Malacañang on Wednesday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has instructed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to visit the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) to determine infrastructure needs.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the visit will help identify projects such as ports and airways.
“Sa ngayon po ay nakausap ko mismo si Sec. Vince, at inutusan po talaga sila ng Pangulo na puntahan ang Kalayaan Island Group at tingnan po kung ano ang kinakailangan. At sila po ay magmumungkahi na gumawa doon ng port at ng airway,” Castro said during a briefing on February 18.
Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña earlier proposed a 2027 budget of around ₱462 million for roads, sewerage and waste treatment facilities, evacuation centers, and other infrastructure in Kalayaan.
Castro noted that last year, the Lawak Island shelter port and Pag-asa Island airport received funding, though she did not confirm allocations for 2026.
“Pero ang sabi po sa akin ni Sec. Vince Dizon kanina ay titingnan po nila para po mapatupad kung ano iyong nais ng Pangulo sa KIG,” she added.
The Kalayaan Group of Islands, part of the fifth-class municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan, consists of over 130 features, including seven islands and two reefs occupied by the Philippines.
Key islands include Pag-asa, Lawak, Patag, Likas, Kota, and Panata, along with the Ayungin and Rizal Reefs. Pag-asa Island, the largest, is home to hundreds of Filipinos.