SO, YOU’RE wondering: What in the world does “MANA Mo” mean? Is it some cryptic code for a sinister plot, or simply the literal Tagalog version of the English phrase “your inheritance”?
I have to disappoint you. It’s none of the above. Rather, it refers to this:
Presidential Proclamation No. 316, signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte on September 14, 2017, designated September of every year as Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo).
Right. So, it’s probably another one of those usually boring government-induced awareness months, right? Not this one. MANA Mo is quite significant, particularly because it touches on our sovereignty in that highly disputed geopolitical flashpoint — the South China Sea, or the West Philippine Sea, as the case may be.
Along that line, MANA Mo encourages all Philippine government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units, as well as the private sector, to implement programs and activities that contribute to raising awareness about maritime and archipelagic issues.
Likewise, MANA Mo is essential in promoting a comprehensive understanding of the Philippines’ maritime heritage, challenges, and opportunities. By fostering a sense of responsibility and pride in our maritime identity, the nation can work toward the sustainable and inclusive development of its maritime resources for the benefit of its people and the international community.
All of this is meant to raise awareness that the Philippines adheres to the “Archipelagic Doctrine,” a legal principle under which an archipelago is regarded as a single unit, such that the waters around, between, and connecting its islands, irrespective of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of an archipelagic state and are subject to its sovereignty.
As an archipelagic nation, the sea is more than just the waters surrounding our islands. It is part of our identity, livelihood, heritage, security, and future. Every Filipino has a role in protecting and preserving our seas for generations to come.
Hence, Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) is dedicated to raising national awareness of the Philippines’ maritime and archipelagic identity, as well as the importance of protecting our marine wealth, maritime domain, and coastal resources.
The Philippines is observing Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month, or MANA Mo, this September to reaffirm its commitment to protecting its maritime rights, including those in the West Philippine Sea.
This year’s observance, held in the same year as the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, offers a timely occasion to uphold, affirm, and reiterate our country’s lawful rights and entitlements.
The theme, “Karapatan sa Karagatan, Sama-Sama Nating Alagaan,” captures our collective duty. Defending what is ours demands solidarity as a people and firm national resolve.
Moving on, it has been a decade — July 12, 2026, to be exact — since the arbitral tribunal constituted under the Permanent Court of Arbitration framework in The Hague upheld key Philippine positions concerning maritime entitlements in the South China Sea, including areas within what we call the West Philippine Sea.
That landmark victory, although rejected by China, was achieved not through military aggression but through diplomacy and the rule of law. The ruling invalidated the legal basis for Beijing’s expansive claims to historic rights within the so-called nine-dash line while affirming Philippine maritime entitlements under international law.
Ten years later, the arbitral award remains a compelling example of how international disputes can be pursued through peaceful legal means and has become a cornerstone of the country’s maritime policy.
The 2016 Arbitral Award stands as proof that, even in the face of adversity, the peaceful settlement of disputes and adherence to international law offer a path forward. It demonstrated to the world that even a developing nation can assert and defend its rights without resorting to force.
But Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month, or MANA Mo, is not just about the “Archipelagic Doctrine” or sovereignty. It is also about something equally fundamental — our oceans and the environment.
Finally, on the local scene, environmental advocates and partner organizations gathered one early September morning at 8 Villa Beach House in Arevalo for one of the activities aligned with MANA Mo — the kickoff of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026./PN
