The Senate is aiming to pass and submit the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Archipelagic Sea Lanes Bill together for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature.
This was stated by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero amidst ongoing harassment by China against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The Philippine Maritime Zones Act is among the priority bills of the legislative-executive development advisory council (LEDAC) and has already cleared the bicameral conference committee last July.
Meanwhile, last month, Senate Bill 2665, which seeks to establish the country’s Archipelagic Sea Lanes, was approved on its third and final reading.
The bill was unanimously approved by the Senate with 22 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstentions.
According to the Senate leadership, the Archipelagic Sea Lanes bill is currently being finalized in the bicameral conference committee. It was agreed that both bills would be passed together to be submitted simultaneously to the President for signing.
Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized the importance of protecting the blue economy.
The blue economy refers to the marine and coastal resources that contribute to food security and poverty alleviation.
On August 19, the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill No. 2450, which establishes a framework for preserving the Philippines’ marine resources.
Under this proposal, the government will create a plan to manage marine and coastal resources to reduce land and sea pollution and prevent overfishing.
Gatchalian also stressed the need to stop the harvesting of corals and the construction of islands and structures, as these activities damage the natural state of the West Philippine Sea.
He further pointed out that this issue not only affects Philippine trade but also has global implications.