MANILA — The government has called on all Filipinos to rally behind efforts to protect the country’s sovereign rights and assert its maritime identity, as Malacañang rolls out a nationwide awareness campaign to affirm the nation’s status as a maritime and archipelagic state.
Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that defending the Philippines’ territorial rights must be a collective effort among Filipinos.
“Dapat lamang po natin i-promote at ipagtanggol ang ating sovereign rights, ang ating mga karapatan patungkol po sa rights ng ating bansa,” Castro said in a media briefing at Malacañang Palace.
“Muli, magkaisa po tayo; bawat Pilipino dapat ipagpunyagi kung anong mayroon tayo sa Pilipinas; maging pro-Philippines lagi,” she added.
The call came in the wake of Memorandum Circular No. 87, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on July 11, which directs all government agencies and encourages private sector participation in initiatives that reinforce the country’s maritime and archipelagic character.
MC 87 designates the National Maritime Council, through the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns, to lead year-round campaigns that build public awareness of the Philippines’ maritime interests. It also institutionalizes the annual observance of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) every September.
When asked about Senate Bill 2450, which seeks to protect marine ecosystems and support Filipino fisherfolk, especially those in the West Philippine Sea, Castro said the measure is consistent with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priorities.
“Sa lahat po ng ikagaganda ng ating environment, sa ating ikaaangat po ng taumbayan, mga mangingisda po, hindi po ito tututulan ng Pangulo,” she said./PN
