THE Philippines has started the construction of lighthouses on its claimed features in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Wednesday, May 30.

Esperon said building the lighthouses is part of the government's bid to upgrade the Philippine-owned islands in the resource-rich waters.

The lighthouses would also ensure safe navigation of the vessels in the South China Sea, one of the world's busiest waterways.

"Lighthouses are also now being constructed on features held by the Philippines to ensure safety of navigation, along with our responsibility under the UNCLOS to provide navigational safety for all international vessels transiting the West Philippine Sea," Esperon said in a statement.

Esperon also noted that the government is now upgrading its military facilities on Pagasa (Thitu) Island, the largest of nine features the Philippines occupies in the contested waters.

He said the repair was meant to address the needs of the Filipinos residing in the island.

"The government is presently upgrading port and airstrip facilities in Pag-asa Island, in line with efforts to promote the welfare of Filipinos living in the said island," he said.

"This is necessary for trade, the preservation of the livelihood of the fisherfolk, and the timely delivery of basic necessities of the community in the Municipality of Pag-asa," Esperon added.

The Philippines' latest move came amid reports that China has stepped up militarization in the South China Sea by deploying missile systems and landing strategic bombers in Beijing's artificial islands.

China's relentless efforts to gain control of the contested territories in the South China Sea was an apparent disregard of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 historic ruling, favoring the Philippines in its maritime dispute against Beijing.

Esperon said the Philippine government acknowledged China's continuing military build-up in the South China Sea with "serious concern."

"We note with serious concern the growing militarization in the area, such as the deployment of military assets especially on features near the Philippine territory," he said.

"In response to these actions, the Philippine Government has not been remiss in undertaking diplomatic actions against any nation. In particular, the Department of Foreign Affairs had been raising such issues and concerns at the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between China and the Philippines," he added.

Esperon also assured that the Duterte administration was not abandoning the Philippines' legal victory against China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, although it refused to assert the arbitration court's decision.

He said the government was merely looking for a "proper time" to take "full advantage" of the arbitral ruling.

"This administration does not and will not abandon the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the South China Sea disputes. This is merely set aside in the meantime, in line with the efforts of government at promoting peace, stability, and cordial relations among claimant countries in the region," he said.

"At the proper time, we will take full advantage of the tribunal ruling, even as China refuses to recognize this, to serve as basis for the country’s exercise of sovereignty and jurisdiction over features that are in the Philippine territorial water," he added. (SunStar Philippines)