Marcos signs laws reaffirming PH rights over maritime zones

Manila Bulletin

President Marcos signed into law on Friday, Nov. 8, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act—two measures that aim to protect the country's sovereignty and jurisdiction in its waters.  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/8/PBBMsigns-laws-reaffirming-martime-rights  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00Today, we gather for the signing of two very significant laws that emphasize the importance

00:26of our maritime and archipelagic identity, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the

00:32Philippines Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

00:36With these pieces of legislation, we align our domestic laws with international law,

00:41specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas or UNCLOS, to improve our capacity

00:47for governance and reinforce our maritime policies for economic development and for

00:52national security.

00:55The first law is the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which clearly defines the extent

00:59of our maritime entitlements and fully declares their meets and bounds in accordance with

01:06our Constitution and with the UNCLOS.

01:09This is essential in establishing the extent of our maritime jurisdiction and to ensure

01:15that our rights and duties as an archipelagic state are well-defined in order that all Filipinos

01:21can rightfully enjoy the riches of our seas.

01:26Our people, especially our fisherfolk, should be able to pursue their livelihood free from

01:31uncertainty and harassment.

01:33We must be able to harness mineral and energy resources in our seabed.

01:39Maintaining the primacy of the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award as our beacons in

01:45the maritime domain, the Philippines reaffirms its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction

01:51in our waters.

01:53By defining and asserting our maritime zones, we project to the international community

01:59that we are staunchly committed to nurturing, cultivating, and protecting our maritime domain.

02:08The second law, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, complements both our maritime

02:13and aerial policies by establishing a route system in our country's archipelagic waters

02:19and, as well, the airspace above it.

02:22The designated archipelagic sea lanes and air routes aim to facilitate safe passage

02:28for foreign ships and aircraft without compromising our national security nor diminishing our

02:34capacity for good environmental stewardship.

02:38These sea lanes will offer continuous, expeditious, and unobstructed transit for vessels and air

02:45transport while obliging them to comply with navigational regulations and procedures, as

02:51well as with the air rules of flight safety and protocols.

02:56We are committed in implementing these ASLs in faithful accordance with the process found

03:01in the UNCLOS, while firmly upholding the principles of reciprocity and mutual respect

03:08amongst states.

03:11The passage of these two priority bills fully demonstrates our commitment as a responsible

03:18member of the international community and our advocacy to uphold rules-based international

03:25order.

03:26In the same breath, these signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve

03:32our rich biodiversity, and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood

03:39for all Filipinos.

03:41I convey my gratitude to our legislatures for their steadfast commitment to safeguard

03:46the interests of the Filipino people.

03:49This includes the assertion of our rights as an archipelagic state while fulfilling

03:54our obligations under international law.

03:59Bringing these bills forward took incredible commitment, as these have been deliberated

04:04since at least the 15th Congress.

04:07This long journey has been led by our maritime champions in the House of Representatives

04:11and in the Senate, supported by our dedicated team of public servants, technical and legal

04:18experts, academicians, and other stakeholders.

04:21To you who have collaborated and leveraged your wisdom and expertise to ensure the coherence

04:28and the soundness of these laws, I convey my appreciation, and so do the Filipino people.

04:35It is expected that the clarity of the extent of the maritime zones and the determination

04:41of the archipelagic sea lanes will impact domestic laws and regulations at the national

04:47and at the local level.

04:49I therefore call on all concerned government agencies and the local governments to review

04:53rules and regulations against these new laws with a view of undertaking the necessary steps

05:01for their effective implementation.

05:05As part of the 14th Congress that passed the Philippines Archipelagic Baselines Law in

05:102009, this matter is close to my heart because these measures prove not only our commitment

05:18to ensuring the safety and prosperity of our maritime domain, but also our firm faith

05:24in our identity as a maritime nation.

05:27It is a spirit that transcends administrations.

05:30It is an intrinsic and undeniable part of the national, the Filipino character.

05:37It is my fervent hope that with the help of these two laws, we will continue to pursue

05:41and defend our maritime interests and navigate towards a brighter and stronger Bagong Pilipinas.

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