After an initial assessment by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, the Department of Public Works and Highways is considering potential enhancements on a seaport and airport on the Kalayaan Island Group beginning next year.

In order to determine what infrastructure is required for both inhabitants and military, Dizon stated that he will visit the Kalayaan Island Group next month during the hot season.

According to him, Pag-asa Island’s ports and airfield require upgrades in addition to the construction of roads and water retention facilities. He stated in a DZMM interview, “Kailangan palawakin, pahabain pagandahin.”

In collaboration with Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, school buildings, roads, and other infrastructure would be constructed.

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s suggestion that the Philippines “give up the KIG” because it is beyond the nation’s exclusive economic zone has brought the Kalayaan Island Group national attention. He subsequently claimed that because he was merely discussing mapping, his remarks were misunderstood.

Marcoleta’s statements have drawn criticism from a number of MPs, defense analysts, and specialists in maritime law.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed Dizon to visit the KIG to determine what kind of infrastructure is required in the region, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Wednesday.

Kalayaan, a fifth-class municipality in Palawan, includes the Kalayaan Group of Islands. Seven islands and two reefs that are occupied by the Philippines are among its more than 130 features.

The largest island is Pag-asa; other notable features include Lawak Island, Patag Island, Likas Island, Kota Island, Panata Island, Parola Island, and the Ayungin and Rizal Reefs.

Hundreds of Filipinos live on the Kalayaan Group of Islands, especially on Pag-asa Island.

Beijing recently became enraged with 16 officials of the Kalayaan municipality, which is situated on Pag-asa Island, the largest feature of the KIG, when they designated Chinese Ambassador Jin Quan as persona non grata.

This followed his criticism of government representatives who had stood up for the nation’s sovereignty in the WPS. In response, the Chinese embassy prohibited the 16 Kalayaan officials from entering Macau, Hong Kong, and China.