A bill filed in the House of Representatives seeks to make West Philippine Sea education part of the curriculum in basic education schools, colleges, and universities across the country.
House Bill No. 10587, or the proposed “West Philippine Sea Education Act,” would require age-appropriate lessons on the Philippines’ maritime rights, territorial claims, and national interests.
The lessons would be based on the 1987 Constitution, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea.
Deputy Speakers Francisco Paolo Ortega of La Union and Jefferson Khonghun of Zambales filed the measure on Tuesday with Representatives Ziaur-Rahman “Zia” Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, Ramon Rodrigo “Rodge” Gutierrez of 1-Rider Party-list and Ernesto Dionisio Jr. of Manila.
The lawmakers said students should be given factual information about the country’s maritime rights amid false information and pro-China narratives circulating online.
“Filipino students must learn the facts—that we are advocating for a rules-based international order, and that the West Philippine Sea is rightfully ours,” they said in a joint statement Thursday.
“Our young people are vulnerable to fake news and propaganda flooding social media. We have a duty to teach them the truth so they grow up armed with accurate, evidence-based knowledge of our sovereign rights and entitlements,” they added.
The lawmakers said the measure had become more urgent because of continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea and the spread of narratives that support China’s position.
They also criticized public officials who defend China despite its use of water cannons against Philippine personnel and Filipino fisherfolk.
“This cannot continue. Naniniwala kami na dapat lahat ng Pilipino—lalong lalo na ang mga halal ng bayan—ay hindi dapat maging traydor. Dapat tayo ay manindigan kung ano ang sa atin,” the group said.
They added: “Para hindi lumaki na traydor sa bayan, dapat simulan natin ngayon sa ating mga paaralan ang pagtuturo ng katotohanan tungkol sa West Philippine Sea.”
Under the bill, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education would prepare standardized learning materials and update them regularly.
The two agencies would work with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, National Security Council, Department of Foreign Affairs, National Maritime Council, Philippine Coast Guard and other government offices.
The proposed program would also cover teacher training, nationwide information campaigns and research on maritime security, marine biodiversity, Philippine maritime claims and the conditions of coastal communities.
HB 10587 requires the lessons to remain nonpartisan and based on official government maps and policies, internationally recognized facts and peaceful means of resolving disputes.
