THE House of Representatives approved House Bill (HB) No. 7819, also known as the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act, with a unanimous vote of 284-0, said Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
In a press statement Monday, the bill’s primary author by Rodriguez introduced it to enable the Philippines to establish legal bases for conducting social, economic, commercial, and other activities in the maritime zones.
The proposed maritime zones under the bill will include six categories: (1) internal waters, (2) archipelagic waters, (3) territorial sea, (4) contiguous zone, (5) exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and (6) continental shelf.
The bill defines the maximum extent of each zone, such as the territorial sea (12 nautical miles), contiguous zone (24 nautical miles), EEZ (200 nautical miles), and continental shelf (200 nautical miles).
Rodriguez explained that the Philippines is a signatory to the 1983 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which recognizes various maritime zones and coastal states’ jurisdiction.
Earlier, Rodriguez even introduced Bill No. 6156 in February 2021, which called on the House to pass a bill defining the Philippines’ maritime areas and territory.
The purpose of this bill was to draw China’s attention to the delineation of these areas.
Rodriguez also then highlighted that the Philippines has signed and ratified the 1983 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This means that the country acknowledges the creation of diverse maritime zones and the authority of coastal nations, including its own, over these areas.
“Thus, the country exercises sovereignty over its internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea and airspace over it, as well as its seabed and subsoil in accordance with UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties,” he said.
Additionally, he maintained that the Philippines has sovereign rights over its contiguous zone, EEZ, and continental shelf, including the right to explore and exploit living and non-living resources.
Rodriguez’s proposed definition of the country’s maritime territory includes the Chinese-occupied Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, which is within the Philippine 200-mile exclusive economic zone and a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos.
Rodriguez emphasized the importance of safeguarding the country’s maritime zones, especially during the 125th Independence Day celebration, to prevent any encroachment on Philippine territory.
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