Embracing our identity as a maritime nation

There are many ways to characterize the Philippines as a nation. We have a young, robust population. We are the second-largest archipelagic country. We have more sea than land, and our coastline is the fourth-longest in the world. We belong to the 18 mega-diverse countries in the world. We are a maritime nation.

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The current administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has acknowledged our identity as a maritime nation. Our maritime identity is “an intrinsic and undeniable part of the national Filipino character,” he said during the ceremonial signing of the historic Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act in November last year.

And when he talked about the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) during the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense summit held in Singapore in May 2024, he said it was intended to bolster the Philippines’ capacity to protect its waters and maritime resources.

Indeed, the opportunities for a maritime nation such as ours are immense. Our resources are vast, and our potential is high. We would be able to enhance food security by promoting responsible fisheries and aquaculture, drive economic growth by expanding marine-based industries such as tourism and shipbuilding while creating more jobs, and strengthen energy security through offshore wind projects.

As a result, the Philippines can generate more jobs, boost local industries, and improve the quality of life for its people while ensuring the sustainable use of its vast marine resources.