MASINLOC, Zambales (PIA) — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) brought its “Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Kalayaan” exhibit and symposium to Masinloc, Zambales.
This initiative aims to deepen understanding of the country’s maritime heritage, commemorate key historical events and figures, and highlight the significance of the West Philippine Sea in national sovereignty.
NHCP Museo El Deposito Shrine Curator Jonel Rabusa explained that the aim of the exhibit and symposium is to inform the public about the current situation in the West Philippine Sea while providing historical context for the country’s claims over the region.
“By showcasing historical evidence, we aim to help the public recognize that this territory has been part of the Philippines since the Spanish era, solidifying the foundation of our claim,” he pressed.
For her part, Masinloc Mayor Hazel Lim expressed pride in hosting the event, emphasizing its importance for local communities, especially fisherfolk who are directly impacted by the ongoing territorial dispute.
“Isang karangalan na mapili ang Masinloc bilang venue na pagdausan ng exhibit at symposium. Ito po ay malaking oportunidad para magbigay kaalaman pa at mas malawak na kaalaman hindi lamang po sa mga serbidor ng bayan kundi pati po sa aming mamamayan dito sa buong Zambales,” she said.
Meanwhile, Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. addressed the challenges faced by local fisherfolk, particularly due to fishing restrictions in the Scarborough Shoal.
Ebdane said that while the local government cannot directly confront foreign claims, he emphasized efforts to improve the livelihood of fisherfolk through training and alternative livelihood programs.
During the symposium, retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio gave a lecture on the “Philippine Island Territories in the West Philippine Sea” to more than 600 students, fisherfolk, local government employees, and uniformed personnel.
“Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Kalayaan” coincides with the observance of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month or MANA MO this September, and the 150th anniversary of a map that defined the Philippines’ territorial boundaries during the Spanish colonial period.
The exhibit, which will be open to the public for two weeks, features photographs depicting life on Pag-asa Island, historical maps that demonstrate the Philippines’ ownership of Kalayaan and Bajo de Masinloc, and a model of the BRP Sierra Madre. (CLJD/RGP, PIA Region 3-Zambales)
