Marcos set to sign proclamation for naval base in Subic Bay area

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign a proclamation making a part of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as a defense naval base.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa disclosed the matter at the Senate’s Thursday plenary debates on the Department of National Defense’s (DND) proposed funding, saying he was informed about it by Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. himself.

“’Yung plano ng DND pala mas maganda (The DND’s plan actually turned out better). They are awaiting the signature of the President for that presidential proclamation making a portion of SBMA as their naval base,” said dela Rosa.

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For his part, Sen. JV Ejercito pointed out that the country spends P1 billion yearly to rent Hyundai’s ship-building facility where new Philippine Navy ships are presently docked.

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Ejercito said he welcomes the DND’s pronouncement, adding that the armed forces or the DND itself could improve the facilities further with the extra savings left.

“So at least ‘yun atin pong mga bagong frigates mabibigyan na ng (So at least our new frigates will be given) necessary support so that they can function better,” said Ejercito.

“Again, with the situation right now in the West Philippine Sea, for our improvement of our external defense — it will be a good idea to have a joint base with the airforce there,” he emphasized.