By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a move to assert sovereignty over the hotly contested islands and features in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 111 which calls for a stronger administration and governance in Palawan and its environs.
Executive Order No. 57, the National Maritime Council (NMC) is tasked with adopting a standard set of Philippine names for 131 features of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) located in the namesake municipality in Palawan and the WPS.
This initiative is touted by the NMC as pivotal in ensuring more efficient governance and to further safeguard the area from threats posed by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels.
President Marcos Jr. earlier signed Republic Act No. 12064 (Philippine Maritime Zones Act) and Republic Act No. 12065 (Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act) in November 2024, which define the Luzon Sea, territorial waters of Bajo de Masinloc, and maritime features of the KIG as part of the West Philippine Sea.
The EO also directed the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) to produce and publish updated charts and maps that reflect the names set forth in the issuance.
It likewise directed all national government agencies, instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions, to use the names outlined in the EO in all official communications, messages, and documents.
The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other educational institutions were also encouraged to adopt these names in educational materials, textbooks, academic curricula, and research papers.
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