Youth eyed in asserting Philippines sovereignty in West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — The National Youth Commission (NYC) is planning to tap the Filipino youth and student leaders in a program exposing them to the plight of people living in or close to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The program will be part of an awareness campaign to assert the country’s sovereignty in the WPS.

The NYC has entered into a partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for the purpose.

The agreement was signed by PCG Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, NYC chairman Joseph Francisco Ortega and PIA director general Katherine de Castro in Manila yesterday.

Ortega said the NYC could help make youth leaders and residents more aware of the fight for the WPS by holding seminars such as basic life support, and water safety and rescue.

He said he is thinking of holding immersion activities that would bring students and youth leaders to Pag-asa Island, an area in the town of Kalayaan in Palawan.

“We can spearhead it and encourage the youth if we will be allowed to visit the island,” Ortega said.

The NYC said not all young Filipinos understand the issue involving the WPS.

“They would only be able to relate by using their hearts, minds or their stomachs,” it said.