House ratifies PH maritime zones bill

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Tuesday ratified the bicameral conference version of the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which is a priority measure identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

During the plenary session, the chamber ratified the final version that reconciles the disagreeing provisions of House Bill No. 7819 and Senate Bill No. 2492, seeking to define and declare the Philippines' maritime zones in accordance with the standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Senate has already ratified the bicameral conference committee report on Monday.

This means that the priority legislation will be transmitted to Malacañang for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s signature.

The bill aims to clarify the geographical extent of the Philippine maritime domain, and at the same time specify the legal powers that the Philippines may exercise over.

It shall set the archipelagic boundaries, the country's internal waters, and exclusive economic zones over which the Philippine government exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction.

The measure also proposes renaming the Philippine Rise – a 13 million hectare underwater plateau located off Aurora province- into the "Talampas ng Pilipinas". (PNA)