Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed that repairs to the airstrip on Thitu Island in the South China Sea will be completed by next year.
By NASA (Landsat 7 Path 120 Row 52) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Lorenzana added that this will commence once the construction of a beaching ramp is finished this year. This will allow heavy machinery such as bulldozers to reach the island.