Kalayaan: Several government officials on Thursday visited the Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan, Palawan, to celebrate the Day of Valor and to officially activate the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). The visit was led by Senator Erwin Tulfo, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, and PCG Spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a statement, Tarriela said the activation of the PCG District KIG has the full support and approval of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in line with his commitment that 'not an inch of our territory shall be surrendered.' The activation aims to upgrade the existing PCG unit in KIG into a major district, to be led by a senior PCG officer with the rank of Commodore.
The PCG District KIG will also be used to deploy dedicated and operationally controlled assets such as vessels and aircraft. 'The utilization of these assets is not limited to maritime security roles; the district will perform the full spectrum of PCG functions, encompassing maritime safety like search and rescue, and maritime environmental protection,' he said.
Aside from additional assets, the PCG District KIG will have infrastructure developments such as upgrades and construction of additional buildings on other occupied maritime features within the municipality. 'The district will likewise receive enhanced logistical support and increased operational funding to carry out more significant operations across its area of responsibility,' he said.
With the KIG unit now a major PCG command, the PCG will also deploy officers and non-commissioned personnel from various technical services to support the national government in delivering essential services to the residents of Kalayaan. 'The Commandant envisions these PCG personnel assisting the Department of Education (DepEd) to address the shortage of teachers, supporting the Department of Health (DOH) by providing medical doctors, nurses, and dentists, and even offering chaplains to meet the community's spiritual and religious needs,' he said.
These efforts in Kalayaan are part of the PCG's Intensified Community Assistance, Awareness, Response, and Engagement (ICARE) program. 'This milestone strengthens not only maritime governance but also the Philippine Coast Guard's commitment to holistic service and nation-building in the Kalayaan Island Group,' he said.
Kalayaan is a municipality under the province of Palawan and is part of the KIG, which includes parts of the Spratly Islands and the Pag-asa Island, the administrative center of the KIG. The Day of Valor, or Araw ng Kagitingan, is an annual national holiday that commemorates the fall of Bataan and the Battle of Corregidor against Japanese invaders during World War II.
