QUEZON CITY — The inaugural Balangay Forum offers a vital platform for addressing challenges in the Philippines’ maritime domain, including safety, disaster response, and maritime resource protection, according to Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Speaking at the event held at Camp Aguinaldo, Teodoro emphasized the need for collective action in securing the country’s maritime interests.
According to Philippines News Agency, Teodoro underscored the importance of the forum in fostering cooperation on maritime safety and disaster response, pointing to threats such as tsunamis, typhoons, and collisions at sea. He stressed that discussions must go beyond territorial disputes, focusing on how various stakeholders can assist each other during maritime crises. The forum, titled “Safeguarding Philippine Maritime Interests,” was part of the annual Maritime Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), which seeks to promote awareness of maritime and archipelagic concerns. MANAMo was established through Presidential Proclamation 316 in 2017, encouraging both government agencies and the private sector to participate in awareness initiatives.
Teodoro highlighted the need to ensure that all Filipinos, particularly those in coastal regions, are aware of the ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s maritime resources. He called for a stronger political will to secure these resources and for greater public engagement in the issue, emphasizing that the country’s maritime domain extends far beyond the West Philippine Sea.
Teodoro also noted the role of international law and partnerships in safeguarding the country’s maritime assets, calling for a sustainable and legal approach to protecting the nation’s waters for future generations. He concluded by calling for continued cooperation between the private sector, government, and international partners to bolster the country’s maritime security.