22 June 2015 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), held talks in three prominent universities in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur to promote the West Philippine Sea issue from June 18 to 20.

DFA Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Charles C. Jose delivered briefings on the West Philippine Sea issue before an audience composed mostly of students and faculty members

in three venues: the Northwestern University in Laoag City and the Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City on June 19, and University of Northern Philippines in Vigan City on June 20.  He presented the core issues of the West Philippine Sea dispute, the principles guiding Philippine official policy, and the Philippine Government's efforts to protect the country's interests. Each forum was followed by lively exchanges of questions, answers, and views.  

Assistant Secretary Jose expressed the DFA and PIA’s appreciation to the three universities for hosting the West Philippine Sea forums. He also encouraged the audience to express their support to the country by keeping informed of the issue and promoting it in their households, school and workplaces, and in online communities through their social media posts.

"We want an informed citizenry. This information campaign is one of our main efforts to reach out to different stakeholders all over the country," the DFA Spokesperson said. "Through our briefings, we hope that we were able to increase your knowledge and widen your understanding of this crucial issue. We also hope that you will disseminate what you learned from our briefings through continued discussions on this issue in your households, communities and your peers.

Members of the media also had the opportunity to engage the DFA Spokesperson through press conferences and on-site interviews.  On June 18, he was interviewed live by journalist Edmar Ines at the DWFB Radyo ng Bayan station in Laoag City. 

This is the fourth Multi-Sectoral Forum jointly conducted by DFA and PIA since the launch of the West Philippine Sea information campaign in 2015.  The first three forums were held in Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Subic, Olongapo earlier this year. The DFA and PIA are scheduled to conduct similar forums all over the country within the year. END