Aaron-Matthew Lariosa – May 20, 2026 3:04 PM
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) dispatched a total of 15 cutters and offshore vessels Oct. 7, 2025, to resupply and escort fishermen operating in the vicinity of the Scarborough and Sabina shoals as part of the country’s Kadiwa Initiative, which aims to bolster Filipino fishery output in the disputed waters amid Chinese harassment and supply constraints. Philippine Coast Guard graphic
Washington is seeking funding to construct a Coast Guard maintenance center and refurbish a joint airfield fuel depot that could bolster Philippine security infrastructure near the South China Sea, according to recent documents.
The Pentagon released notices within the last month for upcoming projects at key facilities in Palawan used by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces in the Philippines. These efforts mark the latest in American support for Philippine forces on the island province bordering territorial dispute hotspots in the South China Sea. Manila uses ports and airfields on Palawan to stage forces that are frequently in contact with Chinese forces around the Spratly Islands. Manila and Beijing have frequently clashed in a hybrid conflict around contested maritime features since 2022.
One of Washington’s new initiatives aims to fund an intermediate logistics maintenance center at Buliluyan Port, which is frequented by PCG cutters ahead of patrol and resupply missions in the South China Sea. Manila’s maritime security agency currently has to stretch its limited fleet of 13 ocean-capable cutters across the Southeast Asian nation’s massive exclusive economic zone. The PCG also lacks organic maintenance facilities in Palawan, forcing cutters and other equipment to sail further into the Philippines for repairs and refits.
A forward-based maintenance facility can enable more sustainable and frequent PCG operations in the South China Sea, a capability that may improve Manila’s posture against China’s large force of forward-deployed warships and cutters attempting to impose Beijing’s claims.
This project follows last summer’s U.S. funding of Philippine Navy and Marine Corps small boat ports on the Western Coast of Palawan. Manila relies on sites to quickly deploy forces to resupply and support its nine possessions in the disputed area. There is also a potential support capability for unmanned surface vessels to be provided to the Philippines with American assistance, according to the documents reviewed by USNI News.
Washington has also worked to bolster PCG infrastructure and sustainment capabilities via previous initiatives, primarily focusing on training activities and logistical infrastructure.
Another project aims to refurbish the fueling facilities at Antonio Bautista Air Base. The Philippine Air Force base is used to stage maritime patrols and military exercises in Palawan and its surrounding waters. The base is also one of nine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites, a group of Philippine bases and locations that American forces are allowed to access through a 2014 deal.
As the primary Palawan air base, Antonio Bautista has received numerous upgrades from Washington and Manila within the last decade amid tensions in the South China Sea. These projects include command and control facilities to enhance U.S.-Philippine cooperation during exercises or a contingency.
Aaron-Matthew Lariosa
Aaron-Matthew Lariosa is a freelance defense journalist. His coverage focuses on Philippine defense modernization, the South China Sea and U.S. efforts in the first island chain.
Follow @Aaron_MatthewIL