2 hours ago
5
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Pia Lee Brago - The Philippine Star
July 30, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has sought recognition from the United Nations for the country’s entitlement to an extended continental shelf in the West Palawan region in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.
The Philippines delivered the official presentation of its partial submission before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) at UN Headquarters in New York.
Manila underscored the significance of the submission as a demonstration of the Philippines’ steadfast commitment to the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reflecting the country’s trust in a rules-based order in the marine and maritime domain.
“The presentation further underscored that the submission was part of the country’s responsibility to secure a peaceful South China Sea through the rule of law in order to sustain the livelihoods of Filipinos, foster trade, protect marine biodiversity and unite coastal and littoral States,” the DFA said in a statement.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Enrique Manalo headed the Philippine delegation in the presentation submission to the CLCS.
During the presentation, the Philippines requested the commission to consider relevant rulings made by tribunals duly constituted under UNCLOS, such as the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, which have authoritatively determined the maritime entitlements of littoral states in the South China Sea.
The Philippines made its submission pursuant to Article 76 of the UNCLOS, which provides that a coastal state, such as the Philippines, is entitled to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf. This comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas extending beyond 200 nautical miles, but not to exceed 350 NM from the baselines, from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority led the Extended Continental Shelf Technical Working Group in preparing the submission over 15 years.
This is the second time the Philippines has made a submission on an ECS entitlement. In April 2009, the Philippines made a partial submission on the Philippine Rise (formerly Benham Rise), which the CLCS validated in 2012, resulting in an additional 135,506 square kilometers of seabed area for the Philippines.
The Philippines at the time stated that it reserved the right to make submissions in other areas in the future.
Children’s e-book
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched “The Wonderful West Philippine Sea,” the first of its three-part children’s e-book series that introduces young Filipinos to the country’s marine biodiversity and the importance of protecting the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Launched in observance of the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, the series is part of the DENR’s continuing efforts to make marine science, environmental stewardship and environmental education more accessible to children.
The first e-book, “The Wonderful West Philippine Sea with Pawi the Sea Turtle (Pawikan),” follows Pawi, a curious green sea turtle, on a journey through mangroves, seagrass meadows, coral reefs and coastal communities.
Written for children aged six to nine, the illustrated story introduces readers to whale sharks, giant clams, reef fishes and the people working to protect them – from scientists and sustainable fishers to community volunteers and coast guards.
It also explains, in age-appropriate language, how pollution, overfishing and habitat loss threaten marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.
“By meeting Pawi, children learn that protecting the West Philippine Sea also means protecting our food security, livelihoods, biodiversity and shared heritage. We also want them to understand, in simple terms, why the 2016 Arbitral Award matters for our nation and our seas,” Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said.
The e-book features species-spotting activities, coloring pages and a family pledge encouraging simple environmental actions such as reducing single-use plastics, disposing of waste properly, conserving water and joining community clean-up drives.
Two more titles will be released over the next two months.
The second book, scheduled for August, follows Maria and her Lolo as they share stories about the WPS and its importance to the country’s natural heritage.
The final title will be launched in September to coincide with the observance of International Coastal Cleanup Day.
Gibo unaware
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. maintained yesterday that he knows of no such provisional agreement or understanding between the Philippines and China on rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
According to him, conflicting versions and statements on the same seem to show that there is no agreement or understanding at all to speak of.
At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum, Teodoro explained that considering how there appears to be several and contradicting statements about any agreement that Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan claims to have been violated, then “there is no agreement.”
“I don’t think there is one. If there is one, I don’t know,” he stressed.
Jing told reporters last week that the latest confrontation between China Coast Guard personnel and Filipino troops stationed at the Sierra Madre happened because the Philippines violated a provisional agreement.
At the same forum, Teodoro warned of forms of “foreign malign influence” disguised in Chinese business, schools and cultural exchange. – Josiah Antonio, Michael Punongbayan
