Marking the 10th anniversary of the Arbitral Award, the Cebu Provincial Board adopted a resolution on July 12, 2026, reaffirming the Philippines' sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. Authored by Board Member Antonio Bacaltos Jr., the resolution commemorates the Philippines' historic victory under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and affirms the province's commitment to uphold the country's claim.
Call for Local Government Action
Bacaltos Jr. called on local government units to "actively formulate local policies, maritime law enforcement programs, and specialized socio-economic safety nets" to protect the welfare of local fishermen. He emphasized that Cebu's fishing industry remains vulnerable to external maritime disruptions and urged the development of cold chain facilities and regional infrastructure, including the People's Food Centers in Carcar City and the Municipality of Medellin, as well as a proposed food hub in Naga City, to shield farmers and fisherfolk from market disruptions.
Batanes Claims Condemned
During an academic symposium at Jinan University in Guangzhou on June 30, Chinese scholars claimed that Batanes is part of China's territory. According to a BusinessMirror report published July 9, Ju Hailong, dean of Jinan University's School of International Studies, said the Batanes islands are a natural geographical extension of Taiwan. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines condemned the claim in a statement issued July 10, stating: "Current satellite and oceanographic data by the Philippines and other nations clearly show a continuous shelf extending from Northern Luzon through the Babuyan & Batanes Islands," underscoring that the country has a stronger claim over the territories.
The commission added: "We also call on all parties, especially reputable academic institutions, to be true researchers and academics. Knowledge can only be true if grounded on good faith. No amount of fabrication will erase the truths of our past."
Arbitral Award Background
The Arbitral Tribunal unanimously ruled in favor of the Philippines on July 12, 2016, invalidating China's expansive "nine-dash line" claim in the West Philippine Sea. The Cebu resolution reaffirms the province's support for this ruling and seeks to strengthen food security in Cebu amid ongoing maritime tensions.
