The House of Representatives approved the bicameral conference version of the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act on Monday.
Following the Senate’s approval of the bicameral report last week, the House ratified the finalized version of the bill on Monday, and only awaits the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The disagreeing provisions of House Bill 9034 and Senate Bill 2665 led to the establishment of a new bill that asserts the country’s rights as an archipelagic state. It is one of the Legislative-Executive Development Council’s (LEDAC) priority pieces of legislation.
"This legislation is long overdue and one of the most critical measures we have undertaken," Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas said.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino noted that the measure was anchored on the standards of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which gives the Philippines the authority to designate sea lanes and air routes aligned to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the maritime zones.
"By defining our sea lanes, we are asserting our rights as an archipelagic state while also fulfilling our obligations under international law," Tolentino said.
The final version of the bill allows foreign ships and aircraft to pass through the designated sea lanes in the archipelagic waters and air routes, without imposing threat to the country’s security.
