

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Erwin Tulfo promised on Thursday the development of essential and recreational facilities on Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group to improve the welfare of its residents.

Tulfo made the remark during his visit to Pag-asa Island’s Day of Valor event.

“On this Day of Valor, we are not only celebrating the bravery of heroes and patriots. We are also strengthening our advocacy to provide you with adequate support,” the senator said in his speech.

READ: PCG activates new district command in Kalayaan Island Group

He then enumerated the developments planned for 2026 and 2027.

“We will fix your municipal hall, include it in the 2027 General Appropriations Act, we will have your municipal hall built,” he began, stating he observed structural wear in the building.

Additionally, Tulfo promised the completion of a medical facility, including supplies.

He continued: “I will talk to the DOH (Department of Health) to ensure that your barangay health center has medicines for children, so we have maintenance for our countrymen.”

Furthermore, the senator said he would request from the DOH a monthly medical mission for the island.

For transportation outside the island, instead of riding with the Philippine Coast Guard, Tulfo stated that free monthly lantsa (an open motorboat) rides would be made available to the residents.

“Every month there is a ferry from Palawan, from Quezon, that comes here. It’s free… It’s once a month. So if you want to go to town, take a walk, that’s it, you’ll be there for a month, then you’ll come back,” Tulfo explained.

READ: Atin Ito prepares for 4th civilian mission to Pag-asa Island 

In the same breath, the senator promised the development of a Moral Welfare Recreation Area within the year.

“This is a building that will be used by our soldiers, as well as our civilian population, with a swimming pool, a billiards room, darts, karaoke… a mini theater so that in the afternoon the children can go for a walk, play. So we will build that this year,” he told the crowd.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will also visit the island to provide P15,000 per family as part of its Sustainable Livelihood Program, the senator said, quoting DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

Tulfo then lauded the efforts of uniformed officers in the island amid territorial disputes with China.

“In our national anthem, there is a line, ‘Ne’er shall invaders trample thy sacred shore…’ You don’t just say it, you prove it every day that you will not be oppressed. I salute you,” he said.

READ: Philippine senator calls out China in visit to disputed island

He later highlighted, in an interview, the difficult job of the troops in the area, saying “These personnel here, these troops, for a few months, this is a hardship tour… Maybe if these soldiers weren’t here, these people weren’t here, maybe this Pag-Asa would be China too.”

Pag-Asa Island is home to less than 500 Filipinos, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Roughly 270 nautical miles west of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, it is within China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea that have been dismissed in the 2016 arbitral ruling. /das