MANILA — Senator Erwin Tulfo has filed Senate Bill No. 1625, or the “West Philippine Sea (WPS) Education Act,” seeking to require the inclusion of learning topics and materials on the West Philippine Sea in both basic and higher education curricula.

Under the measure, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education will be mandated to integrate WPS-related content into school curricula to strengthen public awareness and understanding of Philippine maritime rights.

“We have to stand as a unified nation in defending what is ours. A good way to do it is to capacitate Filipinos with accurate, evidence-based information. This will empower Filipino citizens to actively participate in the protection of our maritime rights,” Tulfo said.

The senator cited the recent water cannon attack at Escoda Shoal that injured Filipino fisherfolk as among the reasons for pushing the proposed legislation.

“We cannot be idle while our fellowmen guarding the WPS, especially our fisherfolk, continue to be hurt. We have to be informed about our rights and the policies that must be complied with. What’s ours is ours,” Tulfo said.

The proposed law seeks to institutionalize a comprehensive WPS Education and Awareness Program in schools. It also directs DepEd and CHED, in coordination with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the National Security Council, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant government agencies, to develop standardized and updated learning materials on the WPS.

The bill further calls for capacity-building programs for teachers, the production of accessible digital and printed community-based learning resources, and the launch of a nationwide information campaign and research initiatives on Philippine maritime rights, marine ecosystem protection in the WPS, and public discourse on WPS issues.

“Despite the West Philippine Sea being a critical area, there remains limited public awareness and understanding of the WPS. This has to stop. We have legal rights over it and we have to ramp up our efforts so every Filipino will be able to defend our rights over the WPS,” Tulfo said.