The week-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award kicked off yesterday with the WPS Mural Festival. Remarkably, more than 220 mural entries were completed from Luzon to Mindanao.
This shows that Filipino awareness of the West Philippine Sea is at an all-time high, regardless of where they live or what politics they support. It also proves that the WPS conversation is no longer confined to the security sector. Every Filipino, whatever their profession or background, has a place in this conversation.
Our people have come to understand that the fight for the West Philippine Sea is a fight for all of us, and one we must carry on for future generations of Filipinos.
As Secretary Gilbert Teodoro aptly put it: “The West Philippine Sea belongs not only to us but to future generations of Filipinos. We have a sacred obligation to protect it, preserve it, and use it to help build a stronger and more resilient Philippines.”
Photo Credit to Philippine Star
