Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 14) — Lawmakers have allocated funds for the building of a structure on Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) under the 2024 national budget, Senator Sonny Angara said Thursday.
“There is funding there so may pupuntahan din ‘yung ating mga barko (our ships have somewhere to go to),” Angara, chairman of the finance committee, told CNN Philippines’ The Source without specifying the exact amount set aside for it.
Senator Francis Escudero told CNN Philippines in August he will propose allocating ₱100 million for the building of a structure on Ayungin Shoal amid China’s continued aggression in the WPS.
Congress ratified this week the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the proposed ₱5.768-trillion budget for 2024. Angara earlier said the joint body committed to increase the budget of the Department of National Defense (DND) following the recent events in the WPS.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he pushed for the addition of ₱10.47 billion to upgrade the country’s defense capabilities and enhance presence in the WPS.
Of the total amount, ₱6.17 billion was added to the budget of the DND for the Philippine Navy, ₱2.8 billion for the Philippine Coast Guard, ₱ 1 billion for the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and ₱500 million for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“It’s not just the West Philippine Sea, it’s really to augment or to improve the state of our armed forces given what’s happening in the world today,” Angara said.
He added that this is also in line with Zubiri’s order to help the armed forces and give them confidence that the country is prepared in case an unfavorable event occurs.
There have been calls for the government to build the country’s own structure on Ayungin Shoal given the current crumbling state of BRP Sierra Madre where Filipino troops are currently stationed.
