By HENRY EMPEÑO | July 23, 2026

IBA, Zambales — Officials of 10 coastal provinces bordering the West Philippines Sea (WPS) pledged on Thursday, July 23, to work together to uphold Philippine sovereignty and protect maritime rights in the area to maintain peace, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.

In a manifesto committing unity for the WPS, representatives of the 10 frontline WPS provinces recognized that the WPS is an integral part of the country’s national territory and affirmed that protecting the WPS is a shared responsibility of the national government and every Filipino.

They also called for science-based decision making, environmental protection, and responsible governance to ensure the sustainable development of the WPS.

The unity manifesto was signed in the presence of Secretary Jonvic Remulla of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in a ceremony at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal ruling.

The ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague on July 12, 2016, affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the 200-nautical mile limits of its exclusive economic zone, and invalidated China’s nine-dash-line claim.

Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., La Union Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, Ilocos Norte Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Batanes Gov. Ronald P. Aguto Jr., Bataan Board Member Romano Del Rosario ng Bataan, Kalayaan Islands Vice Mayor Maurice Philip Albayda, Occidental Mindoro Vice Gov. Dianna Abigo Payag, and Batangas Provincial Environment Officer Marivic Esmas signed the WPS unity manifesto.

Under the manifesto, the 10 provincial government units pledged to promote protection and stewardship of the WPS; participate in national and local programs for sustainable management of the WPS, and support programs on science, research, and public education; and encourage LGUs, schools, organizations, and communities to be active participants in marine protection and biodiversity conservation.

The provincial governments also vowed to conduct responsible and fact-based public awareness campaign on the importance of the WPS to the economy, food security, and national development; and to work together to strengthen initiatives that promote environmental governance and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

In the same occasion, Sec. Remulla stressed that unity is the key to sustaining the WPS and in defending sovereignty and maritime rights granted by the 2016 arbitral ruling.

Remulla was joined in the ceremony by DILG Assistant Secretary Lilian M. De Leon, National Security Council Assistant Director General Francis Jude S. Lauengco, Agriculture Assistant Secretary James A. Layug, and Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Laurence E. Mina.

The signing of the WPS manifesto was part of DILG’s thrust to strengthen the role of local government units in safeguarding the WPS amid increasing intrusion by Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels inside the 200-nautical mile limit of the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

DILG said it aims to help LGUs establish permanent local governance mechanisms to support marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and the country’s maritime interests.

The program has reportedly resulted in the creation of West Philippine Sea Councils in Palawan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Bataan, Zambales, and Occidental Mindoro.

The DILG also said earlier that it is working with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Institute of Environmental Governance, Tanggol Kalikasan, and provincial governments to strengthen local institutions and expand partnerships supporting marine conservation and sustainable coastal development. ▲

COVER PHOTO: Provincial officials take a united stand in their commitment to uphold sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (from right): Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Batanes Gov. Ronald P. Aguto Jr., Ilocos Norte Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, La Union Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, and Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III (left).