House OKs on 2nd reading bill seeking to declare Philippine maritime zones

The House of Representatives approved on second reading the measure seeking to declare the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines.

In a voice vote, House Bill 9981 was approved by the chamber during the plenary session on Monday. According to Palawan Representative Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar, the measure aims to promote territorial integrity and improve maritime governance and law enforcement.

The bill aims to declare the maritime zones of the Philippines in order to establish the legal bases by which social, economic, commercial, and other activities may be conducted.

The measure defines maritime zones of the Philippines as those that comprise the internal waters, the archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf.

According to the bill, all territories of the Philippines shall generate their respective maritime zones in accordance with international law.

The bill claims the maximum extent of territorial sea (12 nautical miles), contiguous zone (24 nautical miles), EEZ (200 nautical miles), and continental shelf (200 nautical miles).

This further establishes the country's exclusive rights to explore and exploit living and non-living resources found in these zones, in accordance with UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties.

For the part of the Senate, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III has said the committee on foreign relations will conduct an inquiry into a proposed law that seeks to declare the country's maritime zones amid China's incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

Senate Bill 2289, introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, aims to identify maritime zones, archipelagic waters, and territorial zones of the country.—AOL, GMA News