ILOILO — The Iloilo Provincial Board is launching a province-wide awareness and education campaign to strengthen understanding of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue, emphasizing national sovereignty, factual literacy, and youth participation.
In a recent board session, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) underscored the importance of informed citizenship in countering misinformation and promoting patriotism at the community level.
The AFP presented a communication plan that focused on debunking false narratives, particularly those propagated by Chinese state media, and tailoring awareness drives for the Visayas Region.
Public data presented showed that while 70% of Filipinos are aware of the WPS issue, a growing need remains for deeper understanding — especially among students and barangay leaders.
Dr. Nestor Paul Pingil, chief education supervisor of the Curriculum Implementation Division of DepEd-Iloilo, said topics on the West Philippine Sea have been integrated into the Matatag Curriculum.
“We need to deepen discussions on the legal and historical significance of the WPS to enhance discourse among students,” he noted.
A proposal to establish a West Philippine Sea Day in Iloilo is now being developed to promote community-level awareness and participation.
The board also agreed to coordinate with DepEd and the Provincial Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation to include WPS-related themes in academic debates and student programs.
Provincial SK Federation president and Board Member Esara Javier cited the successful partnership between the PPSK and DepEd in hosting the Supreme Debate, now on its fourth year, and suggested expanding the event to include the WPS as a featured topic at both division and congressional levels.
The AFP emphasized that “this battle is not just between facts and stories,” underscoring the need to “fight the narratives” that distort the Philippines’ rightful claim./PN
