PCG SAN FRANCISCO OBSERVES THE MARITIME AND ARCHIPELAGIC NATION AWARENESS MONTH WITH A FORUM ON THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer giving his Welcoming Remarks during the observance of the 2024 Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco hosted A Forum on the Situation in the West Philippine Sea on 18 September 2024 at the Philippine Center, in observance of the 2024 Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month.
A video message from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. was played, where he called on every Filipino to be a steward of the vast maritime and archipelagic resources of the Philippines, to have a consciousness of protecting these resources, and to support the country-wide conservation programs of the government.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.‘s video message on the observance of the 2024 MANA Mo is played. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez of the Maritime and Archipelagic Oceans Affairs Office also delivered a video message where he shared the challenges that the government is confronted with in the WPS and the various mechanisms by which the Philippines has asserted its territorial rights and sovereignty and advocated for a rules-based international order.
Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez’ video message for PCG San Francisco’s observance of 2024 MANA Mo is shown (San Francisco PCG photo)
In his remarks, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer emphasized the importance of observing MANA Mo. “As part of our contribution towards the observance of MANAMo, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco has decided to organize this forum to raise consciousness among the sizeable Filipino community in the Bay Area and beyond, about the issue of the West Philippine Sea and its impact on our security sector, our law enforcement agencies, our fisherfolk, and of course on our oceans and seas,” he said.
The Forum’s keynote address was delivered by Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr, the Flag Officer-In-Command of the Philippine Navy, who shared his insights to further enhance the archipelagic mindset of the Filipinos, whether in the Philippines or abroad.
(Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci Jr. delivering his keynote speech)
The event featured experts who shared their knowledge and perspectives on various aspects of the maritime issues in the West Philippine Sea. The resource speakers included Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, and the Special Staff of the Commandant on issues concerning the West Philippine Sea, who joined the forum virtually; Mr. Ray Powell, a retired U.S. Air Force and the Director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency project of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, California; and Dr. Maria Ortuoste, a professor of Political Science at the California State University East Bay, an expert on Southeast Asia and Indo-Pacific security, Philippine and US foreign policy, and maritime security. The forum was moderated by Dr. Lisandro Claudio, the Chair of the Center for Southeast Asia Studies at the University of California Berkeley.
(Participants listening attentively to the presentation of Coast Guard Commodore Jay Tarriela)
Commodore Jay Tarriela talked about the transparency initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on the issues in the West Philippine Sea., which aims to raise awareness and equip the Filipinos and the international community with accurate information happening in the West Philippine Sea.
In his presentation, Director Ray Powell discussed how transparency builds national resilience and gains international support for the Philippines in its efforts to protect its territorial integrity.
The discussion of Dr. Maria Ortuoste focused on the interface between environment and conflict. and how environmental degradation and resource scarcity can worsen conflicts. She believes that having a climate-centered code of conduct, and a common but differentiated responsibility towards environmental stewardship, can ensure sustainability of the oceans, including in the West Philippine Sea.
From left to right: Dr. Lisandro Claudio, Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr., Director Ray Powell, and Dr. Maria Ortuoste (San Francisco PCG photo)
The resource speakers gladly answered questions from the audience who listened intently to the presentations, and shared their apprehensions and concerns on what is happening in the West Philippine Sea. END
San Francisco PCG officers and staff pose with the Forum’s speakers. (San Francisco PCG photo)