Human rights lawyer and Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno is appealing to lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to throw their support behind a bill that would require teaching the history and geography of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in all primary and secondary schools nationwide.
Speaking after the screening of the documentary “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea” on Wednesday, Diokno stressed that even young Filipinos must be aware of the significance of the WPS. “All Filipino children, even if they are young, should know the importance of WPS and why it is ours,” he said.
His call came shortly after the Department of Budget and Management submitted the proposed ₱6.7 trillion National Expenditure Program to the House of Representatives, with the education sector poised to receive the largest allocation if passed. It also followed the August 11 incident where a China Coast Guard vessel, in pursuit of a Philippine Coast Guard ship, collided with a Chinese Navy warship near Scarborough Shoal.
Diokno is part of the WPS bloc — a coalition of lawmakers advocating stronger maritime education and defense measures — alongside Akbayan Reps. Perci Cendaña and Dadah Ismula; Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao; Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima; Albay 1st District Rep. Krisel Lagman-Luistro; and Senator Risa Hontiveros.
The bloc is also pushing to declare July 12, the anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling, as “National West Philippine Sea Victory Day” and has filed a resolution to investigate sister city agreements between the Philippines and China.
