West York Island
Encyclopedia
West York Island or Likas Island , having an area of 18.6 hectares, is the third largest island
of the Spratly Islands
chain in South China Sea
. It is the second largest island among Philippine
-occupied Spratly islands. It is 530 yards (485 m) wide at its widest part; and 330 yards (302 m) in length. It is located 47 miles (76 km) northeast of Pagasa Island (Thitu Island), the town proper of Kalayaan, Palawan. Its highest elevation is 30 metres (98 ft). Several Filipino soldiers are stationed here. This island is also being claimed by China
, Taiwan
and Vietnam
. This island
is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan
. Likas is the Tagalog
rootword of kalikasan which means nature
.
There are no buildings on the island, except for the ruins of houses built by the Japanese soldiers during World War II
, and a small Philippine observation post
, where Filipino soldiers stationed are taking shelter.
, Palawan
. However, because there is no civilian population in this island, it cannot qualify for any political subdivision the Philippines has. Kalayaan, Palawan is the only municipality in the Philippines to have a single barangay
. Barangays are political subdivisions that comprises Philippine municipalities and cities. Kalayaan's lone barangay is Pagasa Island
(Thitu) which has about 300 civilian population.
Because it is the second largest island among Philippine-occupied Spratly islands, Kalayaan municipal officials proposed that this island be populated with civilian settlers within the coming years. If accomplished, Likas will be the second barangay of Kalayaan. However, Likas' land area is only 50% of Pagasa's and only naval vessels are currently capable of reaching the island. An estimate of 300 million pesos
(US$7.5M) will be needed to construct an airstrip, a docking site, some land reclamation
and other structures necessary to support an isolated community.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of the Spratly Islands
Spratly Islands
The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia , about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land...
chain in South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
. It is the second largest island among Philippine
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
-occupied Spratly islands. It is 530 yards (485 m) wide at its widest part; and 330 yards (302 m) in length. It is located 47 miles (76 km) northeast of Pagasa Island (Thitu Island), the town proper of Kalayaan, Palawan. Its highest elevation is 30 metres (98 ft). Several Filipino soldiers are stationed here. This island is also being claimed by China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, Taiwan
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
and Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. This island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
is administered by the Philippines as part of Kalayaan, Palawan
Kalayaan, Palawan
Kalayaan is a 6th class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 114 people in 12 households....
. Likas is the Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
rootword of kalikasan which means nature
Nature
Nature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical world, or material world. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general...
.
Structures and environment
West York Island is covered with low vegetation and scrub. Outcrops are visible on the southern and eastern portion of the island during low tides. This island is considered a sanctuary for giant sea turtles that lay their eggs on the island all year round. The high salinity of the ground water in the island retards the growth of introduced trees like coconuts, ipil-ipil, and other types. Only those endemic to the area that are mostly beach type of plants thrive and survive the hot and humid condition especially during the dry season.There are no buildings on the island, except for the ruins of houses built by the Japanese soldiers during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and a small Philippine observation post
Observation post
An observation post, temporary or fixed, is a position from which soldiers can watch enemy movements, to warn of approaching soldiers , or to direct artillery fire...
, where Filipino soldiers stationed are taking shelter.
Plans
West York Island (Likas) belongs to the Municipality of KalayaanKalayaan, Palawan
Kalayaan is a 6th class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 114 people in 12 households....
, Palawan
Palawan
Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...
. However, because there is no civilian population in this island, it cannot qualify for any political subdivision the Philippines has. Kalayaan, Palawan is the only municipality in the Philippines to have a single barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
. Barangays are political subdivisions that comprises Philippine municipalities and cities. Kalayaan's lone barangay is Pagasa Island
Thitu Island
Thitu Island , having an area of 37.2 hectares is the second largest Spratly Island and the largest of all Philippine-occupied Spratly Islands. It lies about west of Puerto Princesa City...
(Thitu) which has about 300 civilian population.
Because it is the second largest island among Philippine-occupied Spratly islands, Kalayaan municipal officials proposed that this island be populated with civilian settlers within the coming years. If accomplished, Likas will be the second barangay of Kalayaan. However, Likas' land area is only 50% of Pagasa's and only naval vessels are currently capable of reaching the island. An estimate of 300 million pesos
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
(US$7.5M) will be needed to construct an airstrip, a docking site, some land reclamation
Land reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
and other structures necessary to support an isolated community.
See also
- Spratly IslandsSpratly IslandsThe Spratly Islands are a group of more than 750 reefs, islets, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of the Philippines and Malaysia , about one third of the way from there to southern Vietnam. They comprise less than four square kilometers of land...
- Kalayaan, PalawanKalayaan, PalawanKalayaan is a 6th class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 114 people in 12 households....
- Policies, activities and history of the Philippines in Spratly IslandsPolicies, activities and history of the Philippines in Spratly Islands-Overview:The Philippines, along with Vietnam, People's Republic of China, Republic of China , Malaysia and Brunei, is a claimant country in the disputed Spratly Islands group. Currently the Philippines is occupying nine features :As a comparison, Vietnam occupies six islands, seventeen reefs and...