Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, July 12, called on the Department of National Defense (DND) to speed up its construction and expansion of facilities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Hontiveros issued the appeal as the Philippines commemorates the fifth anniversary of its victory at The Hague, which affirmed the country's claim over the WPS.

“Magtayo at padamihin na ng DND ang mga pasilidad sa mga isla natin sa WPS (The DND should build more facilities on our islands in the WPS). We need to show China that we will no longer be passive about our 2016 victory," the opposition senator said in a statement.

"We tirelessly and repeatedly invoke the Arbitral Ruling in our pronouncements, but we should also complement these words with actions. It is time to act,” she added.

On July 12, 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) invalidated China's sweeping "nine-dash line" territorial claim in the South China Sea, including the WPS. The arbitral award also recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China, however, refuses to recognize the landmark ruling and has been continuing its illegal constructions and incursions in the WPS.

"Kung hindi nakikinig ang Tsina sa panawagan natin, baka kailangan makita na ng sarili niyang mata kung ano ang ating ibig iparating (If China refuses to heed our calls, maybe they should see for themselves what we intend to tell them)," Hontiveros said.

The DND, she said, could also work with local government units (LGUs) and other agencies, such as the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Agriculture, to encourage civilian activity in the Kalayaan Island Group.

Allowing various activities or special projects in the islands could show that the islands are part of Philippine territory, she said.

“We cannot treat the islands in the WPS only as military outposts, but also as civilian territories that are simply part of the Philippines. If the Executive can devise a way that will allow for more activity in the islands, accompanied of course by security protocols, it can contribute to consolidating our sovereignty” Hontiveros proposed.

Hontiveros likewise reiterated her call to officially celebrate the "National West Philippine Sea Victory Day" every July 12.

She earlier filed Senate Resolution 762 that seeks to annually commemorate the Philippines' 2016 triumph and to honor late former President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III, whose administration asserted the country's claim over the WPS before The Hague.

“We must never forget this victory. We must never forget the ways China has exploited our seas, harassed our people, and disrespected our sovereignty," Hontiveros said.