By: Aliahcorr Balanon
Photo from HeraldExpress
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) has announced on Wednesday, Sept. 10, that the Department of Education (DepEd) will include the topic of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) within the Araling Panlipunan curriculum under Grades 4, 6, and 10 that will take effect in the beginning of the school year 2026.
“This landmark move aims to instill a deeper appreciation for our maritime heritage, educating students on our sovereign rights and territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea,” PIA said.
Under the updated curriculum, it will be carried out in collaboration with the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
WPS has been a contentious issue between the Philippines and China due to the overlapping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea primarily over the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In 2016, an international tribunal ruling invalidated China's ‘nine-dash line’ by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Despite the ruling, China continued to assert claims through its aggressive actions in sea, building artificial islands and conducting aggressive maneuvers, maintaining high tensions over the area’s rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves.
Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) condemned China’s declaration of a so-called ”Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve” at Bajo de Masinloc, also known as the Scarborough Shoal.
In a statement, NSC said that the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, and the 2022 Declaration in the Conduct of Parties is patently illegal as it violates UNCLOS.
Additionally, NSC emphasizes that China’s move was intended to justify its control of the maritime feature that lies within the Philippines’ EEZ.
“The irony is clear: since 2016, evidence has shown large-scale harvesting of endangered species and reef destruction by Chinese fishermen, activities even cited by the Arbitral Tribunal,” the agency said.
NSC also reiterated its support for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in filing a formal diplomatic protest against China's illegal act.