Webinar on The West Philippine Sea: Then and Now in Celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nations Awareness Month (MANA Mo 2023)
As part of celebration of the MANA Mo this year, the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Graduate School in collaboration with the Department of Research, Development and Extension (DRDE) spearheaded the webinar entitled: The West Philippine Sea: Then and Now with the theme: โKupuluan, Kabuluhan, at Kaunlaranโ(Archipelago, Significance and Development). It aims to raise the consciousness on various issues and developments particularly on the background and current conditions of the West Philippine Sea. It was held on September 27, 2023, and Jay Batongbacal, JSD, Director of the UPCL Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, a renowned maritime affairs and law of the sea expert, served as the resource speaker. The webinar was also attended by 81 participants including students, seafarers, maritime professionals and other participating agencies.
Since 2017, the entire country has been celebrating the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo). This is in accordance with Proclamation No. 316 series of 2017, declaring September as MANA Mo every year. In order to build awareness and address the issues and threats in the coastal and marine environment towards preserving the Philippine maritime heritage, the MANA Mo serves as the platform that integrates the celebration of all maritime-related events and activities during September. It is also a celebration that reflects the significance of our vast resources and serves as a forum for discussion of recent events and issues that have an impact on the nation’s maritime and archipelagic concerns.
