MASINLOC, Zambales — The Zambales provincial government marked the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the West Philippine Sea on Friday by reaffirming its support for the country’s maritime rights and expanding assistance to coastal communities, with 3,500 fisherfolk families receiving fishing gear, livelihood equipment and food packs.

Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the landmark Hague ruling affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its maritime resources and underscored the need to continue protecting the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea.

“The wealth of our seas belongs to the Filipino people,” Ebdane said during the anniversary program themed “Bayanihan sa Karagatan: Liwanag ng Kalayaan, Tanglaw ng Karagatan.” He said defending the country’s sovereignty requires unity and collective action.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. joined senior officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in leading the distribution of assistance to fisherfolk from coastal communities across Zambales.

Ebdane reiterated the provincial government’s support for the national government’s position on the West Philippine Sea, noting that Zambales was among the local government units consulted during the legal proceedings that resulted in the 2016 arbitral ruling.

He also cited the province’s longstanding claim over Bajo de Masinloc, recalling that the Masinloc Municipal Council passed a resolution in March 2011 declaring the disputed shoal, also known as Scarborough Shoal, as part of the municipality’s territorial jurisdiction.

The governor said the province continues to prioritize programs that improve the welfare and livelihood of local fishermen, whom he described as symbols of the country’s presence in the West Philippine Sea.

Among the initiatives announced were the organization of fishermen’s cooperatives, deployment of additional fish aggregating devices or payao, acquisition of rescue boats, and procurement of steel-hulled motorized fishing vessels to support offshore fishing operations.

The provincial government is also expanding training on deep-sea fishing and developing coordinated maritime patrols and an early warning system to strengthen community-based coastal preparedness, Ebdane said.

The anniversary program also featured community activities and a concert commemorating the 2016 arbitral ruling.

“We celebrate today with hope because the law and the truth are on our side,” Ebdane said. “Together, let us continue to stand for our fishermen, our seas, and our country.”