CEBU, PHILIPPINES — Various organizations and government leaders have lauded the Cebu City Council for officially declaring July 12 of every year as “West Philippine Sea Victory Day,” reaffirming the city’s support for the Philippines’ sovereign rights and maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea.
The resolution was approved during the Cebu City Council’s Regular Session on June 16 and was sponsored by Councilor Paul Labra.
The measure recognizes the historic July 12, 2016 Arbitral Award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld key aspects of the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and rejected claims inconsistent with international law.
In the resolution, the Cebu City Council emphasized that the West Philippine Sea is not only of strategic national importance but also a critical ecological and economic resource that sustains marine biodiversity, fisheries, and the livelihoods of Filipino coastal communities.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. has praised the Cebu City Council for unanimously approving a resolution declaring July 12 as “West Philippine Sea Victory Day.” Teodoro said the 2016 Arbitral Award was “a victory which our country should embrace and fight to enforce.”
Alvin Dizon, former Cebu City councilor and local convenor of the Atin Ito Coalition, said the declaration places Cebu City among the local governments promoting awareness of the country’s maritime rights, environmental stewardship, and the peaceful, rules-based resolution of disputes under international law.
Urban Poor Alliance (UP-ALL) President Gemma Rosacena emphasized that the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Filipino people, adding that it is only fitting for Cebu City to stand firm, speak out, and uphold the country’s maritime rights and sovereignty.
As part of the observance of the West Philippine Sea Victory Day, city offices, educational institutions, and civil society organizations are encouraged to conduct commemorative activities, educational campaigns, forums, flag-raising ceremonies, and public discussions that promote awareness of Philippine sovereignty and maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea.
The Cebu City Council also called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to proclaim July 12 as a national observance of “West Philippine Sea Victory Day” and urged both the House of Representatives and the Senate to enact legislation institutionalizing the annual commemoration of the Philippines’ historic arbitral victory.
The resolution will be transmitted to the Office of the President, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and other concerned government agencies for information and appropriate action.
| ATIN ITO Cebu via FPL
