Ilang araw bago bumaba sa pwesto, binisita ni outgoing Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ang Naval Operations Base sa Subic, Zambales na isa sa mga proyektong ipinagmamalaki ng Kalihim sa panahon ng kaniyang pamumuno.
Sinabi ni Lorenzana ang activation ng NOB ay nagpapakita sa pagpapahalaga ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para maging well-equipped ang naval force.
“I am extremely delighted to have this Naval Operations Base (NOB) facility up and running before my term as SND (Secretary of National Defense) ends. Its establishment speaks volumes of how our President and Commander-In-Chief, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, appreciates the value of a well-equipped and multi-capable naval force,” mensahe ng Kalihim na pinost sa kaniyang FB page.
Ayon kay Lorenzana ang Naval Operations Base ang siyang magiging main naval support at logistics hub ng Philippine Navy.
” The NOB will be our main naval support and logistics hub. It will also provide a secure and adequate berthing facilities for our growing naval assets,” dagdag pa ni Lorenzana.
Binigyang-diin din ni Sec. Lorenzana na dahil sa nasabing facility, lalo pang mapapalakas ang territorial defense and operations sa West Philippine Sea at maging sa mga karatig lugar.
Pinagana nuong buwan ng Mayo ang NOB Subic kung saang ang missile-frigate, BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), nagsagawa ng symbolic docking sa dating Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHIC-Phil) Shipyard.
Ang bagong activated na base ang siyang magiging tahanan ng ilang fleet marine units, maintenance, and replenishment facilities.
