Manila: The United States Navy is set to build a new boat maintenance facility to help repair Philippine military vessels at the Naval Detachment Oyster Base in Ulugan Bay, Palawan, the US Embassy in Manila announced Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a press statement, acting Embassy spokesperson Glenda Wallace said the US Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command has formally issued a public solicitation for the design and construction of the project on July 7. Wallace emphasized that the boat maintenance facility is not a military base and that the project is approved by the government of the Philippines in accordance with all applicable US and Philippine local rules and regulations.

Wallace detailed that the facility would provide repair and maintenance capabilities for several small Philippine military watercraft and will include two multi-purpose interior rooms suitable for equipment storage or conference use.

In announcing the project, the official reiterated that all US military activities in the Philippines are 'done in full coordination with our Philippine allies.' She highlighted that the US Philippine alliance, with its roots in the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, remains a cornerstone of peace and security, promoting a common vision for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific.