National Maritime Council

30/09/2026

The National Maritime Center (NM Center), in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), convened the Advancing Governance Over the Seas (AGOS) Forum 2026 on 29 September 2026 at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

With the theme “Strengthening Maritime Security, Governance, and Interagency Action,” the forum brings together government agencies and maritime stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, exchange insights, and advance coordinated action in addressing shared challenges in the country’s maritime domain.

See this video for the highlights of Day 1 of the AGOS Forum 2026.

24/09/2026

✨💙💙💙✨

The Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns, and the Office of the Spokesperson for the National Maritime Council wears blue today for Blue Day Thursday!

20/09/2026

🌊DID YOU KNOW?

Despite China's formal stance of non-participation and its consistent, explicit rejection of both the Arbitration and its Awards, the proceedings moved forward in accordance with the rule on non-appearing parties. The Tribunal issued two rulings—the award on jurisdiction and admissibility in 2015 and the award on the merits in 2016—both in favor of the Philippines.

Want to learn more? Explore the updated West Philippine Sea Primer (2026), where this information was sourced.

Source: https://law.upd.edu.ph/institute-for-maritime-affairs-and-law-of-the-sea/

19/09/2026

⛵️ DID YOU KNOW?

The Philippines is one of the 157 states that originally signed the treaty, and a part of 172 parties that have ratified or acceded to UNCLOS.

Want to learn more? Explore the updated West Philippine Sea Primer (2026), where this information was sourced.

Source: https://law.upd.edu.ph/institute-for-maritime-affairs-and-law-of-the-sea/

19/09/2026

NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT INVOLVING BRP DATU MAGAT SALAMAT

19 September 2026 | Manila, Philippines

The National Maritime Council (NMC) expresses its serious concern on the 18 September 2026 incident involving the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Datu Magat Salamat (MMOV 3015), and China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, CCG 21585, as reported by the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS). The incident occurred while the BFAR vessel was undertaking a government fuel assistance mission for Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.

The NMC is particularly concerned that the illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous actions of the CCG vessel placed the civilian crew of the BFAR vessel at unnecessary risk while carrying out a legitimate livelihood-support mission.

The NMC underscores that safety of life at sea must always come first. All vessels operating in the area are expected to exercise maximum restraint, professional seamanship, and due regard for applicable international maritime safety rules.

The NMC supports the coordinated response by the NTF-WPS, particularly the Philippine Coast Guard, BFAR and other concerned member agencies, in ensuring the safety of the vessel and its crew and the continued delivery of assistance to Filipino fisherfolk.

The Philippines will continue to exercise its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone consistent with UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award, while pursuing a peaceful and rules-based approach to maritime differences.

Our seas are part of our national identity and patrimony. We will continue to support our fisherfolk and government personnel who serve the country at sea, and we will remain steadfast in upholding our lawful rights and national interests in our maritime domain with courage, unity and respect for the rule of law. (END)

X: https://x.com/NMCPhil/status/2101108618741658034?s=20

18/09/2026

The Philippines is an archipelagic nation whose communities, livelihoods, ecosystems, and economy are closely connected to the sea.

Observed every September under Presidential Proclamation No. 316, s. 2017, the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) promotes greater awareness of the country’s maritime and archipelagic character and the importance of protecting our maritime resources.

For climate action, healthy seas and resilient coastal communities are essential. Protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening climate resilience are part of building a safer and more sustainable future for our island communities.

This MANA Mo, let us deepen our appreciation of the seas that connect our islands and strengthen our commitment to protecting them for present and future generations.



Loren Legarda
PTV
Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines
Department of Transportation - Philippines
Philippine Coast Guard
Philippine Ports Authority
Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns
Marine Environmental Protection Command
National Maritime Council
Department of Migrant Workers

16/09/2026

🌊DID YOU KNOW?

The South China Sea is the much broader expanse of water, often described as a semi-enclosed sea. It “lies to the south of China; to the west of the Philippines; to the east of Viet Nam; and to the north of Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and Indonesia.”

Want to learn more? Explore the updated West Philippine Sea Primer (2026), where this information was sourced.

Source: https://law.upd.edu.ph/institute-for-maritime-affairs-and-law-of-the-sea/

16/09/2026

📢𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝! 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏.
For new participants follow this link for more information and registration: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19iUvfi1LF/

❗For those who have already submitted their entries, you may continue to work on your illustrations and submit an updated version through the same email thread from your original submission. Make sure to properly label your updated works as "name/title version 2"

📢𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝! 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏.

For new participants follow this link for more information and registration: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19iUvfi1LF/

❗For those who have already submitted their entries, you may continue to work on your illustrations and submit an updated version through the same email thread from your original submission. Make sure to properly label your updated works as "name/title version 2"

15/09/2026

🏝DID YOU KNOW?
The Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) is a group of over fifty features and their surrounding waters that belong to the Philippines, located in what is internationally known as the Spratly Islands. The KIG is not the same as the Spratlys, however, as there are features in the Spratlys that are not part of the KIG.

Want to learn more? Explore the updated West Philippine Sea Primer (2026), where this information was sourced.

Source: https://law.upd.edu.ph/institute-for-maritime-affairs-and-law-of-the-sea/