disposal system, shelters and storage facilities for civilian fishermen. By May 2020, the beaching ramp was completed and Filipino Naval ship BRP Ivatan landed on the ramp. Work on the port and upgrades to the island's airstrip progressed. On 9 June 2020, the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) led the inauguration of a beaching ramp on Thitu Island which was finally completed after three years. The facility enabled to bring in more materials and equipment to repair and maintain the airstrip and building of other facilities. Also, the Department of Transportation (DOTR) confirmed that the new seaport and sheltered port on Thitu Island is completed and ready to operate by 12 June. In June 2020, the Philippines reversed its decision to suspend the Philippines–United States Visiting Forces Agreement, and completed construction of access ramp on Thitu Island, which will enable the Philippines to commence repair to the airbase runway. China has been asked by the Philippines to respect the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which rejected China's claims in the South China Sea. In August 2020, the Kalayaan municipal government named six sandbars and two reefs associated with Pag-asa Island. On 12 June 2021, the National Power Corporation switched on its ₱33 million Kalayaan Diesel Power Plant project that covered the supply, delivery and installation of the 300 kilowatt diesel generating sets, a 13.8-kilovolt (kV) distribution line and fuel oil storage tanks, providing round-the-clock power to the facilities on the island. Topography Pag-asa Island is a low-lying island with trees, shrubs, and sand bars. It is surrounded by coral reefs populated with rusting shipwrecks visible above water. Civilian administration The island serves as the town proper to the municipality of Kalayaan. Only Pag-asa Island, among all Philippine-occupied Spratly islands, is currently inhabited by Filipino civilians. The civilian population of about 300, which includes children, were introduced in 2001. However, fewer than 200 civilian Filipinos are present on the island at a time. They live in a few dozen houses, linked with sandy paths. It administers nearly dozen other islets, cays, and reefs in the Spratly Islands. It is the only Philippine-occupied island in the Spratlys to have a significant number of structures, including a municipal hall, multi-purpose hall, health center, school, police station, coast guard station, marine research station, water-filtration plant, engineering building, marina, communication tower, and military barracks. The residents raise pigs, goats, and chickens, and plant crops in