House ratifies archipelagic sea lanes bill; awaits PBBM's signature

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Monday ratified the bicameral conference version of the proposed Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

The measure now only awaits the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following the House's ratification of the conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of HB 9034 and SB 2665, providing for the establishment of archipelagic sea lanes in the Philippine archipelagic waters during the plenary session.

The bill is one of priority pieces of legislation identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Council (LEDAC).

The Senate has already ratified the bicameral report on the measure last week.

Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas highlighted the bill's significance in supporting the 2016 Hague arbitral award favoring the Philippines' case against China's nine-dash line that covers nearly the entire South China Sea.

"This legislation is long overdue and one of the most critical measures we have undertaken," Arenas said.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said the measure is anchored on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which grant archipelagic states like the Philippines the authority to designate specific sea lanes and air routes suitable for the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign vessels and aircrafts.

"By defining our sea lanes, we are asserting our rights as an archipelagic state while also fulfilling our obligations under international law," he said.

Under the bill, foreign ships and aircraft will be allowed to pass through the designated sea lanes in the archipelagic waters and air routes.

The measure also defines the right of innocent passage as the "continuous and expeditious passage of foreign vessels through the territorial sea that is not prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the Philippines." (PNA)