DILG: Strong LGUs key to safeguarding the West Philippine Sea
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday underscored the vital role of local government units (LGUs) in supporting the country’s efforts in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as it led the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Speaking during the event, DILG Assistant Secretary for International Relations Lilian M. De Leon emphasized that the West Philippine Sea is not solely a matter of maritime security or foreign affairs, but also one of effective local governance that strengthens coastal communities and advances national interests.
“Bakit importante ang role ng LGUs sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea? Madalas kasi ang naiisip po natin kapag WPS, tungkol lang sa maritime security o foreign affairs. Pero, in reality, malaking bahagi po dito ang local governance,” De Leon said.
“Sila, kasama tayo, ang magpoprotekta sa WPS while promoting sustainable development,” she added.
De Leon highlighted the Department’s “Bayanihang Adhikain, Bayaning Aksyon Para sa Kanlurang Dagat ng Pilipinas” program, which empowers LGUs to take greater ownership of West Philippine Sea initiatives by helping frontline coastal provinces validate, enhance, and implement localized action plans that promote maritime governance, environmental protection, food security, and inclusive economic growth.
To date, eight of the ten frontline coastal provinces have completed their provincial caravans: Palawan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Zambales, Pangasinan, Occidental Mindoro, and Bataan. Preparatory activities are also underway in Batangas and Batanes.
Beyond the caravans, De Leon said the initiative has strengthened institutional mechanisms at the local level, with eight provinces establishing their respective West Philippine Sea Councils through ordinances, executive orders, and resolutions to ensure continuity, accountability, and sustainability of their programs.
“Hindi natatapos ang inisyatibo pagkatapos lamang ng caravan. Nagkakaroon tayo ng institutionalized governance mechanisms na magtitiyak ng continuity, accountability, at sustainability ng mga programa ng bawat probinsya,” she said.
As part of the commemoration, the DILG conferred Plaques of Recognition on the ten frontline coastal provinces in recognition of their sustained commitment to advancing good local governance and supporting initiatives related to the West Philippine Sea.
De Leon also expressed the Department’s gratitude to its partner agencies and organizations, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Tanggol Kalikasan, the Institute of Environmental Governance, and other stakeholders, for their continued collaboration in promoting sustainable and rules-based initiatives for the West Philippine Sea.
The commemoration reaffirmed the government’s commitment, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to upholding the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea through peaceful, lawful, and whole-of-government efforts while protecting the welfare of coastal communities that depend on the country’s marine resources.