P166-M naval detachment to rise in Batanes town

Defense Secretary Volatire Gazmin and Rep. Henedina Razon-Abad lead the grounbreaking ceremony for the construction of the P166-million naval detachment in Mahatao, Batanes. PHOTO FROM BFAR BATANES’ FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

A P166.6-million naval detachment will rise in Mahatao town in Batanes after a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said the naval detachment would “include a naval logistics facility, wharf and beaching areas, small craft facility, and communications and electronics facilities, among others.”

The P166.519-million project was included in the 2016 General Appropriations Act budget for the Philippine Navy, which was initiated by Batanes Rep. Henedina Razon-Abad.

“We envision a naval base that shall have accessible naval installations which could provide logistics, training and others support services in the conduct of prompt and sustained fleet and marine operation,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said in his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Aside from the Philippine Navy, the DND said the inter-agency building would also be used by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture.

With the establishment of the naval facility, the Philippine Navy “aims to improve the existing capability and infrastructures of the current Mahatao Boat Shelter to be utilized for training exercises, combat, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations.”

“This place is chosen as the most strategic area as testified by historical facts during World War II. It has also naturally protected and safer harbor spaces for our naval vessels, considering that the province of Batanes has been the frequent route of storms and typhoons, especially during the rainy season,” Gazmin said.

Several Taiwanese and Chinese fishing boats have been arrested in Batanes for poaching in Philippine waters, however, most were able to escape due to the lack of patrol vessels to conduct effective watch off the province. RAM

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