The Provincial Government of Zambales commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Hague arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during a ceremony held at the Masinloc Gym in Barangay South Poblacion, Masinloc, on 10 July.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Zambales Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., and senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) led the event, reaffirming the province's commitment to protecting the country's maritime rights while strengthening support for local fishing communities.

Carrying the theme, "Bayanihan sa Karagatan: Liwanag ng Kalayaan, Tanglaw ng Karagatan" ("Unity at Sea: Light of Freedom, Beacon of the Seas"), the program celebrated the landmark ruling that affirmed the Filipino people's rights over the country's maritime resources.

"The wealth of our seas belongs to the Filipino people," Ebdane said, emphasizing that defending the nation's sovereignty requires collective action and unwavering solidarity.

During the ceremony, Teodoro led the distribution of fishing gear, livelihood equipment, and food packs to 3,500 fisherfolk families from coastal communities in Zambales.

The defense secretary reiterated that the West Philippine Sea should be treated as a matter of national interest rather than partisan politics. He described the 2016 Hague arbitral ruling as a victory not only for the Philippines but also for the international community, and urged Filipinos to stand firm against China's aggressive territorial claims and disinformation.

Ebdane, meanwhile, reaffirmed the provincial government's support for the national government's position on the West Philippine Sea. He noted that Zambales was among the local government units consulted during the country's legal efforts that culminated in the landmark arbitral ruling.

The governor also recalled that, in March 2011, the Municipal Council of Masinloc passed a resolution declaring Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, as part of the municipality's territorial jurisdiction.

"Our efforts here are centered on the welfare of Zambales fishermen, for they are the living symbols of the country's rightful presence in the West Philippine Sea," Ebdane said.

Recognizing the challenges faced by fishing communities, Ebdane outlined several initiatives to improve their livelihoods and resilience. These include organizing fishermen's cooperatives, deploying additional payao (fish aggregating devices), acquiring rescue boats, and procuring steel-hulled motorized fishing vessels to support offshore operations.

The provincial government is also strengthening training programs on deep-sea fishing while developing coordinated maritime patrols and an early warning system as part of its community-based coastal preparedness initiatives.

As the province marked the anniversary through community activities and a concert, Ebdane urged residents to remain united and optimistic.

He said the occasion was not only a commemoration of a legal victory but also a tribute to the enduring courage of Filipino fishermen and the nation's continuing pursuit of peace, justice, and prosperity in the West Philippine Sea.

"We celebrate today with hope because the law and the truth are on our side," Ebdane said. "Together, let us continue to stand for our fishermen, our seas, and our country."