Roi Anthoni B. Lomotan
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 21 (PIA) – The Philippine
Information Agency (PIA) – Negros Oriental, in cooperation with the Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will hold two separate forums on West Philippine Sea
in the city on July 23.
The first event is a Multi-Sectoral
Forum on West Philippine which will take place at 8:00 in the morning at Bethel
Guest House.
Participants are representatives
from the local government, national government agencies, business, religious,
law enforcement and security, civil society, education and fisherfolk and
sectors in the province.
On the other hand, selected students
from different schools Dumaguete City will gather at Silliman Hall inside
Silliman University for a campus forum on the abovementioned topic.
This is part of the national
government’s campaign to raise the public’s awareness on issues relating
to West Philippine Sea, particularly on why the Philippine government
seeks arbitration from an international tribunal, our entitlement on the
disputed territory and other historical, economic and legal concerns.
DFA Spokesperson and Assistant Sec.
Charles Jose will grace these fora to discuss core issues, the overarching
principles that guide Philippines’ response to the issue and the steps being
undertaken by the government to address this concern.
These fora on West Philippine Sea issue
are part of a series of briefings conducted by the DFA in different provinces
and regions throughout the country.
Similar forums were also held in Cebu
City, Palawan, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, Subic, Olongapo, Laoag City, and
Vigan City.
Asec. Jose will arrive in Dumaguete
City on July 22 and is also scheduled to guest in different media programs as
part strengthening government’s information drive on the issue. (rmn/ral/PIA7-Negros
Oriental)