PANGASINAN—The Philippines commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award that solidified the country’s lawful rights over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), on the 23rd of July 2026 at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
The event entitled ‘Bayanihan para sa Kanlurang Dagat ng Pilipinas 2026,’ was organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), alongside National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea and Tanggol Kalikasan (TK)—as well as in partnership with the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.
It celebrated the decade that has passed since the tribunal ruling at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on the 12th of July 2026. The ruling, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), denounced China’s ‘9-dash-line’ claim, and condemned its unlawful construction of artificial islands and environmental harm.
With the theme ‘Isang Bansa, Isang Dagat, Isang Paninindigan,’ ten (10) provinces along the WPS convened to rekindle bonds through a reminder of the shared responsibility over the WPS. These provinces include: Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Zambales, and the event host—Pangasinan.
To formally welcome the attending guests, Pangasinan Provincial Governor Ramon V. Guico III gave his opening remarks in which he underscored the importance of the WPS—not just as a part of country’s territory, but as a living part of its culture:
“Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi lamang bahagi ng ating teritoryo; ito ay ating pamana—pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan ng libu-libong mangingisdang Pilipino, at sagisag ng pagkakaisa at katatagan ng ating bansa.”
Guico also highlighted that, however different each of the provinces are, they are united under the shared responsibility of caring for the sea and strengthening the nation.
The core of these words were continually echoed throughout the event.
A briefing presented through the Assistant Director General for Partnership and Engagements of the National Security Council, Francis Jude S. Lauengco, highlighted the national government’s actions in managing the persistent concerns surrounding the WPS.
In particular, these actions are committed through “peaceful and lawful means”; “strengthen(ing) public awareness by ensuring consistent and factual messaging”; strengthening military presence in the WPS; and “support(ing) Filipino fishermen through livelihood assistance, fisheries development, and programs that strengthen coastal communities.”
Following this briefing, Assistant Secretary for International Relations, Lilian M. De Leon, shared the DILG’s undertakings and achievements regarding the WPS. This included the translation of “commitments from the national level into concrete actions at the local level.”
Here, she underscored the importance of local government units in protecting the WPS—a role that the DILG promotes by “providing platforms, partnerships, and government mechanisms […] while promoting sustainable development.” A highlight of her presentation is the DILG initiative entitled ‘Para sa Kanlurang Dagat ng Pilipinas’ which aims to “disseminate, validate, implement, and institutionalize the provincial action plans [that were] developed [by the 10] participating provinces during the national summit [in 2023].”
This initiative has, so far, already resulted in eight (8) of the aforementioned provinces—including Pangasinan—submitting ordinances that led to the inaugural meeting on the 29th of October 2025, and the first quarter meeting in 2026 regarding their three-year WPS Action Plan.
Organizations recognized for continuously supporting the initiative, include: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), TK, Institute of Environmental Governance (IEG), national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, as well as youth and fisherfolk organizations—all of which, attended the event through respective representatives.
The keynote message from DILG Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla called for unity—not just among the provinces, but the entire nation—citing the necessity of standing together to fight for the Filipinos’ lawful right to the WPS.
“Ipakita natin sa lahat, at isigaw natin sa lahat, at iparinig natin sa lahat […] na ang pilipino ay nagkakaisa sa tanging bagay […] Tayo ay Pilipino; ang West Philippine Sea ay para sa Pilipino […] Magkaisa tayong lahat, ipaglaban natin ang atin—ang ating diwa, ang ating karapatan […] mabuhay ang bagong Pilipinas, mabuhay ang bagong Pilipino!”
After Sec. Remulla’s message, plaques were awarded to the ten (10) coastal LGUs to formally recognize their initiatives and efforts surrounding the WPS. Each plaque was received by the representative of each LGU, in the following chronologic order:
- Bataan — headed by Gov. Jose Enrique S. Garcia III, represented by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Romano Popoy del Rosario
- Batanes — headed and represented by Gov. Ronald P. Aguto Jr.
- Batangas — headed by Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, represented by OIC Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Officer Marivic P. Esmas
- Ilocos Norte — headed and represented by Gov. Cecilia Araneta Marcos
- Ilocos Sur — headed by Gov. Jeremias C. Singson, represented by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Raymark A. Rafanan
- La Union — headed and represented by Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega
- Occidental Mindoro — headed and represented by Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano
- Palawan, Municipality of Kalayaan — headed by Mayor Beltzasar S. Alindogan, represented by Vice Mayor Philip Alexis S. Albayda
- Zambales — headed by Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., represented by Vice Gov. Jacqueline Rose F. Khonghun
- Pangasinan — headed and represented by Gov. Ramon V. Guico III
For their invaluable support and for hosting the event, the DILG offered a token of gratitude to Gov. Guico and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan—who, in turn, presented a token of gratitude to the DILG for continually collaborating with Pangasinan and for its efforts on uniting the national and local sectors.
Following this, DILG Undersecretary Marlo L. Iringan presided over the attending body’s Pledge of Commitment. This reiterated the shared, unwavering devotion towards the care and protection of the WPS; and was sealed through the Signing of the Commitment Wall.
Finally, the program came to a formal end through the closing remarks of Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, who reiterated that, however divided the provinces may be, they are united under the desire to maintain peace and ensure the safety of the people within the WPS. In his speech, Vice Gov. Lambino expressed hope that the convention will result in concrete steps, and implored the continuous unity amongst the national and local stakeholders:
“Naway patuloy tayong magtulungan nang may karunungan, pag-galang sa isa’t isa, at iisang layunin para sa kapayapaan at napapanatiling kaunlaran. Mabuhay po tayong lahat, at mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”
The Bayanihan event was also attended by representatives from across the ten provinces, including Municipal Mayors and other guests.
Apart from the presentations, performances were rendered throughout the event, in the form of beautiful choral ensembles by the Koro group, and invigorating dances by the Ligliwa Dance Troupe of Mangatarem National High School and the Matalunggaring Dance Troupe of the Pangasinan State University-Bayambang Campus.
