INTRODUCTION.  In 1992, the naval facilities in the provinces of Cebu and Guimaras were built by the Philippine Navy through the vision and effort of a senior naval officer, Rear Admiral Edgardo B Gallos AFP (Ret), whose heart and mind had dedicated his life and honor in the service of the Philippine Navy. As a young senior Naval Captain and Commander of the Naval Facilities in Central Philippines from 1992 to 1999, he exerted all effort to pursue a goal until it came to reality: the establishment of naval facilities in Central Philippines. He was a disciplinarian who upheld honor and integrity. He was a mentor in the time honored naval tradition, and was highly respected.

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATIONS

1. Presidential Proclamation No. 909, Reserving for Military Purpose a Parcel of Land of the Public Domain situated in the Barangay of Looc Canjulao, City of Lapu-Lapu, Island of Mactan, in the province of Cebu with a total area of 656,690 square meters (65.66 hectares) signed by President Corazon Cojuanco Aquino on 28-May-1992.
2. Presidential Proclamation No. 125, Reserving for Military Purposes a Parcel of Land of the Public Domain located in Barangay Looc and Babag, City of Lapu-Lapu, Island of Mactan, in the Province of Cebu with a total area of 785,378 square meters (75.53 hectares) promoted by RAdm Napoleon Baylon and signed by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on 28-June-1999.
3. Presidential Proclamation No. 72, Reserving for Military Purposes a certain Parcel of Land of the Public domain situated in the Barangays of Sawang and Saldivar, Municipality of Buenavista, Province of Guimaras, with a total area of 42,770 square meters (42.77 hectares) promoted by CDR Warlito Garonita and signed by President Fidel Valdez Ramos on 14-October-1992.

INITIAL GROUND DEVELOPMENT. The following Flag Officers in Command of the Philippine Navy from 1992 to 2004 onwards, pursued development projects with immediacy such as perimeter fences, road networks, water and sewerage systems, piers, causeways, dredging works, gymnasiums, chapels, barracks, complex electrical and communication systems, to mention a few. These activities were pursued from the incumbency of VIRGILIO MERCELO AFP, and continued under VAdm PIO CARRANZA AFP, VAdm LUISITO FERNANDEZ AFP, VAdm EDUARDO MA R SANTOS AFP, VAdm VICTORIANO HINGCO AFP, VAdm ERNESO DE LEON AFP, and so on.

The Philippine Navy SEABEES under RAdm MARGARITO SANCHEZ AFP undertook the vigorous development groundwork and waterfront dredging.

The aforesaid Presidential Proclamations are tangible evidence of real estate allocated for the Philippine Navy firmly established by the Government and implemented through the efforts and perseverance of then CAPT EDGARDO B GALLOS PN (GSC) and his dedicated Naval Officers: LCDR NARCISO Z SUMILHIG PN, LCDR MAXIMO ARCALLANO PN, and CAPT PEPITO SELLO (JAG). Without those Presidential Proclamations, there would be no legal basis to develop the area.

RECOMMENDATIONS. The young generation in the current Philippine Navy Leadership must look back and get to know the officers who toiled with brain and brawn to establish the foundations of Strategic Naval Facilities of the Philippine Navy. The Philippine Navy’s humble beginnings were built by naval officers who made these projects a realization for the people of Central Philippines. The dedication of these naval pioneers are worthy of emulation by our new naval officers and men who are tasked to modernize the Philippine Navy and work towards providing security to our country during unstable times.