The proposed Maritime Zones Bill, which defines the extent of Philippine waters, has been approved by a bicameral conference committee on Wednesday.
Senate Majority Leader Senator Francis Tolentino, the bill's principal author, said the final version of the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act included Palawan and the Philippine Rise.
“Tapos ni-reconcile natin ‘yong provision ng internal waters at archipelagic waters (We also reconciled the provisions on internal waters as well as the archipelagic waters), which is legal and technical. Okay na ngayon. So, for signing na rin ‘yon ni Presidente (It’s okay now and for the President’s signing),” he said in an interview.
The bicameral conference committee discussed the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2492 and House Bill No. 7819, which sought to define the internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones, continental shelves and all other territories under Philippine jurisdiction, as well as the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Tolentino said this is a milestone not only in clarifying the country’s maritime boundaries but also in reaffirming its rights over its waters.
“Maliwanag na ‘yong karapatan natin kung saan ‘yong ating boundary. Maliwanag ‘yon na may batas tayo kung saan tayo puwedeng maglayag at puwedeng mangisda (Our rights and our boundary is now clear there. It is good that we have a law that states where we can sail and fish),” he said.
Tolentino, meanwhile, is not certain if President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. could sign the newly approved bill by Monday but said the Chief Executive can mention it in his State of the Nation Address.
In a previous statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the proposed law is a “crucial step” in putting the country’s “archipelagic house in order" and in harmonizing domestic law with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Once enacted, the measure is expected to declare the country’s maritime zones based on the standards set by the UNCLOS and eventually the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, which itself was also based on UNCLOS.
Tolentino was joined by Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in representing the Senate contingent during the bicameral conference meeting.
The House panel, meanwhile, was represented by Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas, Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Francisco Benitez and Rizal 2nd District Rep. Emigdio Tanjuatco III. (PNA)
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