SAN JUAN, La Union (PIA) – The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Monday, Feb. 12, announced that it will strengthen its efforts to make the public become more aware and knowledgeable about the history and core issues concerning the country’s claim to the West Philippine Sea by reaching out to communities nationwide.

The NTF-WPS has tapped the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) to take the lead in communicating the issues at the grassroots level.

“We used to bring this issue to the attention of the international audience, but we noticed that we also need to bring these issues to local communities,” PIA Assistant Secretary and Deputy Director-General for Regional Operations Ares Gutirrez said in a news conference in La Union which served as the curtain-raiser for the first of a series of strategic communications planning sessions between the NTF-WPS and regional and provincial information officers of the PIA. 

The PIA, which oversees the implementation of the government’s communication and advocacy programs to communities, will also play an important role in this information strategy.

Gutierrez added: “As communicators, we need to understand these issues so we can explain [them] to the barangays and the media, and to answer their questions because the National Security Council, or the Philippine Coast Guard, will not be available all the time.”

National Security Council Assistant Director for Strategic Communications Jonathan Malaya said the NTF-WPS is also working with other government agencies to explain the country’s enhanced National Security Policy.

He said the NTF-WPS is also collaborating with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and explain the Marcos administration’s national security agenda.

“We are also considering holding forums in schools where the NTF-WPS can better explain the Marcos administration’s National Security Policy as well as our strategy in countering disinformation,” Malaya said. 

Malaya added that the national roadshow will also become an avenue to explain the government's position and measures on the West Philippine Sea.

“It is important for the government to have the support of the public. We want to reaffirm and strengthen the support of the public to the government.”

Malaya said discussions on the West Philippine Sea were not spared from the infodemic, as false information on the government’s actions in the territory continued to spread.

“We have to take this opportunity and this occasion to explain to the people our government’s position in the West Philippine Sea, so they can form the right opinion.”

Created in 2016, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea aims to unify government action on the West Philippine Sea issue. It is chaired by the National Security Adviser, with relevant government agencies providing support as undersecretaries. (PB/PIA-4A)