Tolentino: 2 landmark laws aim to secure PH’s bright maritime future

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino talks about the West Philippine Sea Law during the Kapihan forum in Manila in this file photo taken on November 13, 2024. INQUIRER.net / NOY MORCOSO

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Maritime Zones Act (RA 12064) and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (RA 12065) aim to secure not just the country’s territorial integrity, but also its future sources of energy and food, including fish and other marine products.

“These laws are forward-looking and would benefit several generations of Filipinos,” said Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino, the principal author and sponsor of the twin measures.

READ: Tolentino: Signing of two PH maritime laws a victory for every Filipino

Speaking before a conference of radio station news managers on Tuesday, the senator also appealed to members of the media to help explain to Filipinos why these laws matter to them.

“This can be done by relating in simple terms how these measures could help address current problems, such as the incessant shortage of fish supply and rising cost of gasoline and electricity,” he noted.

Explaining further, he said: “Every year, we impose a closed fishing season lasting several months for round scad (galunggong) and sardines (tamban). These also mark the deluge of fish imports to fill the insufficient supply.”

“But the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has no closed and open seasons. Along with the ‘Talampas ng Pilipinas’ (formerly ‘Benham Rise’) in our eastern seaboard, these rich maritime zones can help provide fish and other marine products for Filipinos,” added the senator.

In addition, he said that scientific marine studies indicate the potential of WPS to generate oil and natural gas to fulfill the need for cheap and sustainable sources of energy for households and industries.

As the country took bold steps to define the metes and bounds of its maritime zones and designate its archipelagic sea lanes, he said that ongoing scientific marine studies could be expanded to involve allied countries, with their advanced technology and financial capabilities.

“This is the reason why I am pushing for a partnership with Japan on the sharing of fisheries technology, so that we could benefit from it. This is in light of current discussions on the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA),” the senator said, referring to the bilateral security agreement between the Philippines and Japan, which was approved at the Senate committee level last Monday.

Finally, he noted that the submission of RA 12064 to the United Nations and RA 12065 to the International Maritime Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization will help strengthen international support to the country’s assertion of its maritime rights and claims.