President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the historical significance of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map during its presentation at Malacañang Palace.

In his speech, Marcos highlighted key features of the map, including its depictions of rivers, coastlines, and indigenous Filipinos, mestizos and Sangleyes.

“The map not only captures the geographical contours of our archipelago but also reflects the vibrant interplay of cultures, peoples, and traditions that define our nation,” he stated.

The map, created in 1734 by Filipino cartographer Francisco Suarez and engraved by Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay under the guidance of Spanish Jesuit Father Pedro Murillo Velarde, is known as the “mother of all Philippine maps.”

It played a pivotal role in affirming the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, with the map being one of the 270 presented to the arbitral tribunal.

“The Murillo Velarde Map provided crucial evidence that the Philippines has consistently exercised authority and jurisdiction over areas such as Panacot Shoal — now Scarborough Shoal — and Los Bajos de Paragua — now the Spratly Islands,” Marcos said.

“This map’s significance transcends the centuries,” he added.

Marcos also acknowledged the map as a priceless artifact that defines the Philippines’ territorial history, urging Filipinos to honor its legacy for future generations.

“We must draw inspiration from the enduring message of this map: to protect and assert Philippine sovereignty with resolve and integrity,” the President said.

“We hold the pen to write the next chapters of our nation’s history — chapters that uphold the principles of justice, truth, and unity,” he continued. “Let us ensure that the legacy of the Murillo Velarde Map continues to guide us in our journey as a nation, steadfast in our identity and resolute in our aspirations.”

Marcos expressed his gratitude to businessman Mel Velarde, who acquired the historic map at an auction in London in 2014. Velarde donated the map to the national government, where it will be displayed at the National Museum.

First mobile soil lab inaugurated

Meanwhile, Marcos inaugurated in Malacañang the country’s first mobile soil laboratory, a development aimed at boosting the agricultural sector.

Marcos emphasized the importance of the mobile soil laboratory in providing farmers with modern technologies that would help address the challenges in farming.

“This day is historic — because it marks a significant step that highlights the importance of agriculture in our goal to ensure sufficient food, prosperous communities, and a more united nation,” Marcos said in Filipino.

He stressed that the government is committed to building a more resilient economy by supporting Filipino farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.

The mobile soil laboratory is a 10-wheeler truck with state-of-the-art equipment, facilities, resources, and safety features. It can conduct tests on 44 soil chemical, physical, and microbiological parameters.

With the mobile soil lab, farmers will only need to wait five days for the laboratory test results.

During the laboratory’s initial operation, services will be provided free of charge.

Marcos said the project would provide farmers with more knowledge about farming using advanced tools more scientifically.

The Bureau of Soils and Water Management is set to deploy the mobile soil lab at the National Soil and Water Resources Research Development Center in the lowland ped-ecological zone in San Ildefonso, Bulacan to serve farmers in Central Luzon.

The bureau is eyeing the procurement of 16 more mobile labs to be deployed to other agricultural areas nationwide.