Senator Erwin Tulfo champions a bill to teach about the West Philippine Sea in schools as Chinese scholars assert claims over Batanes. Parallel House measures seek to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day, with local governments already observing the date. The National Task Force reaffirms the 2016 arbitral ruling's legal strength on its 10th anniversary, underscoring a national drive to combat disinformation and instill territorial awareness among citizens.
Senator Erwin Tulfo is urging the rapid approval of Senate Bill 1625, the West Philippine Sea Education Act, to combat disinformation regarding the nation's territorial claims.
This legislative push follows assertions by Chinese scholars that Batanes, a northern Philippine province, is part of China's territory, which they describe as a natural geographical extension of Taiwan. Tulfo highlighted the concerning timing of these claims, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive South China Sea claims and affirmed the Philippines' rights within its exclusive economic zone.
He questioned the potential escalation, asking rhetorically if claims might next extend to Palawan, Zambales, or Cagayan. The bill mandates the Department of Education to train teachers and integrate West Philippine Sea education into the curriculum, aiming to equip Filipinos, particularly the youth, with accurate knowledge of the country's maritime entitlements and the significance of the 2016 ruling. Parallel legislative efforts are underway in the House of Representatives.
Representative Leila de Lima stressed the need to counteract ongoing fake news and disinformation about the West Philippine Sea, advocating for the declaration of July 12 as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day and the inclusion of West Philippine Sea studies in schools. Representative Dadah Kiram Ismula of Akbayan echoed this, calling on Congress to honor the courage of local government units by passing measures that institutionalize the victory.
Several local governments, including the province of Palawan, Cebu City, and Labrador town in Pangasinan, have already declared July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day, while Baguio City observes it as West Philippine Sea Awareness Day. Representative Jose Manuel Diokno emphasized that educating the youth is crucial to safeguarding national territory for future generations, supporting both House Bills 1626 and 1625.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) also marked the decade since the arbitral award, reaffirming the government's unwavering commitment to defending sovereignty and maritime entitlements. Secretary Eduardo SL Oban Jr., NTF-WPS chairman, stated that the ruling is based on international law, not power or coercion, and remains final and legally binding under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He noted its continued influence in international jurisprudence, highlighting the rule of law as the foundation for peaceful dispute resolution. Oban paid tribute to uniformed personnel, public servants, fisherfolk, coastal communities, and all Filipinos who protect maritime interests, noting that their service gives the award meaning beyond its legal aspects.
These combined efforts at national and local levels reflect a concerted strategy to embed awareness of the West Philippine Sea victory into the national consciousness and counteract external narratives challenging Philippine sovereignty
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