Mga Pilipinong nangingisda sa Bajo de Masinloc, mas dumami na ayon sa BFAR;

Mga Pilipinong nangingisda sa Bajo de Masinloc, mas dumami na ayon sa BFAR;   Panukalang Maritime Zones Act, aprubado na sa Senado

Transcript

00:00 A very important bill was passed in the Senate

00:03 that will help protect our territory and its natural resources.

00:10 In front of that, BFAR also noted that more Filipinos will fish

00:15 and will be able to sail in the Bajo de Masinlok.

00:18 Next to the protection that the government is giving,

00:22 is Daniel Manalastas in the center of the news.

00:27 If asked by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,

00:30 more Filipinos are fishing in the Bajo de Masinlok

00:34 after the humanitarian and support mission of BFAR and the Philippine Coast Guard.

00:39 The number of Filipino fishers in Scarborough Shoal has increased.

00:45 Compared to the last mission, where there were only 21 Philippine fishing boats,

00:50 this last mission has 44 fishing boats

00:53 and has received support from the government.

00:57 According to BFAR, the Bajo de Masinlok is rich in rich seas,

01:01 which is a traditional fishing spot for Filipino fishermen.

01:05 It has a huge role in our marine ecosystem.

01:09 There are fish traps there, fish hatcheries.

01:12 The reef fishes are concentrated there.

01:14 When we say reef fishes, these are the fish that are in the rocks.

01:18 The Bajo de Masinlok is the only one in the Philippines

01:22 that is more protected under the Maritime Zones Act.

01:26 Yesterday, the Senate passed a bill

01:29 that will protect fishermen

01:32 and the fishing boats of China.

01:36 The Philippine Maritime Zones Law

01:38 will continue to serve as a cornerstone of our maritime policy,

01:43 protecting our sovereignty,

01:45 promoting sustainable development,

01:47 and securing our future prosperity.

01:51 The bill also calls for a stronger position of the Philippines

01:55 in the West Philippine Sea,

01:56 as well as other islands that are under the Philippine Maritime Zones Law,

02:00 including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

02:05 The bill also expects to give a message to the Philippine nation

02:09 that we are serious about our right to our territories.

02:14 But if you ask Senator Robin Hood Padilla

02:17 and the Philippines' claims in Sabah, Malaysia,

02:19 he also wants to live.

02:21 Daniel Manalastas for Pamansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.