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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Atin ito!': Solon urges swift passage of bill establishing fishing shelters, ports in WPS

'Atin ito!': Solon urges swift passage of bill establishing fishing shelters, ports in WPS

Published Apr 2, 2024 07:27 am

At A Glance

  • Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee is calling for the urgent passage of a measure that aims to establish fishing shelters and ports in the occupied maritime features of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the Philippine (Benham) Rise.

IMG-f0432dedf85841e987e1fe35307d0796-V.jpgAgri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee (Rep. Lee's office)

Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee is calling for the urgent passage of a measure that aims to establish fishing shelters and ports in the occupied maritime features of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the Philippine (Benham) Rise.

“Hindi po tayo pwedeng magwalang kibo na lang sa pambubully sa atin ng dayuhan sa ating sariling bakuran. Kailangang protektahan ang buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga mangingisda, at suportahan ang ating kasundaluhan na buwis-buhay na nagbabantay at nangangalaga sa ating teritoryo,” Lee said in a statement.

(We can't just be passive when foreigners bully us in our own backyard. It is necessary to protect the lives and livelihood of our fishermen, and support our armed forces who risk their lives to guard and protect our territory.)

"This measure can sustainably ensure and send a loud message that the WPS and the Philippine Rise are ours, atin ito! (they are ours!)" he stressed.

Under Lee’s House Bill (HB) No. 9011 or the “Fishing Shelters and Ports Act”, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in coordination with the Department of National Defense (DND) and other relevant government agencies, are tasked to establish the fishing shelters and ports.

These infrastructures will be installed on the islands of Lawak, Kota, Likas, Pag-asa, Parola, Panata, Patag, Rizal Reef, and Ayungin Shoal.

According to Lee, these will serve as safe spots for fishermen so they may “take refuge from foreign militia or unforeseen circumstances, a place where they can rest, store gears and supplies, as well as access communication devices”.

The rookie lawmaker says his bill is aligned with President Marcos' recently-issued Executive Order (EO) No. 57, which creates the National Maritime Council (NMC).

Marcos issued the order shortly after the latest WPS incident. This involved, yet again, the water-cannon attack by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) on a Philippine resupply vessel that was on its way to a military outpost in Ayungin Shoal.

Referring to his measure, Lee said, "Nakataya dito ang integridad ng ating teritoryo, ang dignidad at kabuhayan ng Pilipino."

(At stake here is the integrity of our territory, the dignity, and livelihood of Filipinos.)

“Our territorial waters are vulnerable, so are the lives of our fishermen—our food security soldiers. It is the government’s responsibility to support them and protect their rights from foreign interference in order for them to continue their traditional fishing rights and improve their livelihood,” he added.

Related Tags

wilbert lee West Philippine Sea (WPS) Philippine Rise
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