ILOILO CITY, Philippines – In what could be the first of its kind, the provincial government of Iloilo has enacted an ordinance mandating the integration of West Philippine Sea (WPS) lessons into the curriculum of all public and private schools across the province.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. signed the Iloilo Legislative Ordinance for Values Formation Through Education on the West Philippine Sea, or I-LOVE WPS, last February 6. The landmark ordinance requires the inclusion of WPS-related topics in the basic education curricula in the province’s 42 towns and Passi City.

“We have to admit that the youth, even the older people, are not aware of what WPS is. I noticed that the children have a very shallow understanding of the WPS,” Sangguniang Panlungsod Board Member Rolando Distura told Rappler.

Distura authored the ordinance that was sponsored by Jason Gonzales, chairperson of the committee on education and information.

Distura said the integration of WPS in basic education aims to instill patriotism and strengthen national consciousness at an early age, especially amid China’s maritime harassment and aggressive narratives on social media.

“The highest love we can give is our love for our country, the patrimonial love for our country, and that should be our focus — to inculcate these values [in] the young ones,” he said.

While Iloilo is geographically distant from WPS, Distura stressed that the issue remains relevant to Ilonggos, citing its implications on national food security, livelihoods for millions of fisherfolk, and the country’s economic growth.

“We should care because it is part of our country. It should be relevant to all of us. Though it is far from us, it is part of the Philippines,” he added.

The provincial government is eyeing the rollout of the program this June, at the start of the next school year. Topics that will be covered include WPS’ historical background, legal foundations, and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling.

Distura said the ordinance does not duplicate national efforts but instead supports existing initiatives of the Department of Education (DepEd).

“We’re just trying to reinforce. We’re helping to strengthen the program that DepEd currently has for WPS,” he said.

A technical working group (TWG) created under the ordinance will study and craft the framework for implementation, including lesson plans, instructional materials, and awareness programs for schools.

Defensor will chair the TWG, with Gonzales and the superintendent of DepEd-Iloilo as vice chairpersons.

The Iloilo Provincial Education Management Office will assist in developing the materials. PEMO is a provincial government arm that oversees policy formulation, planning, and resource coordination for basic education across Iloilo’s public schools.

The ordinance also designates every second Wednesday of September as “I Love WPS Day in Iloilo,” where the provincial government will lead activities to promote consciousness of the country’s maritime identity, heritage, and resources. The celebration aligns with the country’s Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month.

A P1-million fund has been allocated through a supplemental budget to kickstart the program, with funding expected to be integrated into the province’s annual investment plans.

Distura underscored the urgency of strengthening public awareness on the ground amid continued harassment incidents of Chinese vessels toward Filipino fisherfolk.

“There should be a very, very clear, very dynamic strengthening of discussion on the ground, especially on the education of our children,” he said.

The local lawmaker also stressed that it is high time for DepEd to make WPS education a mandatory subject across public and private schools.

DepEd has announced plans to further embed WPS topics into existing subjects such as Araling Panlipunan for Grades 4, 6, and 10, in coordination with the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea.

As of February 2026, House Bill No. 1625 and Senate Bill No. 1625 — two measures mandating WPS education from elementary to college — remain pending. – Rappler.com

Iloilo pioneers mandatory West Philippine Sea lessons in basic education