Advisories & News
Press Release
COMMUNITY FORUM IN TORONTO DISCUSS WAYS TO HELP PROTECT THE PHILIPPINES’ MARITIME HERITAGE
2024-09-30
Dr. Deo Onda of the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute giving a presentation on the West Philippine Sea
22 September 2024, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Toronto (UPAAT), conducted a community forum on the West Philippine Sea in observance of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo). The forum was the last stop of a roadshow for MANA Mo initiated by the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Canada led by the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa.
In her welcome remarks, Consul General Angelica C. Escalona explained the need to raise awareness about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and its importance to the Philippines and the rest of the world. The Consul General shared a quote from the forum’s main speaker, Dr. Deo Onda, who said “The more you know, the more you care. And the more you care, the more you will act.”
In a recorded video presentation, Professor Jay Batongbacal, Director of the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, described the significance of the WPS as part of the broader South China Sea (SCS). He also gave an overview of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitration Award, and the importance of these on the Philippines’ maritime entitlements in the WPS.
Dr. Onda, Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute, emphasized that the Philippines is an archipelagic nation and that it is important for Filipinos in Canada to recognize their roots and heritage as a maritime people. It is a heritage that they should be proud of as the Philippines, which is located at the center of the coral reef triangle, is the epicenter of marine biodiversity. As such, protecting the WPS and its rich resources is important not just to the Philippines but to the rest of the world. “It is an inheritance that the Filipino people is giving to the world”, Dr. Onda remarked.
An open forum followed which began with reactions from Professor Philip Kelly of York University and Ms. Olivia Camacho of UPAAT. Discussions centered on what the Filipino diaspora can do to help protect the Philippine’s maritime heritage, especially in the WPS. The recommendations include helping raise awareness and mobilize support on the WPS to amplify the Philippine position for a rules-based order in the region. Another recommendation is supporting efforts for the training of Filipino scientists and oceanographers and for marine scientific research in the Philippines.
The community forum was attended by around 80 members of Filipino community organizations and student groups who described the forum as enlightening and inspiring. END
(left to right) Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin, UPAAT President Agnes Manasan, Ms. Olivia Camacho of UPAAT, Consul General Angelica Escalona, Dr. Onda, Professor Philip Kelly of York University, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate and Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague
Attendees during the community forum with Consul General Escalona and Dr. Onda