- Iloilo Board Member Rolando Distura filed a resolution urging DepEd to include lessons on the West Philippine Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling in the basic education curriculum.
- The move aims to promote maritime awareness, national consciousness, and counter misinformation about territorial claims spread on social media.
- The proposal emphasizes educating youth on Philippine sovereignty and rights over the West Philippine Sea, reinforcing patriotism and historical literacy.
Iloilo Provincial Board Member Rolando Distura (4th District) is calling for the integration of lessons on the West Philippine Sea in the curriculum of basic education to instill national consciousness, counter false information and uphold the country's maritime rights.
Distura submitted a resolution in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session, calling on the Department of Education Schools Division of Iloilo to integrate in classroom teaching the historical background of the West Philippine Sea and the 2016 arbitral decision under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He cited the significance of the West Philippine Sea as a critical component of the Philippines' sea territory. Distura likewise emphasized the necessity for educational materials reinforcing national sovereignty and safeguarding the rights of Filipino fishermen in the area.
The resolution proposed cites the Permanent Court of Arbitration's July 12, 2016, ruling, which reaffirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone and dismissed China's massive claims over the territory.
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Distura noted that, although the ruling is important and the West Philippine Sea is geopolitically important, the subject remains de-emphasized in the basic education curriculum.
"There is an urgent need to promote national consciousness, maritime awareness and historical literacy among Filipino youth and students through appropriate education on the West Philippine Sea and its legal bases", he said.
He further said the resolution also aims to encourage patriotism and responsibility among the younger generation to assist in the defense of Philippine sovereignty. Distura also expressed concern over the incorrect information on claims to territoriality making the rounds in social media.
"The China narrative is quite strong, and a lot of misinformation is making the rounds in platforms like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram," he said.
He advocated provincial board action together to provide the Ilonggo youth with correct information regarding their maritime rights, as some Filipino bloggers and journalists have also adopted China's version.
"These are warning signs, and we should address them through education", Distura said. The resolution has been sent to the Committee on Education for consideration.
