GOVPH

12 September 2014 - The Spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Assistant Secretary Charles C. Jose, was the guest speaker at the first-ever Special Kapihan ng Mamamayan on the West Philippine Sea Issue held today, September 12, at Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales.

The Special Kapihan was jointly organized by the DFA and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), through its Regional Office in Central Luzon. A series of Special Kapihans will be held throughout the rest of the year and in 2015 as part of the DFA's nationwide campaign to bring the West Philippine Sea Issue to the grassroots of Philippine society.

Conducted largely in the vernacular language, the Special Kapihan aims to explain the West Philippine Sea Issue to ordinary Filipinos and gain their support for the measures being undertaken by the Philippine Government to address it.

"Ang sitwasyon sa West Philippine ay isang isyung may mga implikasyon sa seguridad at ekonomiya ng ating bansa. Makakaapekto ito sa kasulukuyan at sa mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pilipino," Assistant Secretary Jose stressed.

Around 40 people attended the Special Kapihan in Olongapo City. The participants were mostly local media representatives and officials of the local government down to the baranggay.

While in Olongapo City, the DFA Spokesperson also talked about the West Philippine Sea Issue on radio shows Mayor's Report, which is aired over DWHL Apo Radyo 756 and hosted by Olongapo Mayor Rolen C. Paulino; Usapang Bayan, which also airs on DWHL Apo Radyo 756; and Bay All Hitz Program over Bay Radio FM 89.5.

Olongapo City is located in the province of Zambales, under which the Municipality of Masinloc is administered. Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, which is a part of the Municipality of Masinloc, has become one of the hotly contested areas in the West Philippine Sea since the standoff between the Philippines and China in April 2012.

"Una naming pinuntahan ang Zambales dahil alam namin na kayo ang nasa 'frontline' ng usaping ito," Assistant Secretary Jose said, directly referring to the challenges facing the fisherfolk in the province whose livelihood has been hit by the ongoing maritime disputes. "Nais po naming siguruhin sa inyo na patuloy na may ginagawa ang pamahalaan upang maresolba ang mga pagtatalo sa West Philippine Sea at matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na makabalik sa kanilang hanapbuhay," he added.

The next Special Kapihan ng Mamamayan on the West Philippine Sea Issue will be held in Palawan, another "frontline" province in the maritime disputes. END