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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
April 1, 2026 | 12:00am
A tugboat of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy sails in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal near the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in August 2025.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered the giving of local names to 131 features of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The directive is contained in Executive Order 111 signed by Marcos on March 26.
The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority has been tasked to produce and publish updated charts and maps that reflect the local names.
The EO also instructed national government agencies and instrumentalities to use the names in all their official communications, messages and documents.
The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and all state universities and colleges are expected to use the names in educational and training institutions as well as in conducting research, publishing textbooks and preparing educational or instructional materials.
The order cited EO No. 57, wherein the National Maritime Council recommended the adoption of the standard set of Philippine names for the 131 features of the KIG in Kalayaan town in Palawan. According to the council, it is imperative to adopt a standard set of Philippine names for maritime features in the KIG “to ensure efficient administration and governance of the area and to exercise the country’s sovereignty” in the WPS.
The Philippine Maritime Zones Act, meanwhile, states that the maritime zones of the Philippines on the western side of the Philippines archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and the territorial seas of Bajo de Masinloc and the maritime features of the KIG, shall be collectively called the WPS.
Meanwhile, ninety Chinese naval and coast guard vessels were monitored in the vicinity of four key features in the WPS last month.
From 62 in February, a total of 90 Chinese vessels including 32 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships were spotted the following month operating in the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Philippine Navy spokesman for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Armed Forces of the Philippines has records of “persistent and unauthorized presence” of Chinese vessels in Philippine waters during the last four weeks.
“Despite these challenges, the Armed Forces of the Philippines remains steadfast. We will continue to document every intrusion and maintain a disciplined, professional presence to protect our national patrimony,” Trinidad maintained. — Michael Punongbayan
