DFA, PIA to bring WPS communication campaign to Bacolod

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 28): DFA, PIA to bring WPS communication campaign to Bacolod

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Information Agency – Negros Occidental (PIA) have paired up to conduct a  communication campaign on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue on April 27-28 here.

DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose will be here to interact with mediamen in a press conference and media interviews on April 27 and talk about the country’s rights and measures to gain possession of the much disputed territory, which China also claims as its own, at a multi-sectoral forum on April 28.

The topics that will be tackled during the forum are core issues of the WPS dispute, China’s activities in the area and principles underpinning the Philippines' position on the issue.

The sectors that will participate in the activity are from national government agencies, local government units, business sector, the academe, students, religious, media, farmers and fisher folks.

Participants of the forum are urged to give their suggestions, assessment and views with regard to the country’s stand on the territorial claim.

DFA has targeted 15 WPS fora to be conducted in the different regions, which started last year, and Negros Occidental has been chosen as one of the areas of the said forum.
The activity will be held at the Sugarland Hotel here.

The West Philippine Sea is considered as an abundant source of maritime life, as well as livelihood for the fisher folks.

As of November 2014, there are 1,403,202 registered municipal fisher folks, data from the Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources showed.

Further, the Philippines is 7th among countries in the world in fish production and 3rd in production of aquatic plants (including seaweeds).

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2971461667315/dfa-pia-to-bring-wps-communication-campaign-to-bacolod