{"id":411726,"date":"2024-07-12T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=411726"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Marcos-urged-to-declare-July-12-as-West-Philippine-Sea-National-Day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Marcos-urged-to-declare-July-12-as-West-Philippine-Sea-National-Day\/","title":{"rendered":"Marcos urged to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea National Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

On July 12, 2016, the Philippines achieved a historic victory at the Arbitral Tribunal regarding our sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea. This landmark ruling not only affirmed our country\u2019s territorial claims but also served as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Filipino people in defending their sovereignty.<\/p>\n

The National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea, a peaceful, non-partisan and transglobal organization that has been advocating for the preservation of Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity since 2015, sent a letter dated July 8, 2024 to Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and urgently requesting him to declare July 12 as the West Philippine Sea National Day as a symbol of national pride and sovereignty of the Philippines.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn light of this monumental event, we are respectfully requesting your esteemed office to declare July 12 as the \u201cWest Philippine Sea National Day\u201d and designate it as a national holiday. Commemorating this day annually will not only honor our victory but also serves to remind every Filipino of the importance of our territorial integrity and the rich natural resources within our maritime boundaries,\u201d said Dr. Celia Lamkin, founder and global chairperson of the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea.<\/p>\n

Celebrating West Philippine Sea National Day will foster a greater sense of national unity and pride. It will educate citizens about the significance of this ruling and encourage the continuous defense of the country\u2019s territorial and sovereign rights. Moreover, incorporating this important date into the national calendar will solidify the commitment to safeguarding the Philippines\u2019 sovereignty for future generations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis proposal aligns with our ongoing efforts to promote awareness and education about the West Philippine Sea, as highlighted in our proposal for the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea topics in the K to 12 curricula as well as integration of such topics in the post-secondary education courses. These educational initiatives will undoubtedly empower our youth with knowledge about their heritage and the importance of our maritime domains,\u201d added Lamkin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe victory of our West Philippine Sea is the victory of every Filipino,\u201d quoted by Lamkin on July 12, 2016 when the Philippines won at the Arbitral Tribunal against China\u2019s Nine-Dash Line claim in the West Philippine Sea, part of South China Sea.<\/p>\n

Maverick Paul Bersalona, NYMWPS National chair, said \u201cWe are confident that under your leadership, we can continue to uphold and defend the sovereignty of the Philippines and sovereign rights in our West Philippine Sea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lamkin concluded, \u201cBy commemorating July 12 as a national holiday, we celebrate not only a legal triumph, but also our collective strength and unity as a nation.\u201d (PR)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Victory Rally for the Philippines\u2019 victory at the Arbitral Tribunal at The Hague, Netherlands was organized by the National Youth Movement for the West Philippine Sea on July 12, 2016.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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