Bill declaring Philippines’ maritime zones gets House’s nod

A measure seeking to declare the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines was approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives.

With 189 affirmative votes, House Bill 9981 was approved by the chamber during the plenary session on Monday. The proposed law aims to promote territorial integrity and improve maritime governance and law enforcement.

The bill 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.

It seeks 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.

Zamboanga Sibugay 2nd District Representative Ann Hofer, principal author of the bill, lauded the bill's approval on final reading.

Hofer emphasized that taken together with the bill on the Archipelagic Sea Lanes, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act brings to realization the other half of said twin measures which will complete the Philippines’ archipelagic house.

"The approval of HB 9981 marks an important step towards consolidating our maritime jurisdiction as declared in the historic Arbitral Award," Hofer said.

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. — BM, GMA News