Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, ManaMo Forum Participants Commit to Promote PH Maritime Domain

(Clockwise) Acting Head of Post Maria Alnee A. Gamble leads the pinning of the Philippine flaglet symbolizing her commitment to promote the country’s maritime domain and entitlements based on UNCLOS. City of Carson Councilmember Arleen Rojas and other participants also signified the same commitment

LOS ANGELES 25 September 2024 – As part of its observance of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month or MANA Mo, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles organized a hybrid forum on MANA Mo. It was held on Thursday, 19 September 2024, at the Consulate General’s Community Hall. The forum had participants from various sectors, including local government, think tanks, academe, media, and Filipino-American community organizations.

The featured speakers of the forum included Department of Foreign Affairs - Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office, Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis M. Alferez; Executive Associate Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law and Director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs Law of the Sea, Dr. Jay Batongbacal; and Marine Biologist of the Holy Name University, Dr. Hyacinth N. Suarez. 

Acting Head of Post (AHOP) Maria Alnee A. Gamble started the proceedings by welcoming and expressing appreciation to the in-person and virtual participants then introduced each speaker plus a short summary of their presentations.

In his video message, ASec Alferez expressed hope that the Filipino diaspora can be involved and assertive while remaining mindful and discerning over the issues and interests affecting the country.

For his part, Dr. Batongbacal underscored the importance of understanding the distinction of the South China Sea (SCS) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS). He is of the view that the distinction is necessary as it identifies the Philippine interest within the marine region. He described WPS according to Section 1 of Administrative Order No. 29 series of 2012.

“UNCLOS remains a major pillar in the country’s foreign policy advocacy because of its inherent significance in the nation's life…China's excessive claims, also known as nine-dash line, is deemed invalid according to UNCLOS,” Dr. Batongbacal added.

Dr. Suarez’ presentation delved into the country’s marine biodiversity and marine conservation, with focus on black corrals in the Western Visayas region and their role in supporting biodiversity.

After the lectures, Attorney Marlon B. Baldomero of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA) expressed his reaction. It was followed by an open forum, moderated by Consul Francis Maynard S. Maleon and questions from the audience were responded to by Professor Batongbacal and Dr. Suarez.

The forum culminated with a commitment ceremony. For this activity, participants were invited to pin a Philippine flaglet on a board featuring the Philippine map symbolizing their commitment to promote the country’s maritime entitlements according to international law and to be stewards of Philippine waters for conservation and protection.

Aside from the flaglets, the Consulate General also placed paper boats on the chairs of the participants in representation of the Philippines’ archipelagic identity. The paper boats doubled as an “information vessel” as it contains the goals of MANA Mo and an explanation of this year’s theme.

The forum can still be viewed at: https://fb.watch/uJFikdeZtR/

The public is also invited to the ongoing MANA Mo exhibition of the Consulate General, which will run until the end of September 2024.END

Department of Foreign Affairs - Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office, Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis M. Alferez in his video message.

Panelists and participants during the question-and-answer segment.

For more information, visit https://www.losangelespcg.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinLA/, https://x.com/phlinlosangeles?lang=en, or https://www.instagram.com/phlinla/.