A group of advocates actively campaigning for the country’s territorial and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea conducted a forum to raise the youth’s awareness on the issues of WPS last Monday, August 26.
The forum which was initiated by Sulong West Philippine Sea Movement together with Mata ng Bayan in cooperation with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Puerto Princesa City and the City Youth Development Office (CYDO).
Kalayaan town Sangguniang Bayan member Maurice Philip Alexis Albayda, a co-convenor of Sulong WPS Movement explained that the activityy was held as part of the celebration of the Puerto Princesa Youth Festival where they were tapped by the CYDO to organize the forum.
“This is a partnership, a brand that we would like to offer in collaboration with government agencies. Tha’s basically how we do the ground work and shall we say multiply the effects of the information and education campaign especialy for the youth,” Albayda explained.
He also emphasized the importance of having the right knowledge about WPS saying it is the future of the Filipinos.
“Regardless of its proximity, gaano man ito kalayo sa atin, tayo ay maaapektuhan bilang Pilipino,” Albayda said.
He also said today’s youth is lucky to have had such information and knowledge regarding WPS, compared to eight years ago.
“Eight years ago, hindi ganoon kalakas yung sigaw noon para sa WPS. I remember posting in Facebook, ang nilagay ko doon – nakakahiya dahil wala siyang concern sa WPS. Na-troll ako hanggang sa nakatanggap ako ng hate messages,” he stated.
Albayda likewise encouraged the youth participants of the forum not to lose focus and not to get tired of what they are fighting for, saying that if someone opposes, it means they are doing something right.
“Can you imagine that, just for asserting your right as a youth, as a Filipino, it means tama ang ginagawa mo,” he said.
“Huwag kayong panghinaan na minsan, kapit-bahay nyo, uncle or auntie nyo yung mag-discourage sa inyo dahil ang mahalaga sa lahat ay kung ano ang isinisigaw ng puso niyo,” he added.
He also appealed to them to enrich their love for the country and stand for what is right regarding WPS.
He said that unlike before when it seems hard to find where to fit for the commitment for WPS, right now, the issue is being taken seriously.
Former Palawan 2nd District Representative Cyril Abueg-Zaldivar meanwhile discussed the basic concepts on how West Philippine Sea was created including the territorial boundaries such as the territorial waters, exclusive economic zone, continental shelf and extended continental shelf.
Sulong WPS co-convenors Francis Polizon and David Dwine Dalag also discussed the importance of awareness and having the right informations to battle misinformations and disinformations regarding WPS and the need for youth organizations in Palawan to collaborate for a common and integrated WSP narratives.
