Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns

🇵🇭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐉𝐫. 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟏𝟑𝟏 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬

On March 26, 2026, President Marcos Jr. approves the recommendation of the National Maritime Council to adopt local names for 131 maritime features in the Kalayaan Group of Islands. This reinforces the Philippine government’s efficient administration and governance in the area, and in exercising sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.

Read the full Executive Order No. 111, series 2026 through the link found in the comment section.

Together, let’s continue working towards stronger interagency approaches in governing our maritime nation.🌊

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON RECENT AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS ACTIONS BY CHINESE MARITIME FORCES IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Manila, Philippines | April 2, 2026

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL ON RECENT AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS ACTIONS BY CHINESE MARITIME FORCES IN THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Manila, Philippines | April 2, 2026

The National Maritime Council (NMC) strongly condemns the recent aggressive and dangerous actions by the China Coast Guard, the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the Chinese Maritime Militia, and other Chinese maritime forces against Philippine vessels, aircraft, and Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea. These unlawful acts endanger lives, violate international law, and undermine regional peace and stability.

On 7 March, a PLAN vessel directed its fire-control radar at BRP Miguel Malvar near Escoda Shoal during a lawful patrol, an act constituting a threat of force.

On 17 March, Filipino fisherfolk at Bajo de Masinloc were harassed by Chinese vessels through dangerous maneuvers, sirens, and RHIB deployment, interfering with their lawful fishing activities.

On 20 March, a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft conducting a routine maritime patrol over the Kalayaan Island Group was met with flares near Panganiban Reef, endangering aviation safety. Also, on the same day, a BFAR vessel was subjected to a dangerous maneuver by a CCG vessel at Paredes Reef (Discovery Great Reef).

On 26 March, a Philippine navy vessel avoided collision after a PLAN vessel executed an unsafe maneuver near Pag-asa Island, in violation of COLREGs.

These incidents occurred in areas where the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. Philippine operations in these areas are lawful and consistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. On the other hand, the activities of China in these areas are inconsistent with international law and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

The Philippine Coast Guard, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and relevant maritime agencies remain firm in safeguarding Filipino fisherfolk and upholding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines will undertake appropriate diplomatic actions and engage existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms towards addressing these incidents and concerns. The country also reiterates its call on China to withdraw and direct its vessels and maritime assets to cease and desist from illegal, provocative, and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels, and to stop activities that violate Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction; and to comply with its obligations under international law.

The National Maritime Council reaffirms its commitment to a peaceful, lawful, and principled approach in protecting the nation’s maritime interests in the West Philippine Sea. (END)

✨🌊Today marks two years since the publication of Executive Order No. 57 s.2024 "𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬."

Through the EO 57, s. 2024, the National Coast Watch Council was reorganized into the National Maritime Council, composed of cabinet secretaries from different sectors, to address the country’s many maritime security issues through a coordinated inter-agency approach. As secretariat to the Council, the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns (POMC) provides consultative, research, administrative, and technical support to the Council to ensure the effective implementation of its policies.

To bolster our maritime domain awareness, EO 57 also reinvigorated the National Maritime Center for the implementation and coordination of maritime security operations, in accordance with the strategic direction and policy guidance issued by the Council.

Since 2024, these entities have been working together towards securing our waters through a coordinated and whole-of-government approach.

The Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns joins the celebration of World Water Day 2026. With the continued rise in demand for potable water, especially in vulnerable communities, we firmly support efforts for inclusive and science-based strategies in addressing water gaps.

This year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources launched the “Wag Pataksaya” water campaign, which urges for the mindful use of water in all communities.

Learn more about the campaign and the celebration of World Water Day 2026 in the Philippines by visiting the DENR page. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CTxJeEyJQ/

Together, let us do our part in conserving water as we stand by equality in accessibility to this vital resource.

The Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns joins the celebration of National Women’s Month 2026 by echoing the importance of an inclusive, safe, and empowering environment for all women. It is through respecting their roles and providing equal opportunities that our maritime nation will thrive and remain resilient.

With the theme “𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬!” this year’s celebration champions a Bagong Pilipinas and a resilient ASEAN where equality is practiced, inclusivity is sustained, and every woman’s contribution strengthens communities, institutions, the nation, and the region.

Together, let us uplift every Filipina to reach their full potential and contribute to a progressive and transformative society.

Patapos na ang Valentine's Day, pero mahal kita everyday.

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The Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns joins the national celebration of World Wetlands Day 2026 with the theme “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage.”

As a maritime nation, the Philippines is composed of over 300 wetlands, serving as a rich ecosystem of marine biodiversity, with some spanning inland areas to the open sea, such as mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds.

This unique ecosystem has shaped the culture and way of living of Filipinos, most especially those living in coastal areas, making wetlands a significant part of our maritime heritage.

However, with the continued impacts of climate change and destructive maritime practices, protecting wetlands means protecting future generations whose lives will depend on the economic, biological, and cultural importance of this marine ecosystem.

As a Filipino SEAtizen, let’s all take part in the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of wetlands in the country.

Learn more about wetlands and the celebration of National Wetlands Day: DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau