ON THE “COORDINATES” QUESTION The Nationwide Mapping and Useful resource Info Authority issued this up to date map of the Philippines on Wednesday, hoping to make clear discussions on how the nation’s unique financial zone ought to be drawn. Earlier this month, a senator famous the dearth of any “particular computation or coordinates of the West Philippine Sea.” —IMAGE FROM NAMRIA
MANILA, Philippines — The Nationwide Mapping and Useful resource Info Authority (Namria) has launched an up to date official map exhibiting the West Philippine Sea and establishing the nation’s maritime limits, saying the illustration complies with home regulation and worldwide requirements.
In an announcement on Wednesday, Namria stated the up to date map persistently makes use of the title “West Philippine Sea,” consistent with authorities coverage adopted in 2012.
The label seems throughout the company’s official administrative, topographic and thematic maps, in addition to nautical charts used for navigation, it stated.
The company issued the clarification amid public dialogue on how the Philippines’ unique financial zone (EEZ) ought to be drawn on official maps.
READ: PH EEZ boundaries already outlined underneath worldwide regulation, says Carpio
The Namria-certified map was launched additionally amid renewed acrimony between Philippine and Chinese language officers on the West Philippine Sea dispute.
Additionally earlier this month, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta registered his remark throughout a plenary debate “that there has not been any particular computation or coordinates of the West Philippine Sea.”
It was a degree later rebutted by retired Supreme Court docket Senior Affiliate Justice Antonio Carpio, who stated the United Nations Conference on the Legislation of the Sea doesn’t require a coastal state to announce the coordinates of its EEZ.
Not straight-line segments
Echoing Carpio’s clarification, Namria stated that underneath worldwide regulation the EEZ extends as much as 200 nautical miles (370.4 kilometers) from the nation’s archipelagic baselines, making a steady curved boundary slightly than straight-line segments.
Due to this, the maritime restrict can’t be precisely represented by a shortlist of straight-line coordinates, the company stated.
Namria stated it was plotted utilizing exact geospatial information derived from the archipelagic baselines outlined underneath Republic Act No. 9522, or the archipelagic baselines regulation.
This enables mapping software program and navigation methods to find out the boundaries appropriately, it added.
The company additionally stated its nautical charts adjust to worldwide hydrographic requirements and are utilized by each Philippine and international vessels navigating waters underneath Philippine jurisdiction. These charts are submitted to technical our bodies, together with the Worldwide Hydrographic Group, it stated.
In assist of PH sovereignty
The up to date map and charts kind a part of the company’s mandate to provide correct and dependable geospatial info for maritime security, environmental administration, catastrophe preparedness and documentation of nationwide territory, in keeping with Namria.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
The company stated it should proceed to uphold this mandate in assist of nationwide sovereignty and sound useful resource administration. —GABRYELLE DUMALAG
