Camille Naredo

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) and answers queries on various national and international issues during FOCAP's Presidential Luncheon at a hotel in Manila on August 14, 2026. Noel B. Pabalate, PPA Pool

Article (news)

MARCOS

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178877354359920260814-marcos-focap-manla-PPA-NP12.jpg" style="width: 960px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) and answers queries on various national and international issues during FOCAP's Presidential Luncheon at a hotel in Manila on August 14, 2026. Noel B. Pabalate, PPA Pool">President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks before members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) and answers queries on various national and international issues during FOCAP&#39;s Presidential Luncheon at a hotel in Manila on August 14, 2026. Noel B. Pabalate, PPA Pool</div>MANILA &mdash; President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday reiterated that his administration is resolute on protecting Philippine waters, as the country commemorates the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month.The President in many instances has repeatedly said he will not surrender an inch of Philippine territory, including the tense West Philippine Sea, to foreign powers.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/9/7/philippines-reaffirms-wps-commitment-as-maritime-awareness-month-opens-1357">READ: Philippines reaffirms WPS commitment as Maritime Awareness Month opens</a></div>&quot;To understand our history as a maritime and archipelagic nation is to recognize the incontrovertible truth that our waters shape the life of our country,&quot; Marcos said in a statement.&quot;MANA Mo 2026 elevates this recognition by promoting maritime consciousness as a shared national responsibility. This year&#39;s observance, held alongside the anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, offers a timely occasion to uphold, affirm, and reiterate our country&#39;s lawful rights and entitlements,&quot; he added.Marcos enjoined Filipinos to join activities related to this month&#39;s celebrations.&quot;Defending what is ours demands our solidarity as a people and firm national resolve. I thus urge every Filipino to take part in activities organized throughout September by government agencies, embassies and consulates, local government units, educational institutions, and the private sector,&quot; Marcos said.&quot;These initiatives are aimed at deepening public understanding of the vital role our seas play in our history, security, and future,&quot; he added.He also said that his administration will continue to provide clear direction on this core national concern.&quot;I call on all Filipinos to carry this awareness forward by advancing concrete measures that champion our rights as a nation and strengthen the responsible stewardship of our patrimony,&quot; Marcos said.&quot;To every Filipino, rest assured that we remain resolute in protecting our waters and safeguarding the future of our Bagong Pilipinas,&quot; he ended.Undersecretary Alexander Lopez of the National Maritime Council underscored the importance of the Philippines&#39; maritime domain as a nation.&quot;Malaki po ang papel o kahalagahan ng karagatan, ang tawag natin ay ating maritime domain, dito kasi nanggagaling pagkain, malaking bahagi ng pagkain sa ating mga hapag-kainan at kabuhayan ng maraming Pilipino,&quot; Lopez told PTV.&quot;At dito din dumadaan ang kalakalan o iyong global trade, transportasyon, turismo at iba pang industriya, kaya kapag pinangalagaan natin ang ating karagatan, pinangangalagaan din natin ang buhay at kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino,&quot; he added.Several activities have been lined up for the commemoration this month.&quot;Sinimulan natin noong September 1 &nbsp;with a nationwide sounding of the ship&rsquo;s horns ng mga government vessel tulad ng Coast Guard, Navy at BFAR at kasama iyong mga ibang flag-registered vessels sa buong kapuluan,&quot; Lopez said.&quot;Sa pamamagitan ng MANA Mo program activities, gusto sana nating makita ng ating mga kabataan na ang maritime sector ay hindi lamang tungkol sa seguridad, may malaking opportunity dito sa Science, technologies, fisheries, shipping, tourism, environment &nbsp;at iba pang larangan ng blue economy industries,&quot; he ended.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday reiterated that his administration is resolute on protecting Philippine waters, as the country commemorates the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday reiterated that his administration is resolute on protecting Philippine waters, as the country commemorates the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month.

We remain resolute in protecting our waters, says Marcos

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We remain resolute in protecting our waters, says Marcos

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 07, 2026 05:35 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

West Philippine Sea

maritime dispute

Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month

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