West Philippine Sea (Wikipedia)



Militant Makabayan congressmen have filed a bill that seeks to declare July 12 of every year as "West Philippine Sea (WPS) Day". The measure was electronically filed on July 12, 2023, on the seventh anniversary of the Philippines' historic Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) victory against China's expansive, nine-dash line territorial claim over practically the entire South China Sea. The nine-dash line covers the WPS and waters within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The landmark 2016 decision of the PCA, which is based at The Hague, Netherlands, invalidated Beijing's claim. "The bill aims to raise awareness among Filipinos about the significance of the ruling and its implications for the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and marine resources," read the explanatory note of the still unnumbered bill. Filing the measure were Act Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel. Under the bill, West Philippine Sea Day will be commemorated in activities to be organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with relevant government agencies. "These activities may include but are not limited to educational campaigns, seminars, forums, exhibitions, and cultural events that highlight the significance of the Hague ruling, raise awareness about the country’s rights on the [WPS], and emphasize the economic and ecological importance of the [WPS]," it further read. It also provides that "The Department of Education (DepED) shall ensure the inclusion of lessons and materials in the formal educational curricula that promote a deeper understanding of the [WPS] issue, the Hague ruling, and the country’s territorial sovereignty, as well as the cultural and historical significance of the [WPS]." Kabataan Party-list, in a statement Wednesday afternoon, called the proposed commemoration of July 12 "a huge first step in order to continue to build an independent foreign policy that will stand up for our sovereignty and territorial integrity". "We hope that once passed, this bill will help foster genuine nationalism and respect for sovereignty among the youth and citizens," it added. July 12 falls a month after Philippine Independence Day. The arbitration case against China's expansive maritime claims was pursued during the tail end of the late president Benigno S. Aquino III's administration.