The Department of Education (DepEd) will introduce lessons on the West Philippine Sea into the Araling Panlipunan curriculum for Grades 4, 6, and 10 beginning School Year 2026.
According to the Philippine Information Agency, this move aims to deepen students’ awareness of the country’s maritime heritage and sovereignty. “This landmark move aims to instill a deeper appreciation for our maritime heritage, educating students on our sovereign rights and territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea,” the agency said.
The initiative will be carried out in partnership with the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The decision comes amid ongoing tensions with China, whose sweeping “nine-dash line” claim in the South China Sea was invalidated by a 2016 international tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines. Despite this, Beijing has continued aggressive activities in the area, including building artificial islands and conducting maneuvers in Philippine waters.
Recently, the National Security Council (NSC) denounced China’s declaration of a so-called “Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve” at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal). “It is patently illegal as it violates UNCLOS, the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, and the 2022 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties,” the NSC said.
The council warned the move was a pretext for occupation, highlighting that Chinese fishermen had already caused “large-scale harvesting of endangered species and reef destruction” in the area. It also backed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ filing of a diplomatic protest against China’s actions.
