Mayor Beltzasar Alindogan of Kalayaan has voiced his disagreement with recent statements made by a senator concerning the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), while urging lawmakers and government agencies to focus on developing the municipality and supporting its residents.
Speaking on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Mayor Alindogan emphasized that political debates should not overshadow the realities and needs of the people living on Pag-asa Island, the only inhabited barangay in Kalayaan, Palawan.
“Ang importansya po ay magkakaisa, bagamat personally hindi ako sang-ayon sa pananaw ni kagalang-galang Senator Marcoleta,” he said.
Pag-asa Island is home to more than 400 residents, including children attending Grade 1 to Grade 12.
The settlement has been in place since 2002, and the local school opened in 2015. Its population is a mix of people from Palawan and other provinces, as well as families of former military personnel stationed on the island.
The 38-hectare island features white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and potential eco-tourism opportunities.
Transportation is limited to walking, bicycles, and motorcycles, while the island is served by electricity, internet connectivity—including Smart and Starlink—and an airstrip capable of handling C-130 aircraft. Residents engage mainly in fishing, small-scale retail, and local government work.
According to Mayor Alindoga, Kalayaan’s annual budget currently stands at approximately P168 million, up from P40 million in 2008, with projects underway for infrastructure, ports, and public facilities.
The mayor encouraged lawmakers to visit Pag-asa to witness the community firsthand, saying,
“Ang ilan nating mga senador ay nakarating na po doon. Baka naman maunawaan niya at magkaroon siya ng grasp talaga sa totoong actual na kalagayan ng ating mga mamamayan doon sa Pag-asa.”
Mayor Alindogan also reiterated that Kalayaan is part of Philippine territory under international law, but stressed that local development and the welfare of its residents must remain the government’s priority.
“Kung mayroon mang pong mga pag-uusap tungkol dito ay siguro medyo i-control natin ang temperament natin at i-focus ang ating energy kung paano natin ma-develop particularly ang bayan ng Kalayaan, na hindi lang Pag-asa ang ating kailangang pokusan.”
Residents receive government support, including rice subsidies and medical services coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard and provincial authorities.
