PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday signed into law two landmark bills defining the country's maritime zones and archipelagic boundaries in a move designed to further strengthen the nation's rights over the West Philippine Sea.<\/p>\r\r
In a ceremony in Malaca\u00f1ang, the President signed Republic Act (RA) 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and RA 12065, or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.<\/p>\r\r
In his speech, Marcos said the two new laws would assert the country's rights as an archipelagic state while fulfilling its obligations under international law.<\/p>\r\r
\"The passage of these two priority bills fully demonstrates our commitment as a responsible member of the international community and our advocacy to uphold rules-based international order,\" Marcos said.<\/p>\r\r
\"In the same breath, these [laws] signal our resolve to protect our maritime resources, preserve our rich biodiversity, and ensure that our waters remain a source of life and livelihood for all Filipinos,\" he added.<\/p>\r\r
With the enactment of RAs 12064 and 12065, \"we align our domestic laws with international law, specifically the UN Conventions on the Law of the Sea or Unclos to improve our capacity for governance and reinforce our maritime policies for economic development and for national security,\" he said.<\/p>\r\r
RA 12064 upholds Philippine sovereignty and jurisdiction over its internal waters, territorial sea archipelagic waters and the airspace over it, as well as its seabed and subsoil.<\/p>\r\r
It covers the contiguous zone of the Philippines, which refers to the waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea up to 24 nautical miles from the baselines, and defines the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the continental shelf and the extended continental shelf that form part of Philippine territory.<\/p>\r\r
Marcos said that with its maritime zones clearly defined, the Philippines could effectively enforce its relevant domestic laws and related international laws to protect and conserve its marine and fish resources, preserve its marine environment, and enhance maritime safety and security.<\/p>\r\r
The Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act complements the Philippine Maritime Zones Act in ensuring the protection of the country's sovereignty and maritime domain by designating the routes and areas through which foreign military vessels and foreign registered aircraft can pass.<\/p>\r\r
