By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to “rediscover and reclaim” the nation’s maritime identity, stressing that protecting the seas is central not only to sovereignty but also to the country’s survival and legacy for future generations.
“The celebration of MANA Mo 2025 is a clarion call to rediscover and reclaim our provenance as a seafaring country. As we continue building a Bagong Pilipinas, let us unite our people towards caring for our seas and shores, for we care to protect not only our nation’s sovereignty but also those who will inherit our legacy,” Marcos said in his message for the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) made public Monday.
The President said the Philippines’ destiny has always been tied to the sea, which he described as both a cradle of prosperity and a crucible of conflict throughout history.
“The sea has been both our cradle and our crucible. Every century of our history has been measured by its tides, carrying the seeds of prosperity and the storms of conflict,” he said.
Effective maritime governance, Marcos said, is crucial for harnessing resources, ensuring community safety, and upholding national sovereignty. “In mastering our seas lies the strength of our economy, the safety of our communities, and the dignity of our sovereignty,” he said.
He urged institutions to align science with law, communities to embrace stewardship as identity, and leaders to govern with foresight “beyond their own time.”
The President’s call comes as tensions continue to escalate in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels have intensified their presence within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Manila has repeatedly protested China’s aggressive actions, with lawmakers urging the President to raise the issue at the United Nations General Assembly later this month in line with the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the Philippines. (PNA)
