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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Legarda, Hontiveros push anew passage of blue economy bill

Legarda, Hontiveros push anew passage of blue economy bill

Published Jul 11, 2025 02:01 pm

At A Glance

  • Senators Loren Legarda and Risa Hontiveros expressed hope that President Marcos will include the proposed Blue Economy Act—a measure promoting sustainable use of marine resources and protecting fishermen's rights—in his July 28 SONA, highlighting its importance for the Philippines as a maritime and archipelagic nation.
Two senators are hopeful that the proposed Blue Economy Act will be recognized as a national priority in President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28.
"I’m hopeful that some of the key measures we’ve already filed, like the proposed Blue Economy Act, will be recognized as national priorities," Sen. Loren Legarda said in a statement.
"This bill will use our rich marine resources to drive inclusive economic growth, but it does so while protecting the environment and strengthening our coastal communities' resilience," she added.
Legarda said that she's committed to pushing for the immediate passage of this and other measures that respond directly to the needs of our people.
In the 19th Congress, the Senate approved the Blue Economy Act on its third and final reading.
Legarda said the blue economy transcends borders and touches the very essence of the Philippines’ sustainable future, as recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, which has identified the urgent need to protect and harness the potential of oceans and marine resources to drive sustainable development, as encapsulated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros expressed support for the bill as a co-author.
"Very supportive sa blue economy bill, co-author din ako dun, lalo na dahil tayo ay maritime nation, archipelagic nation hindi lang sa usapin ng WPS pati sa usapin ng karapatan ng ating mangingisda at yung kalusugan ng ating marine ecosystem (I am very supportive of the Blue Economy Bill; I am also a co-author of it, especially since we are a maritime and archipelagic nation—not only in terms of issues concerning the West Philippine Sea but also in upholding the rights of our fishermen and the health of our marine ecosystem)," she said in an interview.
"Hopefully, isa yun sa maraming dapat banggitin ni Presidente sa SONA (Hopefully, that will be one of the many things the President mentions in the SONA)," she added.
Last year, Hontiveros also pushed for the celebration of National West Philippines Sea day every July 12 through Senate Resolution No. 674.
She was also inclined to support Rep. Rufus Rodriguez’s bill proposing to create a think tank called the Center for West Philippine Studies under the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The center aims to promote and focus on how the Philippines can better defend and support its territorial claims in the WPS.

Related Tags

Risa Hontiveros Loren Legarda West Philippine Sea blue economy President Marcos
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