A so-called West Philippine Sea bloc in the House of Representatives is pushing for the mandatory teaching of the history and geography of the WPS at the primary and secondary levels in both public and private schools to ensure that future generations will uphold the country's territorial claims in the disputed area.

The proposal, under House Bill 1625 filed on Tuesday, seeks to deepen awareness and instill patriotism among Filipino youths in light of China’s persistent nine-dash claim in the WPS in violation of international law. 

The proposed “West Philippine Sea Mandatory Education Act” aims to require schools to include in their curricula the teaching of crucial topics such as the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 arbitral ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which deemed China's expansive claims in the entire South China Sea as baseless. 

The bill seeks to educate the youth on the significance of the landmark ruling and the severe implications of China’s relentless incursions on the Philippines’ marine ecosystem, undermining food security and the livelihood of fisherfolk.

It also seeks to combat the alarming spread of false narratives allegedly propagated by pro-China groups.

The Philippines and China have been embroiled in a longstanding maritime dispute as Beijing asserts sovereignty in the entire South China Sea, which overlaps the WPS. 

Despite a pact to de-escalate tensions forged in July last year, China continues to display aggressive methods through the use of water cannons, military-grade lasers, and by deploying missiles against Philippine troops and vessels, among others.

“When disinformation attempts to rewrite our history, we answer with education. Our 'WPS Mandatory Education' bill is simple: if they can flood the internet with lies, we will fill our classrooms with facts. Our youth deserve the truth, not historical fiction,” said Mamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima. 

Aside from De Lima, the proponents include Akbayan Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, Dadah Ismula, Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, and Albay Rep. Krisel Lagman-Luistro. 

The bill will require the Department of Education, in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs, to develop age-appropriate curricula, instructional materials, and teaching modules within 60 days of the law’s effectivity.

If enacted, the funding for this will be initially drawn from the DepEd budget for the year it becomes law. Thereafter, the necessary funds for its implementation shall be included in the DepEd budget for each year.

Aside from this, the WPS bloc also filed twin measures — HB 1626, declaring 12 July as the “National West Philippine Sea Victory Day” and House Resolution 0039, urging a review of the sister-city and sister-province agreements between China and Philippine LGUs, citing the huge national security risks involved in these partnerships.

“These agreements are not even worth the paper they’re printed on. China's actions in the West Philippine Sea are devoid of the respect that is expected of such agreements. Their government has repeatedly shown contempt for our frontliners and fisherfolk,” Cendaña said.

De Lima pointed out that this will serve as “a necessary audit” of the Philippines’ sovereignty to ensure that “no local handshake by any LGU compromises our national backbone.”

Citing records from the Department of Interior and Local Government, the resolution states that there are at least 16 China-Philippine sister city partnerships, while the League of Cities of the Philippines listed 29 Philippine LGU-Chinese city deals.

According to the proponents, the figures do not include the three sister-city agreements with Davao City as publicly announced by Vice President Sara Duterte and Mayor Sebastian Duterte in 2023.