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Abalos: 34 LGUs vow support of country's rights in WPS

Philippines | National

Abalos: 34 LGUs vow support of country's rights in WPS

By Chito Chavez

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed that 34 local government units (LGUs) have forged an agreement to support the government’s efforts to safeguard the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a statement, the DILG identified the group as its first ever “National Summit of the West Philippine Sea LGUs.”

“The group is supported by stakeholders expressing support in safeguarding the WPS,’’ the DILG noted.

Earlier, DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. stated that the LGUs facing the coastal areas of the WPS came together to assert the sovereign rights of the country over the contested waters.

“They came together to express support in safeguarding the Philippine Sea at tinitignan namin anong mga kailangan nila, mga patubig ba ito, mga pa-ilaw, etc., so sunod-sunod ito ( and we are looking at what they need, be it irrigation, lighting etc., so everything will follow),’’ Abalos said.

In forging the cooperation, Abalos said that “it was highlighted by the formulation of provincial follow up actions as their commitment to paving the way for a more secure, sustainable, prosperous West Philippine Sea.’’

Ito ‘yung mga LGUs facing the coastal area of the West Philippine Sea (These are the LGUs facing the coastal area of the West Philippine Sea),’’ he added.

The DILG chief pointed out that the DILG had received “manifestations to resolutions” from the LGUs that expressed their intent.

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