a whole of a nation’s support on west philippine sea: a call for action
DESCRIPTION
The article is part of the NYCongress' advocacy to support the protection of the marine environment and marine life in the West Philippine Sea.TRANSCRIPT
A WHOLE OF A NATION’S SUPPORTA WHOLE OF A NATION’S SUPPORTON WEST PHILIPPINE SEA:ON WEST PHILIPPINE SEA:
A CALL FOR ACTION A CALL FOR ACTION
NYC 2013 of the Philippines“Youth, Peace and Nation”
The Background
The KIG (Kalayaan Island Group) is home to marine biodiversity, fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, and fisheries resources with a reef of about 1000 sq. km. The area hosts the breeding grounds and shelters for fishes and other marine organisms. KIG, being a 5th Class municipality of the province of Palawan and is located within the “claimed” West Philippine Sea (WPS) territories in accordance to Administrative Order No. 29, Series of 2012, is vital to the national and economic survival of the country (Pitlo III, 2013). Economically, 20% of the country’s fisheries catch is coming from the WPS. The WPS rich in fossil fuels accounts for 11 billion barrels of oil, 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and in addition to the unexplored areas that can potentially hold more oil and gas reserves has an estimated value of energy reserves as high as $1 Trillion. Thus, our present and future economic survival largely depends on the sustainable managed utilization of these marine resources in the WPS which is under threat from poaching and use of illegal and destructive fishing practices and the recently significantly reclamations of the Chinese Government.
In consonance, local fishermen visiting certain parts in the WPS for livelihood such as fishing activities are likewise being forcefully harassed and chased away by armed men and paramilitary ships of other occupants (cited). The importance to develop the country’s maritime capabilities to protect the local fishermen living in the areas and to protect the marine resources and biodiversity in the WPS for future economic development and sustainability is absolutely and highly needed.
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The Youth Response
Thus, the NYC 2013 of the Philippines upholds its advocacy on protecting the marine environment and the natural resources in the WPS. In its last year’s effort, the NYC 2013 facilitated 4 small foras from July to September 2014 held in the Barangays and Schools with the theme “Appreciative Inquiry Approach on Environmental Stewardship on the Issues of the West Philippine Sea: A Tool for Community Engagement.” The first forum was attended by 40 youth leaders in Brgy. Sauyo, the second was participated by 200 NSTP students of PUPQC, the 3rd was enjoined by 140 school leaders, education and criminology students of PLMar, and the last was participated by 150 school and community leaders in the Brgy. Putatan in Muntinlupa City. On September 10, 2014, another forum was held in Bulwagang Kap. Moy in Marikina City which was enjoined by about 400 school and community students and leaders, including teachers and school officials from participating schools and organizations. In that forum, Panel of Discussants were Prof. Adriano DC. Balagot (DAMLAY Philippines Founder), , Dr. Fernando P. Siringan (UPMSI), Dir. Arsenio R. Andolong (DND), Dr. Ronald L. Adamat (Former Congressman for IP’s), Cong. Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo (MAGDALO Party list), Mr. Morris Marco S. Lim (NCCA Legal Assistant), and MGEN Lysander A Suerte (AFPCMOJ7) was also present in the course of the discussions. The Panel of Discussants gave their point of views in different perspectives on WPS with emphases at 4 propositions 1) Support Action, 2) Protection of the Natural Resources and Marine Life, 3) Peace and Conflict Resolution Advocacy, and 4) Social Awareness and People’s Initiatives.
In support to the international call on the protection and preservation of the marine environment and natural resources in the world, the NYC 2013 is urged to strengthen its advocacy in the 2 propositions, respectively the 1) Protection of the Natural Resources and Marine Life, and the 2) Increasing of Social Awareness and People’s Initiatives as part of its commitment during the NYC 2013 CapacityBuilding held on December 1819, 2014 at AFPGCSC.
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Our Action
In lieu of the advocacy, the NYC 2013 will conduct another series of foras on the issues of the WPS with emphasis on the Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment and its Natural Resources. The Series of foras will be held in PUP Sta. Mesa, Quezon City Polytechnic University (QCPU), Pamantasang Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMAR), and in the Pamantasan ng Montalban (University of Montalban) with the NSTP faculty and student leaders as participating audiences.
The main goals of the foras are: to strengthen the role of the youth in nationbuilding as prescribed in the Section 3 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) which states that “NSTP refers to the program aimed at enhancingcivic consciousness and defense preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of service and patriotism…”to increase the awareness of the Filipinos on the current situations of the WPS and to deepen their knowledge of the importance of WPS to the country’s national security and economic survival; andto acknowledge the provision of the UNCLOS, Part XII of Section 1, Article 192 which states that “States have the obligation to protect and preserve marine environment.”
As a way forward, the NYC 2013 hope to recommend that the aforementioned goals may be included in the NSTP components and into other related subjects as part of the focal discussions.
Therefore, Our Narrative is “a civilian initiative and a demonstration of support by the Filipino People to protect and improve sustainable development of the KIG in the WPS.”
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Citations:
The Territorial and Jurisdiction Disputes from a Filipino Perspective, A Primer. (The Asian Center and Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, University of the Philippines, July 15 2013)
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http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/475282/news/nation/justicecarpiochinasreclamationposesnationalcrisisforphl
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