First Multi Sectoral Forum on West Philippine Sea held in Cebu

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 10): First Multi Sectoral Forum on West Philippine Sea held in Cebu 

CEBU CITY --- Cebu today hosted the first ever multi-sectoral forum on the West Philippine Sea, which is the the first of a series of informaton drive to be held in regions nationwide.

More than a hundred representatives from various sectors attended the forum jointly conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) held at the Central Command, Camp Lapulapu.

The objective of the activity is to raise awareness among citizens on the issue on West Philippine Sea and to get the people's support o the policies and actions of the Philippine government to address the issues in South China Sea.

Lt. Gen Nicanor Vivar, commanding general of Armed Forces of the Philippines-Centcom, said there is tension in the West Philippine Sea which the Filipinos need to be aware of.

“It is no longer a domestic problem but it has become a global problem. We have to know the historical facts and also our historical rights,” Vivar said in his welcome message.

The 3,500-square kilometer area west of the Philippines was then called South China Sea until the issuance of Administrative Order 29 in 2012 officially naming it as West Philippine Sea.

DFA Spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, gave a presentation explaining the historical background of the tension at the West Philippine Sea.

“We have to raise awareness and gain support of the people on the current moves of the government in addressing the problem,” Jose said.

Jose cited two underlying reasons on the need for public awareness, China’s claim over the territory and its aggressive behavior.

He said China and the rest of the claimants used to "co-exist quietly" until 2009 when China submitted a map showing a nine-dash line which had enclosed the territories in the entire South China Sea.

“China’s claim has been excessive, expansive and no basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” Jose said.

They had recorded several instances of aggression which include establishment of Sensha City, a sign of administering powers over the entire region and the barring of logistics to soldiers guarding the Scarborough Shoal.

Jose said the Philippines is now waiting for the result of an arbitration filed at the United Nations.

Reportedly there are 5 million Filipinos making a living from the sea waters in the areas and the Philippines has the richest biodiversity.

PIA Regional Director Minerva Newman challenged the participants to share the key message starting with their relatives and then the people in their community.

“The key message is that the Philippine Government and the Filipino people are determined to defend what is legally ours,” Newman said.

The knowledge gained from the activity should be shared in order to show support to what the government has been doing.

“We equip ourselves with knowledge, necessary information, the beauty, value of the West Philippine Sea and we can actually start from where we are sitting now,” Newman said.

After the presentation, some identified participants also underwent focused group discussions.

These include people from the academe particularly the communication group in University of San Jose Recoletos, University of San Carlos and University of the Philippines.

There were also representatives from local government units and national government agencies.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2441425979445/first-multi-sectoral-forum-on-west-philippine-sea-held-in-cebu-