The Philippine Navy (PN) disclosed Sunday, Jan. 16, that it will build naval facilities in Dinagat Islands to ensure easy access to the island province which could be crucial especially in times of calamities and disasters.
Commander Benjo Negranza, PN spokesperson, said the Deed of Usufruct was signed by Commodore Carlos Sabarre, commander of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), and Dinagat Islands Governor Arlene Bag-ao last Friday for the establishment of naval facilities within the provincial government center of Dinagat Islands.
Negranza said the Deed of Usufruct will be endorsed for approval by the Secretary of National Defense.
He described it as a “pioneer accord” between the Navy and the Dinagat Islands.
Meanwhile, Governor Bag-ao thanked the Navy for being the "first to recognize the value of Dinagat” through expressed interest in building naval facilities there.
“As we all know, the province of Dinagat is currently on its road to recovery, 98 percent were ravaged by Typhoon Odette. This will be the first agreement between the Navy and Dinagat, and it’s like a christening. I’m very excited because finally, Dinagat is slowly regaining presence in the world," added Bag-ao.
Dinagat Islands is one of the hardest hit provinces when typhoon “Odette” hit the country last month.
To deliver relief goods for the affected residents, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had to use ships and planes since it could not be accessed via land travel.
But with the recent agreement, Negranza hopes that the province will be more connected to the government so that the delivery of services and goods will also be easier.