West Philippine Sea Mandatory Education Act of 2025

Diler oi 1. TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 14 P4:02 SENATE RECEN S.B. No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT PROMOTING NATIONAL AWARENESS THROUGH THE MANDATORY STUDY OF THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS EXPLANATORY NOTE The West Philippine Sea dispute is one of the most pressing foreign policy and national security issues facing the Philippines. At its core is the conflict between the Philippines' maritime entitlements and the People's Republic of China's sweeping claim over almost the entire West Philippine Sea (WPS), represented by the so-called "nine- dash line." The Philippines' claim over the WPS is grounded not only in modern international law but also in a well-documented history of territorial ownership, effective administration, and recognition by foreign powers. Historical records and ancient maps support the assertion that parts of the disputed waters and features belong to the Philippine territory. Spanish-era maps from as early as the 1700s, including Pedro Murillo Velarde's 1734 map depicting parts of the West Philippine Sea within the territory of the Spanish-ruled Philippine Islands. The colonial government of Spain used these maps in governing the archipelago and later passed on to the United States under the Treaty of Paris of 1898. The 1900 Treaty of Washington further added that "all islands belonging to the Philippine Archipelago, lying outside the lines described in Article III" were also ceded to the United States as part of the territory of the Philippines.? Despite these strong legal and historical foundations, China continues to pursue aggressive methods to solidify its "nine-dash" claim. It has deployed military vessels within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and constructed military facilities and other structures on reefs within the Philippine continental shelf. Filipino * Jarius Bondoc, Panatag Is Proven PH Territory; China Claims It by Bogus History, The Philippine Star, Mar. 27, 2024, https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/opinion/2024/03/27/2343536/panatag-proven-ph-territory-china-claims-it-bogus-history (last accessed July 6, 2025) Janvic Mateo, China Has Backed Philippine Maritime Zone - Carpio, The Philippine Star, June 7, 2024, https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/06/07/2361015/china-has-backed-philippine-maritime-zone-carpio (last accessed July 6, 2025).

fisherfolk continue to be harassed and denied access to their traditional fishing grounds. instituted arbitration proce dings before rese permanent Court of Arbitation PA) it The Hague, Netherlands, asking for China's "nine-dash line" claim to be invalidated for nonconformity to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On July 12, 2016, the PCA concluded that China's claims to historic rights over most of the South China Sea had no legal basis under the UNCLOS. The ruling also affirmed the Pental she in the West Philippines its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEz) and In confronting this challenge, the Constitution provides clear guidance. It affirms the country's commitment to pursue an independent foreign policy and a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation. The Constitution also mandates that the State must "give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. "* These constitutional principles emphasize that defending Philippine sovereignty requires not only legal and diplomatic action, but also a sustained effort to build awareness, and civic responsibility, especially among the youth. Given the enduring importance of this legal victory and the continuing challenges posed by China's refusal to honor the PCA ruling, this bill seeks to integrate the history of the West Philippine Sea dispute and the Philippines' legal victory in The Hague into the curricula of public and private schools. This will ensure that students fully understand the significance of the PCA ruling, the Philippines' right to protect its territorial jurisdiction, and the implications of China's refusal to recognize the ruling. Hence, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. RISA HONTIVEROS Senator 3 Article II, Section 7 and 9 of the 1987 Constitution. 4 Ibid., Section 17.

Offer of t TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) JUL 14 P4:02 SENATE S.B. No._ 577 RECENCD INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT PROMOTING NATIONAL AWARENESS THROUGH THE MANDATORY STUDY OF THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1, Short Title. - This Act will be known as the "West Philippine Sea

Mandatory Education Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles and State Policies. -

(a) The national territory of the Philippines comprises the Philippine archipelago and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction. (b) The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination. (c) The State must give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. (d) The State must inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. To this end, the State must instill and nurture awareness among young Filipinos of the West Philippine Sea, its rich history, the incursions by China into the West Philippine Sea in violation of Philippine national sovereignty and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the legal significance of the ruling

("Award") promulgated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the West Philippine Sea in 2016.

Sec. 3. Inclusion in the Curriculum. - All public and private educational

institutions at the primary and secondary levels are directed to include in their curricula the history and legal basis of the Philippines' jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea, including but not limited to the following: (a) The meaning and significance of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, as well as the Philippine laws that define the Philippines' rights and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea; (b) The significance of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the ratification of UNCLOS by the Philippines and by China; (c) The Philippines' sovereignty rights over the EEZ, for the purpose of exploration and exploitation, conservation and management of the natural resources, whether living or non-living, both renewable and non-renewable, of the sea- bed, including the subsoil and the superjacent waters, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the resources of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents and winds; (d) The Philippines' exclusive rights and jurisdiction with respect to the establishment and utilization of artificial islands, off-shore terminals, installations and structures, the preservation of the marine environment, including the prevention and control of pollution, and scientific research, in the EEZ; (e) The rich history of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, its use as traditional fishing grounds by Filipino fisherfolk, and the cultural and economic importance of these waters to Philippine coastal communities; (f) The environmental and economic importance of the marine resources within the West Philippine Sea; (g) The significance of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's Award in favor of the Philippines dated July 12, 2016; (h) The incursions and activities of China in the West Philippine Sea and their impact on the Philippines' food security, marine resources, and the environment;

(i) The rights and maritime entitlements of the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino people, especially in light of the lived experiences of Filipino fisherfolk in the affected areas; i) All other matters the Department of Education (DepEd) may deem necessary.

Sec. 4. Development of the Curriculum. - The DepEd, as the implementing

agency, is mandated to develop age-appropriate curricula, instructional materials, and teaching modules, in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), relevant academic institutions, and civil society organizations, consistent with Section 3 of this Act.

Sec. 5. Appropriations. - This Act will be implemented initially within the

framework of the budget of the DepEd for the year it is enacted into law. As far as practicable, the funds required will be drawn from its appropriations for policy formulation, program planning, standards development, and instructional materials development. Thereafter, the amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act will be included in the budget of the DepEd in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after the

effectivity of this Act, the DepEd is directed to promulgate the rules and regulations needed for the implementation of this Act. Sec, 7. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected will continue in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,

rules and regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,