MANILA — On June 21, 2024, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin led the second meeting of the National Maritime Council at Malacañang. The meeting was organized by the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns (POMC) headed by Secretary Andres Centino.
The meeting was held in accordance with the mandates specified in Executive Order No. 57, series of 2024, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in March 2024. The meeting was also called upon in light of the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea.
The EO aims to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security and maritime domain awareness through the enhanced coordination of the National Maritime Council, the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns, the National Maritime Center, and the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea.
Representatives of the twelve Council members attended the meeting, including the Department of National Defense, National Security Council, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Finance, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Transportation, Office of the Solicitor General, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency. The meeting was also attended by the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP IMLOS).
The maritime challenges of the Philippines do not only concern the defense and foreign affairs institutions. They also affect different sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, environment, energy, local governance, transportation, and justice. Therefore, managing maritime concerns requires a comprehensive approach and an effective cooperation among various government agencies.
During the meeting, the members agreed on the Implementing Guidelines for the executive order, which seeks to clarify and streamline the coordination mechanisms of the Council with the Center and the POMC. Furthermore, the UP IMLOS provided a briefing on the maritime zones of the Philippines and discussed implications of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling. They also discussed updates on the West Philippine Sea, including the June 17 rotation and reprovision (RORE) mission in Ayungin Shoal.
The Council recognizes a peaceful, stable, and prosperous West Philippine Sea and South China Sea is still a distant reality. As a result of the meeting, the Council agreed on policy recommendations for the President’s consideration. Among these recommendations, is the announcement of the RORE missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, which shall remain routinary and will be scheduled regularly.
Security challenges remain in Philippine waters beyond the West Philippine Sea. Therefore, policies and strategies must be anchored on promoting the national interests of a maritime and archipelagic country. (PND)
