Manila Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) praised the Senate’s passage of the Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASL) Bill for expanding the government’s capacity in the Philippines’ maritime domain.
According to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), such a proposal is part of the government’s needs for strategic investments when it comes to maritime security, as well as the maritime domain, sustainability and maritime law enforcement.
“The NTF-WPS recognizes the strategic importance of maritime legislation, which will bring attention to the proper scope of the Philippine maritime domain and the need for strategic investments in maritime security, maritime domain awareness, maritime law enforcement, sustainability of marine resources and protection of the marine environment,” NTF-WPS said in a statement.
The task force also praised the legislators for steadfast deliberations of the said measure that ensures the security of the interests of Filipinos when it comes to protecting the sovereign territory of the Philippines.
“We commend our legislators for their steadfast commitment to safeguard the interests of the Filipino people, particularly the legacy as a maritime and archipelagic people and nation, and promote our common advocacy for a rules-based international order,” the Task force said.
On Tuesday the senate passed the Senate Bill No. 2665 or the ASL bill in the third and final hearing.
The purpose measure seeks to set sea lanes and air routes to foreign vessels and continue to demonstrate proper sea lanes passage.
The lower house of Congress is expected to pass their version in December.