BICAM APPROVES CONSOLIDATED VERSION OF ARCHIPELAGIC SEA LANES ACT

THE bicameral conference panel approved on Wednesday the consolidated version of the proposed Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASL) Law that will designate sea lanes in the Philippines for foreign vessels and aircraft.

Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino, head of the Senate panel, hailed the approval of the measure, which he said would help ensure the country’s maritime domain, and strengthen territorial integrity and national security.

He noted that the measure implements the provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by designating the country’s archipelagic sea lanes, and governing archipelagic sea lanes passage by foreign vessels and aircraft.

Once passed, the law will be submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which will notify other countries of the new legislation, according to the senator.

“The IMO enforces strict compliance mechanisms, and if they (foreign vessels and aircraft, including military warships and aircraft) do not comply, we can deny them access under this measure,” Tolentino explained.

“We thank the members of the House contingent for their attendance and quick resolution of the conflicting provisions,” he added.

Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas, head of the House panel, emphasized the importance of the proposed measure in strengthening the country’s Hague arbitral award in 2016.

“We will work to ensure that under the 19th Congress, the President will sign the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law. This legislation is long overdue and one of the most critical measures we have undertaken,” Arenas stated.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel and Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa joined Tolentino in the Senate panel.

For the House contingent, Arenas was joined by Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Rep. Loreto “Ton” Acheron, and Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupas.

Tolentino, who also chairs the Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones, announced that the two measures he authored and sponsored –the Maritime Zones Bill and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Bill–are expected to be submitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos next week.