Iloilo prov’l board member urges WPS lessons in basic education

By Reamae Velasco, Daily Guardian Intern

Iloilo Provincial Board Member Rolando Distura (4th District) is urging the inclusion of lessons on the West Philippine Sea in the basic education curriculum to promote national consciousness, combat misinformation and assert the country’s maritime rights.

Distura filed a resolution during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session on Tuesday, requesting the Department of Education Schools Division of Iloilo to incorporate the historical context of the West Philippine Sea and the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea into classroom instruction.

He emphasized the importance of the West Philippine Sea as a vital part of the Philippines’ maritime territory.

Distura also underscored the need for educational content that affirms national sovereignty and protects the rights of Filipino fishermen in the region.

The proposed resolution cites the July 12, 2016, ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone and rejected China’s expansive territorial claims.

Distura pointed out that, despite the ruling’s significance and the geopolitical relevance of the West Philippine Sea, the topic remains underemphasized in the current basic education curriculum.

“There is a pressing need to foster national consciousness, maritime awareness and historical literacy among Filipino students, especially the youth, through proper education about the West Philippine Sea and its legal foundations,” he said.

He added that the resolution also seeks to instill patriotism and a sense of responsibility among the younger generation, encouraging them to help defend Philippine sovereignty.

Distura also raised concerns over the widespread misinformation about territorial claims circulating on social media.

“The narrative of China is really strong, with many inaccuracies circulating on platforms like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram,” he said.

He called for collective action from the provincial board to ensure Ilonggo youth receive accurate information about their maritime rights, noting that some Filipino journalists and bloggers have echoed China’s narrative.

“These are alarming trends, and we must address them through education,” Distura added.

The resolution has been referred to the Committee on Education for further study.