September is Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (also known as MANAMo), a time to celebrate the Philippines’ sea heritage while facing hard questions about stewardship and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. Created by Proclamation No. 316 in 2017, the observance links our identity as an archipelago to everyday concerns, from food security to safe fishing and national defense. This year’s theme is “Nagkakaisang Kapuluan, Panatag na Karagatan” (United Archipelago, Peaceful Seas).
Why the seas matter now
More than 7,600 islands depend on healthy waters and open routes for trade. Fish prices, coastal livelihoods, and disaster risks are all shaped by what happens offshore. Climate change strains reefs and mangroves. Illegal and destructive fishing hurts communities that already live close to the margin. These realities make awareness month more than ceremonial; it becomes a spur for action.
Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month and the WPS
This year’s conversations unfold against renewed friction in the West Philippine Sea. Filipino fishermen continue to report restrictions and hazards near key grounds such as Bajo de Masinloc. Manila has filed protests over moves by China that would tighten control around the shoal, arguing these steps undermine Philippine rights affirmed under international law. For many coastal families in Zambales and Palawan, maritime policy isn’t abstract: it’s the difference between a safe return and a lost day’s catch.
From theme to action
Recent themes have pushed stewardship across generations, urging Filipinos to treat marine wealth as a legacy that must be cared for today to be enjoyed tomorrow. Agencies coordinate coastal cleanups, science talks, and exhibits. Schools put the spotlight on maritime geography and the basics of sea law. Embassies amplify the message for the diaspora. Civil society, for its part, presses for tougher enforcement against illegal fishing, better support for small-scale fishers, and stronger disaster readiness in low-lying communities.
Linking identity, livelihood, and security
Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month reminds us that the sea is not only a border; it is a lifeline. Protecting it is both environmental duty and civic work. That means rebuilding reefs and mangroves, improving patrol and monitoring, and ensuring fisherfolk have the gear, shelters, and market access to thrive. It also means understanding why incidents in contested waters ripple into food supply, jobs, and local prices.
