Deal to allow Navy detachment in Fuga Island signed

November 14, 2019

A memorandum of agreement that would allow the establishment of a Philippine Navy detachment in Fuga Island was signed in a ceremony in Manila on Wednesday.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting public affairs director of the Philippine Navy. said Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) Administrator and CEO Sec. Raul Lambino and Flag Officer In Command, Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad signed the memorandum at the Philippine Navy headquarter in Manila.

Roxas said the signing was witnessed by other key officials from both parties.

In his speech, the Navy chief expressed confidence that through the MOU "the Navy and CEZA can indeed accomplish more as we mutually enhance each other's capacity to perform our respective mandates.”

“The Philippine Navy is very thankful to Sec. Lambino and his team for agreeing to expand the previous memorandum of agreement, and effectively accommodating more possibilities for the navy to enhance its capability in safeguarding our northern frontier and at the same time contribute to the socio-economic development in Northern Luzon,” Empedrad said.

Roxas said Lambino emphasized the importance of PN-CEZA partnership.

"The geographical configuration of our country requires an active Philippine Navy. As a Filipino and as an Ilocano together with Vice Admiral [Empedrad] we are going to make Northern Luzon an area where the Philippine Navy can be most effective in protecting our country and our people," said Lambino.

Roxas said "the memorandum of agreement between the PN and CEZA formalizes the proposed Navy detachment which will be built in the CEZA-managed zone."

"The zone comprises the entire municipality of Sta. Ana and the islands of Fuga, Barit and Mabbag in the municipality of Aparri, province of Cagayan," she said.

"This area has both access to the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea which is vital for the country’s national security," she added.

Roxas said  "the Philippine Navy, through the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, is mandated to conduct naval and maritime operations to secure the Philippine sovereignty and integrity of national territory from foreign and domestic threat with in the Northern waters of the country including the Philippine Rise."

CEZA is tasked for the development of a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, investment and recreational center and Freeport with suitable retirement or residential areas to create employment opportunities in and around the zone, said Roxas. Robina Asido/DMS