PCOO PR
Manila, Philippines – Even in a time still ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Philippines pushes through with its fourth Maritime Archipelagic and Nation Awareness
Month (MANA Mo) celebration this year with the theme “Awakening a Whole-of-Nation
Consciousness on Philippine Maritime Issues through Online Platforms”.
Pursuant to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Proclamation No. 316 signed in 2017, MANA
Mo shall be observed every September annually in recognition of several maritime-related
celebrations in September such as the “International Coastal Clean-up Day” on the third
Saturday of the month, “National Maritime Day” on the last Friday, and “Fish Conservation
Week” on the third week.
The MANA Mo theme this year emphasizes the need for, among others, a whole-of-nation
effort in raising the Filipino consciousness on the country’s numerous maritime and
archipelagic issues, concerns, policies, and efforts. Due to the pandemic, various online
platforms and the free social media, which are very much accessible to all Filipinos, will be
maximized for the endeavor.
There will also be posting of animated AVPs and sharing of maritime trivia on the National
Coast Watch System’s (NCWS) Official Website and various social media platforms such
as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All Filipino netizens will be encouraged to post
photos on their social media accounts for the whole month of September 2020 celebrating
the beauty and richness of the Philippine marine environment using the main hashtag
#MANAMo2020 and other playful hashtags as #letsSEAthePHtogether, #misSEAngyou
and #SEAyousoon.
The National Coast Watch Council Secretariat will also be featuring two webinars entitled:
(1) “Maritime Law Enforcement vis-à-vis the Philippines as a Maritime and Archipelagic
Nation: The Past, Present, and Future” and (2) “Sustainable Ocean Economy amid the
COVID-19 Pandemic” featuring speakers from key Philippine maritime law enforcement
agencies and the academe. Webinar links for interested viewers will be shared on the
NCWS’ social media accounts.
Other government agencies and non-government entities including universities and local
government units have also expressed their support to MANA Mo-related advocacies and
will be conducting their respective MANA Mo-related activities.
Proclamation No. 316, s. 2017 urges all Government instrumentalities and the private
sector to initiate, support and/or promote activities for the yearly observance of MANA Mo.
About the National Coast Watch System
Established by virtue of Executive Order No. 57, s. 2011, the National Coast Watch
System (NCWS) is the Philippine Government’s central inter-agency mechanism for a
coordinated and coherent approach on various maritime concerns of the country. The
policy-making body of the NCWS, the National Coast Watch Council, was designated
under Proclamation No. 316, s. 2017 to coordinate and consolidate all activities related to
the annual celebration of MANA Mo. Queries regarding the month-long celebration may
be coursed through Ms. Haidee M. Changcoco of the National Coast Watch Council
Secretariat through the contact details provided above.
Official Website : https://ncws.gov.ph/
Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/NCWSPH
Instagram : @ncwsph
Twitter : @NCWSph
