DFA endorses Philippine names for 131 Spratly features

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June 28, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo signed yesterday a National Maritime Council (NMC) initiative that seeks to name some 131 features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a post on X and one of his last acts as department head, Manalo said NMC Resolution No. 002 recommends the adoption of the standard set of Philippine names for unnamed features belonging to the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), part of the Spratlys archipelago. 

While further information is yet to be released on the details of the initiative, the naming of features in the WPS is expected to include sandbars, reefs and other similar features.

In 2020, the town of Kalaya-an in Palawan started naming at least six features in the KIG in a move to assert Philippine sovereignty in areas where China continues to make expansive maritime claims inside the country’s exclusive economic zone and despite the 2016 Arbitral Award rejecting the same.

The municipality passed an ordinance that named six sandbars and coral reefs as Pag-asa Cays 1, 2, 3 and 4 from nearest to farthest while the reefs were Pag-asa Reefs 1 and 2.

Local officials derived the names from Pag-asa island, the nearest feature to the cays and reefs and the town’s seat of government. 

President Marcos created the NMC in 2024 through Executive Order No. 57 renaming and reorganizing the former National Coast Watch Council. 

Chaired by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, its members include the secretaries of defense, agriculture, energy, environment, the DFA and the National Security Adviser.