What is the West Philippine Sea?
The West Philippine Sea is more than just a body of water. It’s our heart, our home, and our future.
It’s where dreams and destinies become reality.
Honest fishermen, fair traders, and tourists, among others, visit these waters to give them meaning.
This vast expanse of deep blue doesn’t just represent Philippine culture, it is the lifeblood of our nation and the key to a self-sustainable and energy-independent future.
Its Importance
The West Philippine Sea brings opportunity and responsibility for our countrymen. It is a source of employment, economic growth, and natural resources, to name just a few.
By safeguarding this maritime treasure, we pave the way for our nation’s brighter, more prosperous future.
Challenges to Our Sovereignty
The West Philippine Sea is threatened by poaching, territorial disputes, and coral reef destruction, impacting nearby livelihoods and Philippine independence.
Addressing these challenges requires a deeper understanding of our history. It emphasizes that safeguarding our resources is not only about protecting our territory but also upholding the national integrity of every Filipino, both today and in the future.
Facts and
Figures
1.8K
Hectares of reef ecosystems are ecologically damaged in Panatag and Spratly Islands, which can lead to a “collapse” of fisheries in the area, threatening the livelihood of those nearby.
100TN
Cubic feet of natural gas and 11B barrels of untapped oil and other natural resources unclaimed.
₱33B
Worth of damages done to the Philippines’ continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, annually.
Our Goals and Strategies
We aim to secure a safer, more sustainable, and more prosperous future for the Philippines by defending the West Philippine Sea and raising awareness of its critical connection to the Philippines’ sovereignty, its economic impact on our people’s livelihoods, and the environmental sustainability it brings to our nation.
Through these efforts, we seek to empower individual citizens, entire communities, and decision-makers with the knowledge needed to protect these waters.
The Significance of the West Philippine Sea to Our Sovereignty
Brimming with natural resources and symbolic of sovereign pride, the West Philippine Sea is a vital maritime expanse that is crucial not only for the countless Filipino fisherfolks who rely on its waters for their livelihoods but also for our national identity.
Safeguarding Our Seas: HB 7824's Strategic Arsenal for Philippine Sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea
Nestled within the vast expanse of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) lies a treasure trove of diverse natural resources, poised to be a cornerstone of prosperity for Filipinos. Beyond merely serving as a bountiful source of livelihood, the WPS holds untapped potential, prompting a reassessment of the Philippines’ claims within this maritime domain.
Charting Maritime Sovereignty: The Impact of House Bill 7819
There has long been a misperception about the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which is part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Many people wrongly refer to it as part of the South China Sea. However, a watershed moment happened in 2016, when the Hague Court conclusively affirmed that the West Philippine Sea is part of Philippine territory, undermining China’s claimed nine-dash line.
Senate Bill 2492 Aims to Assert Sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea
In response to the pressing maritime issues between China, the Philippines has advanced in its legislative process as Senate Bill 2492, or the Philippine Marine Zones Act, leaving the halls of Congress to be examined yet again in the Senate. SB 2492 aims to define and affirm the country’s maritime borders from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to internal waters
