Senator Erwin Tulfo has filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1625, or the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Education Act, mandating the inclusion of WPS topics in basic and higher education curricula following the water cannon attack at Escoda Shoal that injured Filipino fisherfolk.
According to Tulfo, educating Filipinos with accurate, evidence-based information will strengthen national unity and empower citizens to defend the country’s maritime rights.
“We cannot be idle while our fellowmen guarding the WPS, especially our fisherfolk, continue to be hurt. We have to be informed about our rights and the policies that must be complied with. What’s ours is ours,” he said.
SBN 1625 directs the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, in coordination with agencies such as National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the National Security Council, the Department of Foreign Affairs to develop standardized learning materials, train teachers, and provide accessible digital and community-based resources.
It also calls for a nationwide information campaign and research to boost public awareness of Philippine maritime rights, marine ecosystem protection, and informed discourse on WPS issues.IMT
