Sen. Loren Legarda
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda on Monday lauded the nation’s new maritime legal guidelines, saying the measures reinforce “the Philippines’s skill to guard its marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, and marine sources.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday signed Republic Act (RA) No. 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and RA No. 12065 or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.
READ: Marcos indicators legal guidelines charting PH maritime zones, sea lanes
“The Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act won’t solely safeguard the integrity of our nationwide territory but additionally strengthen our authorized and environmental frameworks for managing and defending our seas,” Legarda mentioned.
Legarda is the principal creator and co-sponsor of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the co-author and co-sponsor of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.
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READ: Senators hail new PH legal guidelines on maritime zones, archipelagic sea lanes
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She mentioned the Philippine Maritime Zones Act defines the nation’s maritime zones, together with inner waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, unique financial zone, and continental shelf. It can set up a strong authorized framework for the Philippines to say its jurisdiction and sovereign rights over its marine sources and surrounding waters.
She additionally identified that the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which enhances the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, designates particular sea lanes to make sure the swift and uninterrupted passage of international vessels via Philippine waters.
The legislation streamlines world maritime site visitors, enhances nationwide safety, and enforces environmental protections.
It additionally offers a framework for regulating the passage of international ships, lowering dangers like maritime air pollution that may hurt the nation’s marine ecosystems.
“These legal guidelines work hand-in-hand to safe our seas, stop environmental degradation, and foster regional stability, all whereas respecting worldwide conventions like Unclos and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Legarda mentioned.
Legarda additionally referred to as the enactment a pivotal second within the Philippines’s dedication to environmental sustainability, particularly amid the challenges posed by local weather change and rising industrial actions within the nation’s waters.
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“As we transfer ahead, these legal guidelines will solidify our maritime jurisdiction, guarantee environmental sustainability, and defend the sovereignty of our waters for generations to come back,” she added. — Emmanuel John Abris, INQUIRER.web intern
