*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope, PhD EdD
While watching a YouTube documentary about the West Philippine Sea, while having a sip buko juice and eating grillled tilapia freshly delivered from the Timpuyog Pilipinas aqua-farming livelihood program in Nueva Viscaya, I found myself asking why the burden seems to fall primarily on the Secretary of National Defense. Shouldn’t this be a national concern that all Filipinos share and actively take responsibility for?
As an academician, a public safety advocate, and a political analyst, I have spent years observing the intricate interplay between governance, security, and citizen welfare. Among the pressing issues that demand urgent attention is the West Philippine Sea (WPS). It is not merely a maritime boundary dispute; it is a matter that affects the livelihoods, security, and sovereignty of the entire Philippines. While the immediate impacts are most visible in coastal provinces such as Palawan, Zambales, and Cagayan, the reality is that no province is insulated from the consequences of tension or conflict in these waters. Every governor, irrespective of geographic location, has a role in engaging in the protection of this strategic maritime domain (Council on Foreign Relations, 2024).
The WPS is deeply intertwined with the economic life of the nation. Coastal communities depend on the sea’s rich marine resources for survival. I recall visiting a small fishing village in Palawan, where fishermen shared stories of foreign vessels encroaching on traditional fishing grounds. Nets were torn, livelihoods disrupted, and families faced uncertainty about their next meal. What struck me was the interconnectedness of this struggle: the disruption of one community’s income has ripple effects across provinces. Fishing is not an isolated activity; it supports local markets, sustains supply chains, and impacts food security nationwide. The WPS also serves as a critical maritime route for trade, linking islands and facilitating the flow of goods. Any blockade or disruption, whether from conflict or political tension, reverberates throughout the nation, affecting markets, prices, and households far from the coast (Philippine Information Agency, 2025).
Environmental stewardship is another dimension that cannot be overlooked. The sea supports diverse ecosystems, from coral reefs to endangered marine species, which are critical for maintaining ecological balance. Environmental degradation, whether caused by overfishing, pollution, or foreign incursions, threatens not only local economies but also provinces far removed from the WPS. Altered weather patterns, loss of biodiversity, and reduced availability of natural resources eventually reach every corner of the archipelago. Through my years of public safety advocacy, I have learned that protecting these waters is tantamount to safeguarding the nation’s ecological and economic future (Science, 2024).
The issue becomes even more urgent when considering the possibility of war. What if tensions escalate into an armed conflict between the Philippines and China over the WPS? The ramifications would extend far beyond coastal communities. Trade would be disrupted, supply chains blocked, and basic goods might become scarce, causing economic hardship across all provinces. More alarmingly, any province could become a potential target of attack, especially those in coastal areas. Ports, naval facilities, and even civilian settlements near the shoreline could face direct threat. Governors would suddenly find themselves at the forefront of emergency response, civil defense, and public safety coordination. Hospitals, transportation networks, and essential services would be tested, and no province would be truly insulated from the effects of conflict. As a political analyst, I recognize that such a scenario is not merely hypothetical; it is a realistic risk that requires preemptive planning, coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and constant communication with communities to minimize casualties and disruption (United States Institute of Peace, 2024).
Governors also have a critical advocacy role. Public statements, local policies, and collaboration with national agencies strengthen the Philippines’ sovereignty and international standing. Supporting international legal decisions, such as the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, is essential not only for symbolic reasons but also for reinforcing legitimacy in diplomatic and strategic arenas. Advocacy should be integrated with education programs, community engagement, and preparedness drills to cultivate a sense of national ownership and collective responsibility over the WPS (Maritime Review, 2024; War on the Rocks, 2024).
On a human level, the WPS issue is deeply personal. Every dispute, every encroachment, affects real people—the families struggling to survive, the traders whose livelihoods depend on uninterrupted commerce, and communities living in a state of uncertainty. Leadership in this context is not simply administrative; it is moral. Every policy, every act of coordination, every message sent by a governor can save lives, protect livelihoods, and reinforce the nation’s sovereignty. As an academician and public safety advocate, I reflect constantly on how governance decisions resonate at the community level. As a political analyst, I understand that unified action and coherent policy signal that the Philippines remains sovereign and resilient.
Provincial leadership like that in my book of Supergovernor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr of South Cotabato, the president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines can take tangible forms. Governors can initiate local monitoring of maritime activities, coordinate with national defense agencies, and develop early warning systems for environmental and security risks. They can engage universities, research institutions, and civic organizations to promote awareness of the WPS and its broader implications. By fostering collaboration among provinces, governors can enhance resource sharing, strategic coordination, and community resilience. These actions are more than administrative tasks—they reflect a deep commitment to citizens’ welfare and national dignity (Council on Foreign Relations, 2024; Philippine Information Agency, 2025).
In conclusion, the West Philippine Sea is far more than a regional concern; it is a national imperative. Every governor, regardless of proximity, has a responsibility to protect sovereignty, ensure economic stability, safeguard environmental resources, and prepare communities for potential disruptions, including the unthinkable scenario of war. Any province, especially those along the coast, could be directly affected by conflict, making proactive governance essential. Leadership requires strategic foresight, empathy, and a commitment to collective national welfare. For me, as an academician, public safety advocate, and political analyst, the WPS is a vivid reminder that governance is measured not merely by policies but by the tangible security, dignity, and prosperity it guarantees to citizens. Protecting the WPS is not simply a local duty—it is a shared national responsibility that reflects the Philippines’ resilience, unity, and commitment to its people.
References
Council on Foreign Relations. (2024, September 17). Territorial disputes in the South China Sea. https://www.cfr.org/global-
Maritime Review. (2024). The problematic West Philippine Sea. https://maritimereview.ph/the-
Philippine Information Agency. (2025, March 12). Youths embrace Philippine sovereignty in West Philippine Sea. https://pia.gov.ph/youths-
Science. (2024, August 15). West Philippine Sea dispute threatens sea life. https://www.science.org/doi/
United States Institute of Peace. (2024, June 13). Boiling the frog: China’s incrementalist maritime expansion. https://www.usip.org/
War on the Rocks. (2024, December 11). Archipelago of resistance: The Philippines is rising to meet the China threat, but it has a crucial year ahead. https://warontherocks.com/
