00:00To retain the patriotism and nationalism in our country's sovereignty,
00:04various government agencies in Cagayan Valley held a West Philippine Sea Symposium at Cagayan
00:11State University. Mary Joy Javier of Philippine Information Agency Cagayan Valley hashes over the
00:17details. Public awareness on the West Philippine Sea issue continued to grow especially among the
00:24youth. This was highlighted during the West Philippine Sea Symposium at Cagayan State
00:28University where more than 600 students from various schools in the region along with the
00:33representatives from different government agencies in Cagayan Valley engaged in discussions on the
00:39country's territorial claims. With the ongoing tensions between the Philippines and China,
00:54the government assures the public that diplomacy remains at the forefront of its approach.
00:59Commodore JT Tariella, spokesperson for the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea,
01:04emphasized that while the administration asserts its country's sovereign rights,
01:08it remains committed to peaceful resolutions. While we are asserting strongly our position
01:13the West Philippine Sea, at the same time he is making sure that it will not be escalatory
01:18or provocative. Meanwhile with the 2025 midterm elections approaching, Tariella also noted that
01:24Filipino voters have shown increased awareness regarding the West Philippine Sea issue largely
01:29due to the transparency initiative led by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.
01:34As the government continues its transparency effort, the hope is that more Filipinos,
01:38especially the youth, will take an active role in advocating the country's rights
01:43over the West Philippine Sea. From PIA Cagayan Valley, Mary Joy Javier, Balitang Pambansa.
