Lawmaker supports exploration of Benham Rise

MANILA, Philippines - Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara yesterday said the Aquino administration would do well to explore possible natural resources the country may derive from Benham Rise.

Also known as Benham Plateau, the 13-million-hectare continental shelf off the east coast of Luzon was declared by the United Nations last April as part of Philippine territory.

“I see no reason why we should not look into the possibilities that this gift from God can offer,” Angara said.

He said the area, which serves as fishing ground for deep-water fish such as blue fin tuna, is also believed to be rich in natural gas and manganese nodules.

Angara urged Malacañang to order an in-depth study on the country’s newly declared territory so that it can anticipate and map out a comprehensive blueprint on how to deal with the benefits it can present.

“I believe in opportunities, in possibilities. These are the things that we must not fail to capitalize and to take advantage of,” he said.

“If there will be legislation that would be needed and required in the future, count me in, I will help,” he added.

At the same time, Angara voiced “serious concern” over recent reports that a number of foreign fishermen have been ‘exploiting’ Benham Rise even after it was declared as part of the country’s undersea continental shelf.

“Of course we want to get the full assurance of our Navy and Coast Guard officials that no foreign vessels, commercial or otherwise, are trespassing within our legal territory,” he said.

“This may probably be an appropriate time to talk about strengthening the country’s naval force. We obviously need to beef up our Navy’s and Coast Guard’s capability to prevent incursions in our maritime territories,” he said.

Angara called on the Philippine Coast Guard to closely monitor and report all activities in that the newly declared Philippine domain.

He warned authorities of another possible “territorial standoff” with another foreign country should the government fail in aggressively protecting all its legitimate territories.

The Philippines is currently locked in a territorial dispute with China over Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, a rock formation 124 miles from Zambales and more than 400 miles from the nearest Chinese land mass.