President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received praise for signing two significant laws –18 years in the making – that play essential roles in enhancing maritime security and economic development of the Philippines.
“Eighteen years, 18 years ago and we have to admit and acknowledge, and admire the determination of President BBM in having these laws passed and signed,” Senator Francis Tolentino said in a Malacañang press briefing on Friday.
Tolentino made the remark hours after President Marcos signed the Philippine Maritime Zone (PMZ) Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (PASL) Act into law. Both laws align domestic laws with international laws, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The PMZ Act declares the Philippines’ maritime zones according to UNCLOS standards and establishes archipelagic sea lanes that create routes through the country’s waters and airspace.
Meanwhile, the PASL Act seeks to establish a system of archipelagic sea lanes and air routes, permitting foreign vessels and aircraft to exercise the right of sea lanes passage.
Sen. Francis Tolentino noted that both measures were among the Marcos administration’s priority initiatives.
“As what Congresswoman Arenas has been saying, it has been mentioned in several international fora, even the President, the last time when he was in Singapore and in all – DFA should correct me if I’m wrong – international consultations with other countries,” he said.
“So, we have to admire the President for signing this,” he added.
Pangasinan Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas (3rd District), chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the House of Representatives and sponsor of the bills at the plenary, also commended the President.
“First of all, I want to thank the President. From the time that he was elected, he was fighting for this, and this is one of his priorities,” Arenas said.
“I have to salute the President again because sa lahat ng paglalakbay niya sa ibang bansa pinaglalaban niya ‘yung sariling atin,” she added.
Arenas said the Philippine Maritime Zones Act enables the government to effectively implement the domestic and international laws to protect the country’s marine and fish resources, and to conserve the marine environment.
The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, on the other hand, will protect the country’s national integrity and security in the West Philippine Sea and other territorial waters.
National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesperson Alexander Lopez said the NMC will work on ensuring a coherent and unified approach to implement the twin laws. “Moving forward, the NMC will be working on this,” he said.
The new laws will take effect 15 days after publication. | PND
