House Bill 7819 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act authored by Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) is a step closer to becoming a law.

The House of Representatives and Senate Bicameral Committee agreed on a consolidated bill and the measure went back to the Lower House where it was ratified on Tuesday, March 19.

It is expected to be submitted to the Office of the President for signing into law soon.

“This will set clear demarcations for our maritime areas, especially in light of disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea. This will enable us to uphold our sovereign rights to make use of our resources in our local waters and Exclusive Economic Zone,” Benitez said.

This will be a big help, especially for local fishermen, he said.

“This will show the world that we have clear rules and are compliant with International Law when we are operating in our waters,” Benitez said.

“The Philippine Maritime Zones Act reflects our commitment to being a responsible member of the global community. That our country adheres to the rules-based international order and complies with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” he added.

House Bill 7819 provides a comprehensive framework for delineating the various maritime zones under the nation’s jurisdiction.*