MANILA, Philippines — The mayor of the disputed Kalayaan Island in the China-claimed part of the West Philippine Sea off Palawan province lamented national government's lack of support for the municipality's development.
Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon also said that the Aquino administration seems to be focused on beefing up the country's defense capabilities while forgetting to secure and improve contested maritime areas already controlled by the Philippines.
"We have to start with a plan, kasi kahit plan wala pa e. Tulad ng relevant infrastructure, like shelter and harbor, or ports or jetty ports in every island wala tayo," Bito-onon said in an interview with Bombo Radyo on Wednesday.
"[We should have] relevant studies to be able to plan for [the] long term, socio-economic development," he added.
Kalayaan Island has 150 residents who have insisted to stay in the contested area despite the growing Chinese naval presence in the waters.
Bito-onon urged government to avoid moves that will worsen the country's sour ties with the neighboring Asian giant as Filipinos in the island will be the most affected.
"China doesn't care about world opinion. Tuloy, kahit na may arbitration [case] tayo, they don't care," he said. - Camille Diola