00:00Today, we gather for the signing of two very significant laws that emphasize the importance
00:26of our maritime and archipelagic identity, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the
00:32Philippines Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.
00:36With these pieces of legislation, we align our domestic laws with international law,
00:41specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas or UNCLOS, to improve our capacity
00:47for governance and reinforce our maritime policies for economic development and for
00:52national security.
00:55The first law is the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which clearly defines the extent
00:59of our maritime entitlements and fully declares their meets and bounds in accordance with
01:06our Constitution and with the UNCLOS.
01:09This is essential in establishing the extent of our maritime jurisdiction and to ensure
01:15that our rights and duties as an archipelagic state are well-defined in order that all Filipinos
01:21can rightfully enjoy the riches of our seas.
01:26Our people, especially our fisherfolk, should be able to pursue their livelihood free from
01:31uncertainty and harassment.
01:33We must be able to harness mineral and energy resources in our seabed.
01:39Maintaining the primacy of the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award as our beacons in
01:45the maritime domain, the Philippines reaffirms its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction
01:51in our waters.
01:53By defining and asserting our maritime zones, we project to the international community
01:59that we are staunchly committed to nurturing, cultivating, and protecting our maritime domain.
02:08The second law, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, complements both our maritime
02:13and aerial policies by establishing a route system in our country's archipelagic waters
02:19and, as well, the airspace above it.
02:22The designated archipelagic sea lanes and air routes aim to facilitate safe passage
02:28for foreign ships and aircraft without compromising our national security nor diminishing our
02:34capacity for good environmental stewardship.
02:38These sea lanes will offer continuous, expeditious, and unobstructed transit for vessels and air
02:45transport while obliging them to comply with navigational regulations and procedures, as
02:51well as with the air rules of flight safety and protocols.
02:56We are committed in implementing these ASLs in faithful accordance with the process found
03:01in the UNCLOS, while firmly upholding the principles of reciprocity and mutual respect
03:08amongst states.
03:11The passage of these two priority bills fully demonstrates our commitment as a responsible
03:18member of the international community and our advocacy to uphold rules-based international
03:25order.
03:26In the same breath, these signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve
03:32our rich biodiversity, and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood
03:39for all Filipinos.
03:41I convey my gratitude to our legislatures for their steadfast commitment to safeguard
03:46the interests of the Filipino people.
03:49This includes the assertion of our rights as an archipelagic state while fulfilling
03:54our obligations under international law.
03:59Bringing these bills forward took incredible commitment, as these have been deliberated
04:04since at least the 15th Congress.
04:07This long journey has been led by our maritime champions in the House of Representatives
04:11and in the Senate, supported by our dedicated team of public servants, technical and legal
04:18experts, academicians, and other stakeholders.
04:21To you who have collaborated and leveraged your wisdom and expertise to ensure the coherence
04:28and the soundness of these laws, I convey my appreciation, and so do the Filipino people.
04:35It is expected that the clarity of the extent of the maritime zones and the determination
04:41of the archipelagic sea lanes will impact domestic laws and regulations at the national
04:47and at the local level.
04:49I therefore call on all concerned government agencies and the local governments to review
04:53rules and regulations against these new laws with a view of undertaking the necessary steps
05:01for their effective implementation.
05:05As part of the 14th Congress that passed the Philippines Archipelagic Baselines Law in
05:102009, this matter is close to my heart because these measures prove not only our commitment
05:18to ensuring the safety and prosperity of our maritime domain, but also our firm faith
05:24in our identity as a maritime nation.
05:27It is a spirit that transcends administrations.
05:30It is an intrinsic and undeniable part of the national, the Filipino character.
05:37It is my fervent hope that with the help of these two laws, we will continue to pursue
05:41and defend our maritime interests and navigate towards a brighter and stronger Bagong Pilipinas.
Comments