NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
PH Moves To Rename 100+ West Philippine Sea Features To Assert Sovereignty
Photo credit: PCO
The Philippines is taking a stronger stance in the West Philippine Sea—with more than 100 features in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) set to receive official Philippine names.
This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 111 on March 26, a move aimed at strengthening governance, administration, and the country’s sovereignty over areas in Palawan and the West Philippine Sea.
So what’s changing? Based on recommendations from the National Maritime Council, a total of 131 maritime features in the KIG will now adopt standardized Filipino names. The goal is simple: make governance more efficient and reinforce the country’s claim over these territories.
Officials say having a unified naming system is key—not just for clarity in maps and documents, but also as a concrete step in asserting sovereignty in the disputed waters.
The move also aligns with Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which defines the country’s maritime zones on the western side of the archipelago—including areas like the Luzon Sea, Bajo de Masinloc, and the KIG—as collectively part of the West Philippine Sea.
To make this official across the board, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority has been tasked to update and publish maps reflecting the new names.
And it won’t stop there. All government agencies, including state-run firms and financial institutions, are now required to use these official names in their communications and documents.
Even schools are part of the rollout. The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, along with state universities and colleges, are directed to adopt the names in textbooks, research, and learning materials.
Bottom line: this isn’t just about renaming places—it’s about reinforcing identity, governance, and the country’s presence in one of its most contested regions.
This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 111 on March 26, a move aimed at strengthening governance, administration, and the country’s sovereignty over areas in Palawan and the West Philippine Sea.
So what’s changing? Based on recommendations from the National Maritime Council, a total of 131 maritime features in the KIG will now adopt standardized Filipino names. The goal is simple: make governance more efficient and reinforce the country’s claim over these territories.
Officials say having a unified naming system is key—not just for clarity in maps and documents, but also as a concrete step in asserting sovereignty in the disputed waters.
The move also aligns with Philippine Maritime Zones Act, which defines the country’s maritime zones on the western side of the archipelago—including areas like the Luzon Sea, Bajo de Masinloc, and the KIG—as collectively part of the West Philippine Sea.
To make this official across the board, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority has been tasked to update and publish maps reflecting the new names.
And it won’t stop there. All government agencies, including state-run firms and financial institutions, are now required to use these official names in their communications and documents.
Even schools are part of the rollout. The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, along with state universities and colleges, are directed to adopt the names in textbooks, research, and learning materials.
Bottom line: this isn’t just about renaming places—it’s about reinforcing identity, governance, and the country’s presence in one of its most contested regions.
Apr 1, 2026
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