Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino hailed the submission of the “Talampas ng Pilipinas” (Philippine Rise) chart to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) as a significant victory for Philippine sovereignty.
Tolentino, chair of the Senate’s maritime and admiralty zones committee, called the move a breakthrough in the country’s efforts to gain global recognition of its maritime rights.
He emphasized that the submission is a crucial step in securing exclusive rights to the Talampas ng Pilipinas and its vast mineral resources.
The region, enshrined under the Philippine Maritime Zones Law, grants the country sovereign rights to explore and exploit seabed resources.
Tolentino thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Mission to the UN, and other agencies for their contributions to the initiative, which he views as a legacy for future generations of Filipinos.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 29, 2025
