The Senate is seeking the simultaneous signing of the Philippine Maritime Zones Bill and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Bill.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said senators have agreed to work for the concurrent passage of these measures so that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can sign both at the same time.
Both measures seek to strengthen the country’s sovereignty over its archipelagic waters and maritime resources.
The Senate has already ratified the bicameral conference committee report version of the Philippine Maritime Zones bill last August 19. The sea lanes bill is already up for discussion at the bicameral level.
“That’s why we are waiting for the Sea Lanes bill to be finalized in the bicameral conference,” Escudero said in an interview.
The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) included the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act as well as its complementary measure, the proposed Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act in its top priority legislative bills last June.
The LEDAC also included the proposed Blue Economy Act, which promotes stewardship and sustainable development of the country's coastal and marine ecosystems and resources, in the agenda.
The Senate has just approved its version of the Blue Economy bill on third and final reading.
Sen. Loren Legarda, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2450, said the Blue Economy bill embodies the Philippines’ commitment to conserve, protect, and prosper in harmony with its marine environment.
“The Blue Economy bill, a priority in the LEDAC agenda, is our solution to this pressing issue. It aims to rewrite the narrative for coastal and marine resources, elevating their status in our development plans, and ensuring that they contribute to our national economy and the realization of SDG," Legarda explained during her sponsorship of the bill.