Senator Risa Hontiveros is celebrating her 60th birthday soon, and Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) residents are included in her "blowout".

Hontiveros on Saturday, Feb. 21 visited Pag-asa Island, part of the KIG in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), to deliver essential goods and medical services to Filipino civilians and frontliners stationed in the area.

Coordinated with the National Task Force for the WPS—including the National Security Council (NSC), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)—the visit reflects the senator's continued commitment to advancing the welfare of communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Hontiveros said the activity was also part of the celebration for her upcoming 60th birthday on Feb. 24.

Medical services were conducted on-site, including blood tests, urinalysis, ECG procedures, and dental care. Desalination equipment was also turned over to PCG personnel stationed around KIG.

“Ang pagbisita ko ay pagpapakita lamang ng suporta at pakikiisa sa mga kapwa nating Pilipino na nandito sa Kalayaan. Sila at ang munisipalidad nila ay bahagi ng Pilipinas kaya hinding-hindi sila dapat pabayaan,” Hontiveros said.

(My visit is simply a show of support and solidarity with our fellow Filipinos here in Kalayaan. They and their municipality are part of the Philippines, so they must never be neglected.)

She also met with local officials of the Municipality of Kalayaan, led by Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan and Vice Mayor Maurice Albayda. She reaffirmed her support for leaders defending Philippine sovereignty in the WPS.

The senator committed to coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to allocate sufficient livelihood funds for the Municipality of Kalayaan through the agencies’ Sustainable Livelihood Program and Integrated Livelihood Program.

“We found that livelihood infrastructure, such as solar-powered cold storage facilities, for our fisherfolk is much needed.

"Kaya makikipag-ugnayan din po ako sa Department of Agriculture (DA) at mananawagan din sa private sector, lalo na sa kanilang corporate social responsibility initiatives, para mabigyan sila nito. Kailangan nating tulungang buhayin ang ekonomiya at hanapbuhay ng mga kababayan nating nasa Kalayaan. This is our patriotic duty,” Hontiveros said.

(That is why I will also coordinate with the DA and call on the private sector, especially through their corporate social responsibility initiatives, to provide assistance. We need to help revive the economy and livelihood of our countrymen in Kalayaan. This is our patriotic duty.)

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, the senator also pledged to work with the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that adequate health equipment and medical infrastructure are accessible and readily available to the municipality.

Hontiveros emphasized that national defense goes beyond patrols and policy pronouncements, and underscored the need for sustained government presence and concrete support for communities along the country’s maritime frontier.

“Our sovereignty is lived and defended daily by the people stationed here,” she said.

“Government must show up not only in words, but in action — by ensuring that our communities and frontliners have the resources, services, and institutional backing they rightfully deserve,” the lady lawmaker further said.