Sen. Loren Legarda urged Filipinos to defend the country’s maritime rights while protecting marine ecosystems as the Philippines observes Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month this September.

This year’s MANA Mo carries the theme “Karapatan sa Karagatan, Sama-sama Nating Alagaan.”

Legarda said economic development, climate resilience, food security and environmental protection must advance together in an archipelagic country.

“Ang ating karapatan sa karagatan ay may kasamang pananagutan. Kung nais nating patuloy tayong pakainin at buhayin ng dagat, kailangan din natin itong pangalagaan. Ito ang diwa ng MANA Mo ngayong taon—ang karagatan ay atin, at sama-sama natin itong iingatan,” Legarda said.

She stressed that coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds provide habitats for marine life and protect coastal communities from strong waves, storm surges and erosion.

Their degradation threatens fisheries, weakens natural coastal defenses and increases the vulnerability of communities to climate change, she added.

Legarda is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill 168, or the proposed Blue Economy Act, which seeks to promote the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources while creating long-term livelihoods.

“Napakalaki ng potensyal ng ating karagatan na lumikha ng trabaho, pagkain, at kabuhayan. Ang nais nating blue economy ay pag-unlad na may malasakit sa pinagmumulan ng ating yaman. Dapat may pakinabang ang Pilipino ngayon habang tinitiyak nating buhay at masagana pa rin ang dagat bukas,” she said.

This year’s observance also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award, which affirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements and sovereign rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Legarda said those rights affect Filipino fishers’ ability to reach fishing grounds safely, earn a living and contribute to food security.

“May malinaw tayong karapatan sa ilalim ng international law, at patuloy natin itong paninindigan sa mapayapang paraan. Para sa ating mga mangingisda, ito ay karapatang makapalaot nang ligtas at makapaghanapbuhay sa mga karagatang may karapatan tayong pakinabangan. Ang dagat na ating ipinaglalaban ay siya ring nagbibigay sa atin ng pagkain, kabuhayan, at buhay—kaya karapatan natin itong ipagtanggol at pananagutan nating pangalagaan,” she said.

Legarda also highlighted the role of the sea in Philippine history, culture, transportation and trade.

“Bahagi ng ating kasaysayan at pagkakakilanlan ang karagatan. Pinagdurugtong nito ang ating mahigit 7,600 isla, at hanggang ngayon ay bahagi ito ng ating pagkain, kabuhayan, at pamumuhay. Sa MANA Mo, gawin nating buhay na pangako ang tema ngayong taon: Karapatan sa Karagatan, Sama-sama Nating Alagaan. Ang dagat na minana natin ay siya ring dagat na ipamamana natin,” she said.