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| Photo credit: interaksyon |
For
over two years, the project was delayed because of hitches and now China is
using the repair plans for its reclamation benefits. Air Force chief Lieutenant
General Jeffrey Delgado told reporters on June 18, that Philippines was not
able to repair the runaway because there were hitches and lack of funding
during the previous years. But now the administration has enough budget to
repair the said project.
Last
year, the Department of National Defense allocated P480 million to upgrade Navy and Air Force
facilities in the island also claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr said that
construction has not yet begun though. Yet a winning bidder was acknowledged
for the first stage of the
project. This covers searching activities to provide ships an approach to the
island so construction material can be delivered. After that, the repair of the
runway will be the next.
Major
General Edgar Fallorina, PAF chief of air staff said that the second part of
the project will be the runway while
they are content with the navy project
to be their priority. He expects it to be completely finished this year.
China
mentioned the repair plans in Pag-Asa in its recent statement rejecting the
call of the Philippines to stop its reclamation activities in the West
Philippines Sea.
Chinese
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying has given a statement on Monday, June 16:
"The Philippine side, on the one hand, intentionally takes provoking actions
while, on the other hand, makes irresponsible remarks on China's legitimate
actions which are within China's sovereignty. That is unjustifiable.
Apart from the runway, the Philippines is keeping
a town hall, a military outpost, a health center, and a school on the island.
