A BUDGET of P300 million was proposed to build a new sheltered port on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.

The proposal is contained in the National Expenditure Program for 2025.

"The P300 million for the Pag-asa Island Sheltered Port Project is itemized in the DoTr's Maritime Infrastructure Program in the 2025 national budget," Makati City 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos Jr., vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said in a statement on Sunday, referring to the Department of Transportation.

"The P300 million will bring to P2.6 billion the cumulative funding for new infrastructure projects in the Kalayaan Island Group," Campos said.

He said that after Speaker Martin Romualdez visited Pag-asa Island last October, "Congress has earmarked P1.5 billion to further extend Pag-asa's 1.3-kilometer runway to accommodate bigger aircraft, plus P800 million for a sheltered port on smaller Lawak Island, both in the 2024 General Appropriations Law."

Pag-asa and Lawak are among the seven islands that comprise the Kalayaan group. The others are the islands of Likas, Parola, Kota, Patag and Panata.

Also in the Kalayaan are Ayungin Shoal, Balagtas Reef and Rizal Reef.

Pag-asa Island is the site of Kalayaan town which was created through Presidential Decree 1596 issued in 1978 during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

The House Committee on Appropriations is conducting budget deliberations for the 2025 General Appropriations Bill.