With the sudden issue of the internationally named Benham Rise seemingly expecting the same fate as that of the debated Spratleys islands, congress has fast-tracked a resolution creating a P100-million trust fund for Philippine Rise's scientific research and more!
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| Benham Rise (Philippine Rise - Photo from Wikipedia) |
The grant includes feasibility studies, marine exploration and procurement of new equipment to beef up research capability in the aforementioned area. Earlier, President
Rodrigo Duterte banned foreign scientific exploration in the Philippine Rise.
“Scientific surveys and marine explorations showed that the Philippine Rise is rich in marine resources and massive mineral and gas deposits which can help the country achieve energy sufficiency. The award of the Philippine Rise to the Philippines by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf increased the areas of seabed subject to our country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction, prompting the amendment of our existing submarine maps, which will likewise be used as the reference point by potential investors,” the resolution, written by Ilocos Sur District 1 Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano, said.
The 13-million-hectare underwater land mass, believed to be rich in maritime resources, lies 250 kilometers off the east coast of Luzon.
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| Philippine Rise (Benham Rise - Photo from Wikipedia) |
“The President ordered that henceforth only Filipinos will be allowed to conduct scientific research... and explore and exploit for natural resources in the Philippine Rise,” a spokesman said.
Six years ago, the United Nations recognized the Philippines’ exclusive economic rights to Benham Rise since the continental shelf extends its part into the area.
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