EIGHT YEARS after the Permanent Court of Arbitration affirmed the Philippines’ claim over the West Philippine Sea, a greater conflict persists within the waters. Caught between the rising maritime tensions are the people of Pag-asa Island—situated 300 miles west of the Palawan mainland.
Serving as the seat of the municipality of Kalayaan, the Kalayaan archipelago was first discovered by Filipino adventurer and fishing tycoon Tomas Cloma.
In 1956, Cloma pushed for the establishment of an official and autonomous government of the land, provoking contention from neighboring countries that already claimed territorial stakes over the archipelago. In 1978, then-president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. annexed Cloma’s territories as an official municipality under the province of Palawan.
Currently, despite the Philippines’ formal presence over the islands and the eventual recognition of its borders by international bodies, China persists in asserting its own territorial claims. This conflict has led to violent encounters between Filipino and Chinese vessels and the gradual militarization of the West Philippine Sea.
Amid these escalations are approximately 400 residents of Kalayaan, who endure the threats and harassment by Chinese militia vessels. The Philippine government has responded to the civilian plight with economic and defense assistance.
Aside from its importance in territorial discussions, the Pag-asa Island also serves as a lifeline for its residents’ livelihood and survival, as it is home to an ecosystem of marine habitats and fish resources. With Kalayaan’s rich natural capital and government-subsidized living, sources of livelihood and income in the area include employment in the Local Government Unit, construction jobs, fishing, and local trade.
Despite the government’s defense efforts and Pag-asa’s ecological affluence, structural barriers still impede the development of living conditions in the municipality. In 2021, the island’s educational sector had to rely on donated infrastructure as communities recovered from Typhoon Odette.
Along with the shortage of other basic infrastructure, such as birthing centers and transportation, further environmental disruptions to Kalayaan’s education sector increase the community’s call for further government subsidies, having received no hazard pay and merely adequate school facilities.
As such, the local government cites the need for improvements in disaster risk reduction and management—as well as communication facilities—to further strengthen the island’s response and resilience to emergencies. The national government has also funded more infrastructural projects, which include housing facilities for military residents and a rural health center for improved citizen healthcare.
In the face of adversity, the people of Kalayaan not only fight for their livelihoods but also serve as the face of Philippine sovereignty in the troubled territory. Amid a battleground of militarization and international dispute, they remain a force of hope and resistance as they forge homes in the country’s farthest edges.
