MANILA, Philippines – Sinabi ng Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) nitong Sabado, Hunyo 15 na ang pagsusulong ng blue economy sa bansa ay hindi lamang magpapalakas sa ekonomiya nito kundi isang epektibong solusyon din sa mga isyu sa West Philippine Sea.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni PRRM president Edicio dela Torre na ang lupain ng bansa ay nasa 300,000 square kilometers habang ang exclusive economic zone ay may lawak na 2.2 million square kilometers.
“Therefore, we need not delve into topics like global trade and our seafarers when discussing the concept of the blue economy. The concept of a blue economy addresses the entire issue,” ani Dela Torre.
Ang blue economy ay tumutukoy sa integrated, holistic, cross-sectoral, at cross-stakeholder approach para sa isang ‘sustainable, resilient, at inclusive’ na paggamit, pamamahala, pangangasiwa at konserbasyon ng mga karagatan, marine at coastal resources maging ang ecosystems para sa economic growth.
Bahagi ang PRRM ng Atin Ito coalition, na kamakailan ay naglunsad ng dalawang civilian-led missions para mamahagi ng pagkain at gasolina sa mga mangingisda sa West Philippine Sea sa harap ng agresibong aksyon ng mga Chinese.
Suportado ng grupo ang panukalang Blue Economy Act na kasama sa priority legislative agenda ng Marcos administration.
Layon ng panukala na palakasin ang sustainable development at maayos na pamamahala sa marine wealth sa
maritime domains ng bansa, kabilang ang exclusive economic zone.
Target nito ang institusyonalisasyon ng pagbuo ng comprehensive framework para sa sustainable development ng marine at coastal resources, at palakasin ang inter-agency, cross-sectoral, at multi-stakeholder coordination.
“Sustainability will not be achieved if it doesn’t also enhance the income and livelihood of people. We should transcend what may seem abstract, focusing not just on rights but also on livelihood—the source of life and sustenance for our citizens,” pahayag ni Dela Torre, na nagsisilbi ring co-convenor ng Atin Ito.
“The blue economy is so vast that if you can’t defend the West Philippine Sea, you can’t develop it,” pagpapatuloy niya.
“The hot issue now is the West Philippine Sea. If we can’t even assert and develop what has been internationally recognized as ours, others will say, ‘If you can’t even take care of the small ones, how much more the larger ones?”
Pagpapatuloy, isinusulong din ng PRRM ang pagtatayo ng Center for West Philippine Sea Studies para sa mas malalim at maigting na information dissemination sa WPS.
“We need extensive discussions, studies, debates and a deepening of understanding so that we cannot just fully grasp but also appreciate it,” ani Dela Torre.
“Even if the policy is good and there’s a budget for it, without a dedicated agency and dedicated personnel focusing on it, it will be overlooked,” dagdag niya. RNT/JGC
