LACSON WANTS BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS IN PAG-ASA ISLAND

 Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson promises livelihood assistance, improved housing, and better education for the people of Pag-asa Island.

- The presidential bet and standard bearer of Partido Reporma visited Pag-asa Island over the weekend and lamented the poor living conditions of its 193 residents, whom he called “more patriotic than most people.”

- Lacson shared that there is only one elementary school on the island and 2 teachers teaching multiple grades. And while the inhabitants live in decent houses, he said that these are not enough for the people who chose to stand their ground on an island closely-watched by the Chinese Coast Guard. 

- Lacson, who chairs the Senate Defense Committee, guaranteed to take up these issues in the ongoing budget deliberations.

- For one, he said that he will propose a 54-unit housing project worth 1 million per house. 

- He will also call for more attention to their education, saying that it is limited to only up to 6th grade on the island.

- On top of these, Lacson said that the government should provide more funding for livelihood assistance, saying that most residents only earn their living from fishing, which has been limited because of China’s “bullying.” 

- The senator said that all these projects will help populate Pag-asa island, and hopefully other nearby islands as well, to show the Philippines’ possession of these disputed waters. 

- Despite the recent tension in the nearby Ayungin Shoal, Lacson expressed hope for the future of the West Philippine Sea. “Hope for Pagasa in Kalayaan. Hope for lasting peace and tranquillity in the WPS area, and freedom of navigation for all nations to enjoy,” he said.