Philippines’ landmark arbitral victory in the West Philippine Sea. —JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT
BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong has approved a City Council resolution declaring July 12 of every year as West Philippine Sea (WPS) Awareness Day in Baguio City, in support of national efforts to raise public awareness of the country’s maritime rights.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Baguio City Public Information Office (PIO) said City Council Resolution No. 546, series of 2026, expresses the city’s support for the nationwide commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 Arbitral Award and institutionalizes the annual observance in the city.
The resolution provides that the observance will focus on information, education, and civic activities and will not be considered a special working or non-working holiday.
READ: AFP urges more LGUs to declare July 12 ‘West PH Sea Victory Day’
Under the measure, the city government is encouraged to hold annual activities such as flag-raising ceremonies featuring official messages, public forums and symposiums with schools and civil society organizations, and the dissemination of information materials in public places and through official city platforms.
The resolution also authorizes coordination with the National Maritime Council and other concerned government agencies to obtain official communication materials, resource speakers, and activity guides to align local activities with the national awareness campaign.
According to the city council, funding for the annual observance will be subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws and regulations.
The resolution was unanimously adopted during the City Council’s regular session on June 22.
The annual observance will mark the anniversary of the July 12, 2016 arbitral ruling. The ruling resolved the country’s dispute with China by invalidating its sweeping “nine-dash line” claims in the South China Sea, and asserting the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Maureen Matayew/Contributor/coa
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