Manila: Lawmakers of the House of Representatives have filed a measure that mandates the integration of age-appropriate West Philippine Sea education into basic and higher education curricula.
According to Philippines News Agency, House Bill (HB) 10587, also known as the 'West Philippine Sea Education Act,' was filed on Tuesday. The bill institutionalizes a comprehensive West Philippine Sea Education and Awareness Program aimed at promoting national understanding of the Philippines' maritime rights. These rights are outlined in the Constitution, Republic Act 12064 (Philippine Maritime Zones Act), the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
The measure was introduced by Deputy Speakers Francisco Paolo Ortega (La Union) and Jefferson Khonghun (Zambales), along with Representatives Ziaur-Rahman 'Zia' Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur), Ramon Rodrigo 'Rodge' Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list), and Ernesto Dionisio Jr. (Manila). The group, collectively known as the House Young Guns, emphasized the importance of educating Filipino students on factual information regarding the West Philippine Sea to support a rules-based international order.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the vulnerability of young people to misinformation and propaganda on social media. They underscored the need to equip the youth with accurate, evidence-based knowledge of the nation's sovereign rights and entitlements. The urgency of the bill is highlighted by ongoing challenges in the West Philippine Sea, including the spread of pro-China narratives by some public officials.
HB 10587 tasks the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education with developing standardized, regularly updated learning materials. This effort will be coordinated with agencies like the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), National Security Council, Department of Foreign Affairs, National Maritime Council, and Philippine Coast Guard. The bill also includes provisions for educator capacity-building, nationwide public awareness campaigns, and research on maritime security and related topics.
The bill ensures that instruction remains nonpartisan, evidence-based, and anchored on internationally recognized facts, official government maps and policies, and the principles of peaceful dispute settlement.
