The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading last night the proposed Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, a measure that could impact on the ongoing territorial controversy over the West Philippine Sea between Philippines and China.
Pending in at least four congresses, House Bill 5487 seeks to empower the president to designate the archipelagic sea lanes in the archipelagic waters of the Philippines. This provision differed from previous measures filed on the issue.
With 146 congressmen favoring the bill, the Lower House finally disposed of two measures related to territorial waters of the country.
Earlier, the House approved House Bill 4889 defining the maritime zones of the country.
Endorsed by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, HB 5487 will establish the parameters for the establishment of archipelagic sea lanes (ASLs) in the Philippine archipelago.
Committee chairman and Albay Rep. Alfrancis Bichara said the bill prescribes the rights and obligations of foreign ships and aircraft when exercising the right of passage over Philippine waters in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“It emphasizes that the exercise of the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage (ASLP) by all foreign ships shall be consistent with the constitutional mandate of freedom from nuclear weapons in Philippine territory,” Bichara said.
Magdalo party-list Rep. Ashley Acedillo said doubts on the bill’s full implementation have been expressed by various quarters.
http://www.mb.com.ph/house-approves-ph-sea-lanes/
Pending in at least four congresses, House Bill 5487 seeks to empower the president to designate the archipelagic sea lanes in the archipelagic waters of the Philippines. This provision differed from previous measures filed on the issue.
With 146 congressmen favoring the bill, the Lower House finally disposed of two measures related to territorial waters of the country.
Earlier, the House approved House Bill 4889 defining the maritime zones of the country.
Endorsed by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, HB 5487 will establish the parameters for the establishment of archipelagic sea lanes (ASLs) in the Philippine archipelago.
Committee chairman and Albay Rep. Alfrancis Bichara said the bill prescribes the rights and obligations of foreign ships and aircraft when exercising the right of passage over Philippine waters in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“It emphasizes that the exercise of the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage (ASLP) by all foreign ships shall be consistent with the constitutional mandate of freedom from nuclear weapons in Philippine territory,” Bichara said.
Magdalo party-list Rep. Ashley Acedillo said doubts on the bill’s full implementation have been expressed by various quarters.
http://www.mb.com.ph/house-approves-ph-sea-lanes/
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