Marcos issues MC promoting Philippines' maritime awareness

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. issued Memorandum Circular No. 87 directing all government agencies to promote awareness of the Philippines as a maritime and archipelagic nation.

The directive mandates harmonization, integration, and synchronization of efforts among government agencies and instrumentalities towards sustainable development, security, and protection of the country's maritime domain and heritage.

The National Maritime Council (NMC) is designated to lead in formulating year-round programs and activities to enhance national consciousness about the Philippines' maritime zones.

Government agencies are mandated to support these initiatives while local government units and the private sector are encouraged to provide assistance in fostering inter-agency cooperation.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has been directed to implement communication strategies for information dissemination to engage the public in supporting the programs during the annual Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo).

These efforts aim to protect the country's maritime domain and heritage through sustainable development, security, and awareness campaigns, aligning with constitutional mandates and recent legislation like Republic Act 12064 and RA 12065.