FIFTEENTH CONGRESS. ) S
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —) 13 AUG ey -
Third Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

6457

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The West Philippine Sea. crossed by some of the world’s busiest sea~
lanes. has rich fishing grounds and is believed to have vast energy reserves,
is home to a myriad of competing territorial claims including those involving
the Spratly islands and the Scarborough Shoal

These islands are being claimed by the Philippines, China, Vietnam.
Brunei. Malaysia and Taiwan as these islands, reefs and coral outcrops are
believed to be rich in oi! and gas and these overlapping claims have long
been feared as Asia's next source of tension which could lead to armed
conflict.

As early as April, 2012, a Philippine Navy surveillance plane spotted
eight Chinese fishing vessels anchored in a lagoon at Scarborough which
prompted the military to deploy its largest warship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar,
which was recently acquired from the United States: and upon boarding the
Chinese fishing vessels for an inspection, Filipino sailors discovered large
amounts of illegally collected coral, giant clams and live sharks inside the first
boat which only shows that the Chinese fishermen had been engaged in
illegal fishing and harvesting of endangered marine species.

This incident brought about the current stand-off between the
Philippines and China in the Scarborough Shoal which is causing increased
tension between the two countries involved


The Philippines relation with China is starting to plunge with both sides
pressing their conflicting claims not only to the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal
but also the Spratly Islands group, And aside from China, we should also be
cautious and be prepared to defend our territory against the claims of other
countries over the islands and areas in the West Philippine Sea.

It is therefore imperative that a government office be created
dedicated exclusively to the West Philippine Sea. It will focus on studying our
claims and propose measures on how to defend and prosecute such claims. It

aril alan nrannse measures on haw we can develop the area and all the
natural resources there for the benefit of our country.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought

sa

RUFUS B, RODRI

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —}
Third Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus 8. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

6457

House Bill No.

AN ACT
CREATING THE CENTER FOR WEST PHILIPPINE SEA STUDIES
ATTACHED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress Assembied

SECTION 1, Dectaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to preserve its
sovereignty over the islands that it owns in the West Philippine Sea and its
territorial sea, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zone and continental
shelf in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea

SEC 2. Creation — There is hereby created a Center for West Philippine Sea
Studies attached to the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Office of
Special and Ocean Concems

SEC 3. Duties and Responsibilities - The Center on the West Philippine Sea
shall have the following duties and responsibilities
a) Study the basis of the claims of the Philippines over the
waters and the islands in the West Philippine Sea under the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,
international law, local laws and historical data,

b) Propose actions and measures in order to defend and
prosecute our claims against claims of other neighboring
countries;

e) Prepare concrete plans on how to develop and fully utilize ail
the natural resources in the area; and

d) Perform such other duties and responsibilities that would
strengthen our sovereignty and other claims over the area

e) Perform other functions as may be directed by the

President of the Philippines in relation to concerns over the
West Philippine Sea

SEC 4. Organizational Structure - The Center for West Philippine Sea
Studies herein created shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary of the
Department of Foreign Affairs. He shall exercise supervision and contro! of
said Center,


The Center on the West Philippine Sea shall prescribe and define its
position structure and staffing pattern subject to existing civil service
laws, rules and regulations. The positions subsequently created herein
shall be filled by the regular appointments. Provided, that appointments
must comply with the qualifications standards set by Civil Service
Commission

SEC 5. Appropriations - The amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50.000,000)
not otherwise appropriated shall be initially appropriated out of the funds
of the National Treasury for the purpose of funding the creation of the Center
on the West Philippine Sea. Subsequent appropriations shall be provided by
Congress in the Annual Budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs under the
General Appropriations Act.

SEC 6. Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act or the application
thereof is declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the same shall
not affect the validity of the other provisions

SEC 7. Repeating Clause — All laws, presidential decrees and issuances,
executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SEC 8. Effectivity Clause - This Act shail take effect fifteen (15) days
following its full publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines, whichever is earlier

Approved,