The National Maritime Council–Technical Working Group (NMC-TWG) today reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that Pag-asa Island continues to thrive as a civilian community, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-government approach to safeguarding the country’s interests and delivering essential services to remote communities.
Led by Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns Secretary Andres C. Centino, the NMC-TWG delegation visited the island to assess conditions, consult directly with residents and local officials, and distribute essential medicines from the Department of Health. The mission underscores the administration’s resolve to defend every inch of Philippine territory.
“This activity is significant to personally visit the place, having consultations with the local officials and the residents of the island, and also have a hands-on sense of how we are asserting our presence in this part of the West Philippine Sea,” said Secretary Centino. He added that the visit will provide crucial insight for policy recommendations to maintain a continued Philippine presence in the area.
Office of the Executive Secretary Undersecretary Leandro Roy A. Cervantes highlighted the value of first-hand consultation, stating, “The most important thing is getting the feel on the ground—seeing the actual island, the people, their circumstances. The insights I gained here are invaluable so that I could give inputs to the Executive Secretary and the Council to help draft better, more effective policies.”
Echoing this, NMC Spokesperson Undersecretary Alexander S. Lopez emphasized that Pag-asa Island is a thriving local government unit. “The directive of the President is very clear: even in the farthest places, government must be present, and people must feel the services of the state.”
The visit to Pag-asa Island, a municipality of Palawan province, coincides with the celebration of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), further highlighting the administration’s focus on fostering greater awareness of the Philippines’ maritime heritage and protecting its territorial integrity.
