MANILA, Philippines- There is no better time for Filipinos to have a deeper knowledge and understanding of the country’s territory in the face of China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
With that in mind, opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros expressed her readiness to support the creation of a government office exclusively for WPS issues.
A Center for West Philippine Studies is being proposed in House Bill No. 7824, initiated by Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
The measure was filed last year but it remains pending in the committee level.
“I’m inclined to support this measure, considering how it is essential that we keep thinking of more creative strategies to better defend the WPS. Mahalaga ang malalim na pag-aaral para maprotektahan ang ating karagatan, karapatan, at soberanya,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Wednesday.
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(An in-depth study is important to protect our seas, rights and sovereignty)
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It was also “because of deep and exhaustive legal and historical research, discussions, and debates” that the Philippines won in the 2016 landmark arbitral ruling against China, Hontiveros pointed out.
“Having a think tank like this proposed Center for West Philippine Sea Studies can all the more contribute to the wealth of knowledge and information that could only strengthen our claims,” she added.
For Hontiveros, the Philippines’ historic win at the Hague is too important not to celebrate every 12th day of July.
It would be called the National West Philippine Sea Victory Day if a resolution she filed in the Senate last year would prosper.
“Celebrating National WPS Day every July 12 is a way for us to always remember our historic win at the Hague. Paraan ito para matiyak na ang panalong ito ay hindi tratuhing parang papel lang na pwedeng itapon sa basura,” she said.
(This is a way to ensure that this victory is not treated like a piece of paper that can be easily disposed of.)
“It should be part of our history lessons. This landmark legal victory should be kept alive in the hearts of our people. Commemorating WPS Day would remind not only Filipinos, but the entire world, how the Philippines fought – peacefully – for what is ours, for what is right,” the senator added.
Blue Economy Act
Equally important is the proposed Blue Economy Act, which Hontiveros said would promote a “sustainable development of the Philippines’ marine resources.”
“Ang panukalang ito ay magsisigurado na ang mga likas-yaman na nakapaloob sa WPS ay mapapakinabangan nating mga Pilipino, partikular na ng mga mangingisda at fisherfolk communities na nakadepende sa WPS para sa kanilang kabuhayan,” she explained.
(This proposal will ensure that the natural resources within the WPS can be utilized by us Filipinos, particularly by fishermen and fisherfolk communities who depend on the WPS for their livelihood.)
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“Through this measure, the government is pushed to play an active role in ensuring that the marine life within our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) is protected, our resources kept intact, and our future secure.
The Senate just passed last month its version of the bill while a countermeasure in the House of Representatives was approved in December last year.
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