The Philippines is considering declaring Pag-asa (Thitu) Island and the eastern part of the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratly Group of Islands) as maritime protected areas (MPA), National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said on Wednesday. These areas are within the exclusive economic of the country. “With an MPA in place, we aim to institutionalize and promote efforts towards environmental and marine biodiversity protection within the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (South China Sea),” Esperon said.

Reyes, D. (2019, April 25). Esperon wants Pag-asa Island declared protected area. The Manila Times, p. A8.