Provincial Council Approves New West Philippine Sea Code

According to PNA, a provincial council established an official code and a three-year strategy to manage coastal resources, enforce fishery regulations, and safeguard marine environments.

In La Union, Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega approved the initiative, which also designates July 12 as the annual West Philippine Sea Day to commemorate the 2016 arbitration victory.

The West Philippine Sea Code of 2026, rooted in Provincial Ordinance 477-2025, sets up a permanent governing body aimed at protecting natural resources and supporting local fishing communities. Board Member Eulogio Clarence Martin De Guzman III emphasized that the council focuses on environmental preservation alongside territorial integrity.

The governing body is chaired by Governor Ortega and includes local mayors, barangay leaders, national agency directors, civil society groups, and academic representatives. The framework covers 12 coastal towns and cities: San Fernando City, Rosario, Santo Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Bauang, San Juan, Bacnotan, Bangar, Balaoan, and Luna.

The three-year action plan includes several core objectives:

• Updating and aligning local fishery regulations
• Preventing illegal quarrying in coastal zones
• Identifying safe relocation sites for informal coastal residents
• Reorganizing the Provincial La Union Baywatch Task Force
• Strengthening support and resources for local fisherfolk associations

Environmental Planner Annalyn Rosario-Valdez stated that technical working groups are visiting coastal communities to gather local concerns and integrate them into official provincial programs. Officials presented the measures during a regional marine summit in Pangasinan, marking the tenth anniversary of the South China Sea arbitral award.

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SOURCE: PNA