Butuan hosts multi-sectoral forum on West PH Sea issue

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 29): Butuan hosts multi-sectoral forum on West PH Sea issue

BUTUAN CITY – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) held an information drive through a Multi-Sectoral Forum on West Philipppne Sea (WPS) Issue here on Tuesday.

The more than 150 participants are composed of farmers and fisherfolks, heads and representatives from the national government agencies, academe, media, local government units, business and religious sectors.

In his welcome message, PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga stressed that the discussion on the West Phil. Sea is so important for Filipinos to protect their interest and rights when it comes to the maritime rights of the country. “So, as participants in this forum, you will serve a function as immediate multipliers by cascading the information to the communities by keeping them informed about the issue on West Philippine Sea and the interventions made by the government,” Caga said.

Meanwhile, during a presentation of the rationale of the forum, PIA Caraga
administrative officer and Surigao del Norte information center manager Venus Garcia also emphasized that the participation of the stakeholders plays a vital role in manifesting the same wave of patriotism. Garcia added that the WPS concern is not a battle resorting by force but a battle in claiming the Filipinos’ legitimate territorial rights. “Let us rally together to support the government’s undertakings on this issue. It is incumbent upon each of us to do our share,” she said.

As pointed out by guest speaker and DFA's senior assistant of the undersecretary for policy Ma. Teresa Almojuela, “the country has legitimate right on the West Phil. Sea as enshrined in the International Law, and that China is claiming what is ours, thus, the Filipinos should defend what is rightfully ours.”

Almojuela relayed that according to surveys, nine out of 10 Filipinos support the claim of the Philippine government on West Phil. Sea. “Our actions are based and are consistent with the rule of law. We hope for positive results and we are near to completion. Let's keep talking about this and keep the stakeholders in engaging into this undertakings," Almojuela added.

“To secure peace and security, the government implements a whole of a nation approach, and our country projects a credible defense posture. The security clusters continuously engage on briefings and meetings to come up with better assessment and resolutions regarding the dispute,” explained Almojuela.

Meanwhile, staff director of the PIA program management division  Emelyn Libunao expressed that, "as a Filipino, each of us must engage and participate in delivering the message that we are determined to claim and defend what is legitimately ours by disseminating our acquired information especially on matters of the West Philippine Sea Issue."

Also, Libunao underscored during the open forum that the country is anchoring in the guiding principle of respect to the primacy of the rule of law. “Waging war is not our end option, we want to help our fellow Filipinos understand that we are determined to defend what is legitimately ours,” she remarked.

Participants heard the message of Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma through an audio-visual presentation emphasizing the vital role of communicators in the different communities especially in upholding the Filipinos’ legitimate rights towards the West Philippine Sea.

The multi-sectoral forum is one of the key activities of the information dissemination campaign targeting professionals down to the grassroot level.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2761454004978/butuan-hosts-multi-sectoral-forum-on-west-ph-sea-issue