00:00Two new infrastructures will be built in Pag-asa Island
00:04that will strengthen the country's position in the West Philippine Sea.
00:08The groundbreaking was led by some officials who were not saved
00:13by China's radio challenge.
00:15And Ma'am Gonzales was there.
00:21On the way to Pag-asa Island,
00:23China's radio challenges welcomed a group of senators
00:27along with the Defense Secretary and the Mayor of Kalayaan Group of Islands.
00:30The Subi Reef was so close that they occupied it
00:33and gave it naval facilities for fighting.
00:38So it's alarming.
00:40When we landed earlier, there were verbal challenges.
00:43And it's so sad that we're inside our country.
00:47This is the territory of the Philippines.
00:48And they're telling you to leave because this is the territory of China.
00:53It's really shocking.
00:54It's alarming and angry.
00:56When they arrived on the island, the officials had a security briefing
01:00and the new navy barracks were ground-breaking.
01:02Only 3 kilometers from here,
01:04more than 20 ships of the China Coast Guard and Chinese militia vessels were sighted.
01:09It took more than an hour.
01:11But if it's a different kind, it's faster.
01:17But they'll bleed if they try.
01:20I think they're safe
01:21because no right-thinking nation will attack civilians.
01:25It's a normal life for the people of Pag-asa Island.
01:28This is where Marian's parents live.
01:30And now that she has a husband and a son,
01:32she chose to live here.
01:34She has a story about the Chinese.
01:36Before, there were more Chinese than now.
01:39Oh, really?
01:39Yes.
01:41Before, there were a lot of Chinese around the island.
01:45Before, I was the same.
01:47When I first arrived, I changed.
01:49But it's been a long time.
01:51It's normal now.
01:54But why did you decide to stay here?
01:57I didn't want to.
01:59But it's nice here.
02:00There's no cost.
02:02It's far from the city.
02:04It's far from the noise, like Manila.
02:07There are a lot of problems.
02:08It's not like here.
02:09There's a lot of food.
02:11For them, that's why the services here are being organized
02:14along with strengthening the military facilities
02:17that are ground-breaking for the Super Rural Health Unit or RHU.
02:21For now, their health center doesn't have a lab yet.
02:25As for their children,
02:26they are being taken to the mainland before the third trimester.
02:29The nearest health facility here in Pag-asa Island is 200 nautical miles away.
02:34That's why it's really hard when there's an emergency.
02:37Either they'll do an air evacuation using the airplanes of the AFP,
02:40but that's just a sample.
02:41Or maybe it's a sea vessel.
02:43But it will only last for a few days and it's also very expensive.
02:46That's why it's a big help for the residents of Pag-asa
02:48once the Super Rural Health Unit is built.
02:51The Senate promised to add more projects in Pag-asa Island
02:55that have a big role in food security, especially in the supply of seafood.
02:59That's why this is Pag-asa Island.
03:01Because of the growing population of Filipinos,
03:05the future generations of Filipinos need the resources here in the West Philippine Sea.
03:12Pag-asa of the Philippines is the West Philippine Sea.
03:15From here in Pag-asa Island,
03:17for GMI Integrated News, Mav Gonzalez reporting for 24 Horas.
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