Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, Navy chief, told reporters Sunday that the anniversary rites will be held at Naval Station Carlito Cunanan, headquarters of Naval Forces West, on Tuesday to highlight improvements to the base, which, he said has strategic importance.
He said developing the naval station will help sailors there perform their jobs – which includes securing the West Philippine Sea – better.
“Yung ating morale of the men is one big concern for me, which will redound to the better accomplishment of their mission,” he said.
Colonel Edgard Arevalo, chief of the Navy’s Civil Military Operations Group, said the celebration of the Navy’s anniversary is usually held in either Manila or Cavite.
“Gusto nating ipakita sa ating personnel na binibigyan natin sila ng due attention,” he said of the decision to do it in Palawan this year.
President Benigno Aquino III is expected to attend the ceremony, which, Arevalo said, will give the president the opportunity to meet the Navy’s frontline sailors.
“Well, of course, other than…the boost it will bring to the morale of our personnel, [having] our commander-in-chief, no less, visiting them, ito rin ang opportnity for our commander-in-chief…to be able to see kung ano ang mga developments na meron tayo sa bagong nilipatang headquarters ng Naval Forces West (NavForWest),” he said.
Strategic importance
Arevalo said Naval Station Carlito Cunanan has strategic importance because its location makes it easier for ships to reach far-flung areas in the West Philippine Sea.
“Kung manggagaling doon ang barko natin pappuntang Pagasa Island yung ating logistics support vessel, we will be able to save around 20,000 liters of diesel. Buhat maiiksihan ang travel time natin by around 32 hours, so, dun pa lang sa punto de bista na yun, kitang-kita na natin ang advantage,” he said.
He said the old headquarters of NavForWest is on the eastern side of Palawan, which meant ships headed to the West Philippine Sea had to sail around Palawan island first. — JDS, GMA News
