UP's Batongbacal says blue economy should be considered in maritime affairs

University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea director Jay Batongbacal said that the blue economy should be a key consideration in managing the country’s maritime affairs and handling of its resources.

Blue economy, according to the World Bank, refers to the ''sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.''

“For communities whose livelihoods are inextricably linked to the sea, traditional economic models often fall short, leaving them underserved by national funding allocations,” Batongbacal said in a recent talk at the Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi.

Batongbacal said UP is stepping up to address the need to prioritize the blue economy with the launching of the Archipelagic and Oceanic Virtual University (AOVU)—a groundbreaking initiative poised to reshape how the nation manages its marine resources.

The maritime law expert said that by embracing the blue economy and prioritizing sustainable development, the AOVU aims to empower communities, strengthen governance, and unlock the vast potential of the archipelago's marine resources.

“As the Philippines navigates the complex challenges of the 21st century, the AOVU stands as a beacon of innovation and a testament to the transformative power of education,” he said.

The AOVU is seen to strengthen and empower the Philippines to take possession of its territory and utilize its sovereign rights over its resources, according to Batongbacal, adding that “this will also help operationalize the Blue Economy Act once it is passed.”

He said that the university is committed to transforming how the Philippines interacts with its maritime environment.

He added that the AOVU initiative seeks to correct the historical imbalance that has favored land-based development, finally giving the sea its due attention.

One of the initiative’s goals is to cultivate a strong pool of experts and talents who are part of a national, regional, and global network, driving planning, implementation, academic research, and innovation programs.

“This network will be further strengthened by establishing offshore research centers in the West Philippine Sea, the Pacific Seaboard, and the Sulu-Celebes Sea, directly addressing the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these crucial marine areas,” Batongbacal said.

He said the AOVU will initially offer four master's degree programs:

• Archipelagic Blue Economics and Engineering
• Economic Security and Integrity
• Archipelagic and Oceanic Environment
• Archipelagic Social Studies

These programs reflect a transdisciplinary approach, integrating diverse fields of study to provide a holistic understanding of the complex issues facing the archipelago, according to the maritime law expert.

The AOVU, he said, will embrace a “decentralized, personalized, and self-paced learning model.”

Batongbacal said that despite cutbacks in education in the recent national budget, the initiative can continue.

The Senate has a similar educational initiative—the Center for West Philippine Sea Studies. It is pending in Congress along with the National West Philippine Sea Day. — VBL, GMA Integrated News