Press Release - Robin Seeks Private Sector's Cooperation for Port Access for Navy Vessels

To help the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Philippine Navy, do their job of defending the nation, Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla on Tuesday called on the private sector to allow better port access for Navy vessels.

In his privilege speech, Padilla lamented Navy vessels need to wait four to 48 hours before being given access to ports, while it is up to the private sector to determine how long they can stay.

"Hindi naman po lingid sa ating kaalaman ang tumitinding sitwasyon sa sa West Philippine Sea, bunsod ng mga agresibong aksyon ng kabilang panig. Nararapat lamang na magkaroon tayo ng mga hakbangin sa paghahanda sa anumang senaryo na maaaring maganap sa ating bayan (We all know that with rising tension in the West Philippine Sea due to aggressive actions from the other side, we must take steps to ensure our preparedness to defend ourselves)," he said.

"Kung kaya po ng ibang nasyon na tulungan ang ating bansa, tulad na lamang ng nagaganap na Balikatan Exercises ng ating hukbo, kasama ang mga sundalo ng America, nararapat lamang siguro po, Ginoong Pangulo, na asahan din natin ang suporta at tulong ng mga pribadong sektor nating mga kababayan (If other nations can help us like the United States, then it is proper that we get support from our own private sector)," he added.

Padilla noted that due to the lack of port access, Navy vessels face wear and tear, and delays in their maintenance as well as refueling and reprovisioning.

"Ginoong Pangulo, ang inyo pong lingkod ay kumakatok sa puso ng ating private sector na nawa'y maging mas maluwag kayo sa pag-accommodate sa ating hukbo. Simple lamang po ang ating panawagan - ang mabigyan naman po ng access ang Philippine Navy vessels sa ating mga ports sa ilalim ng Philippine Ports Authority (Mr. President, I am asking our private sector to be more accommodating to our Navy vessels. My request is simple - to give Navy vessels access to our ports under the Philippine Ports Authority)," he said.

He also called for more convergence projects between the PPA and Navy via their mother agencies - the Department of Transportation at Department of National Defense (DND).

"My goodness naman Mahal na Ginoong