President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued a powerful call to action on Tuesday, urging all Filipinos to unite in protecting the country’s seas and shores as the nation celebrates Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) 2025. The President emphasized that effective stewardship of the nation’s maritime domain is critical for safeguarding national sovereignty and securing the future for generations to come.
In his message, President Marcos highlighted that the celebration of MANA Mo is a “clarion call to rediscover and reclaim our provenance as a seafaring nation.” He stressed the vital role of the seas as “the richest reservoirs of food and the widest corridors of trade,” underscoring their importance to the country’s economic and strategic growth.
“As we continue building a Bagong Pilipinas, let us unite our people towards caring for our seas and shores, for we care to protect not only our nation’s sovereignty but also those who will inherit our legacy,” the President said.
The President noted the government’s commitment to this cause through the work of the National Maritime Council and the Presidential Office for Maritime Concerns, which are tasked with sustaining the growth of Philippine agriculture, energy, commerce, and science.
“Effective maritime governance… requires foresight equal to its scale, the capacity to translate geography into strategy, and stewardship into prosperity,” he added.
President Marcos also urged institutions, communities, and leaders to embrace their roles in this national effort. He called on institutions “to align science with law,” encouraged communities “to embrace stewardship as identity,” and challenged leaders “to govern with horizons beyond their own time.”
“In mastering our seas lies the strength of our economy, the safety of our communities, and the dignity of our sovereignty,” President Marcos concluded.
