In a bid to strengthen the claim of the country in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the provincial board here has stepped closer to adopting a resolution, naming the sandbars and reefs situated within 12 nautical miles of Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town. In his privilege speech delivered Tuesday in the provincial board’s regular session, Board Member Ryan Maminta said the resolution that the municipality of Kalayaan recently adopted to name the sandbars and reefs within its jurisdiction could change the current situation in the disputed waters. “Ito ay sinususugan natin sa pamamagitan ng isang ordinansa kung saan pinagtitibay natin ang pangalan na ipinasa ng munisipyo ng Kalayaan,” he said.

Magdayao, A. G. (2020, August 20). Palawan prov'l board to adopt resolution naming sandbars, reef near Pag-asa Island. Manila Bulletin, p. 5.