New Ph Territory: Benham Rise
Benham Rise – Many are saying the Philippines is the richest country in the world because of the natural resources the country have. And these natural resources are the reasons why there are a lot of countries who took an interest in claiming these natural treasures.
Have you read the article talking about Deuterium in the Philippines (Deuterium: Make Philippines The Richest Country In The World)? For sure you too have doubted why is it our government is not prioritizing this one.
Well, here’s another one and for sure you have heard about the Benham Rise. This area is bigger than the country’s biggest island which is Luzon. This area potentially contains steel-producing minerals and natural gas that is used for domestic exportation or consumption.
Benham Rise is a 13-million hectare area off the coast of Aurora province. This area was recently confirmed by the United Nations (UN) as a part of the Philippines’ continental shelf and territory.
As reported in Philippine Daily Inquirer story, Ramon Paje said, “We own Benham Rise now.” He even added, “This is for future Filipinos.”
And what’s good is that no country claims the area unlike Scarborough Shoal and other islands and territory of the South China Sea.
Benham Rise is an underwater plateau which is already a part of Philippine continental territory and is rich in living and non-living resources like minerals and gas.
According to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the continental territory is comprised of seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas 200 nautical miles, or 370 km, from a State’s baselines or the so-called “edges.”
Also, the UNCLCS or the United Nations Commissions on the Limits of the Continental Shelf approved that Benham Rise is the extended continental shelf of the Philippines years after the country filed and defend it before the United Nations commission.
According to Jay Batongbacal, a marine law expert, it is now up to the Philippines to make a law or executive order establishing the boundaries of its territory.
Benham Rise is believed to contain a large amount of heavy metals like manganese. The area is also a rich source of natural gas.
“We’ve been saying this in the past. This country can provide for its own energy.” Paje said.
Watch the video:
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I suggest to our government to start putting a landmark as to the extent of our territorial claim covering the Benham Rise. If not, we might wake up in the next morning and Chinese are already there claiming that it is their own. They are giant and they can bully us anytime. Take action ahead of them and we should be wiser now.
The new President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte must make a priority action for Philippines’ ownership and exploration.
Too late. China is on its way now.
Guess what is the reason why China is claiming the entire China Sea? Its because most of the countries claiming ownership has no ability to defend these territories. That is just how it is in the wild west if you have the gun you can shoot it out to stake your claim. Since the Philippines has no Navy capable of patrolling and enforcing the bounderies it is at the mercy of the U.S. who will help but will not start the fight for you. You have to start a fight so these Chinese occupiers will think twice. Its about time for the people of the Philippines show their love for the country by becoming a hero and show you are ready to die for it.
They are drawing ancient maps as we speak..
another treasure for the phillipines its up for the government to develop it???
Amazing dicovery for the philippines
As the country nearest to this plateau, it is our responsibility to take good care of it. Yes, for formality purposes, we may lay claims to this area. But this doesn’t mean that it is for us to go on and exploiting its riches. This is the danger that I see in us, humans, every time that we discover something like this. I just hope that if ever we do get to claim this formally, we would concentrate more on protecting it rather than exhausting it’s natural resources and eventually, destroying it completely in the end.
Sana mapag-tuunan ng pansin ng ating bagong presidente ito, dahil maraming bagay ito na makakatulong sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Paglagakan sana ni Presidente Duterte ng malaking pondo ito, kasi mga pilipino rin ang makikinabang nito at sa mga darating pang bagong henerasyon. At hindi na ito makakamkam ng mga intsik dahil malapit-malapit na ito sa teritoryo natin.”GO PHILLIPINES!, GO AND EXPLORE MORE”.
With this new discovery of the Benham Rise, I strongly suggest that the Philippine government under the new elected President, should include this in his priority list of “things to do” when he takes over his position as President and Commander in Chief.
Part of it extends up north parallel Off Cagayan Coast at the east and therefore Benham Rise is at the east of three provinces, Isabela, Cagayan and Aurora. I used to hear this area of our east Philippine sea when I was teaching in Palanan, Isabela in the 1970’s. This is where the natural habitat of fish are, very rich in natural marine resources no wonder there are a lot of Taiwanese vessels fishing in the area before. Our Philippine coast guard were no match of their vessels as they are very fast moving and therefore hard to apprehend. But there was a time that due to an approaching typhoon, the mother vessel equipped with very large refrigerated rooms have to seek shelter at Bicobian Cove that’s where members of the coast guard were able to apprehend them. There several Taiwanese fishermen around 30 including the ship captain and crew that were held as they fishing in Philippine waters and therefore violated our laws. Inside the vessels were big refrigerated rooms where different fish mostly tuna were found neatly hanged! I left the place in 1978 and its only now that indeed something is to be done by our authorities to protect this area of ours.
Philippines should stop corruption and focus its expenditures on really developing & defending the country. Waiting for Duterte to step on the plate, else… next batter please.
Bobonh & mico
I strongly agree! As a American bystander I sick of what China is doind boarding your county and others ! Your country must act fast & strong! I wish that you become successful in continuing your claim! Keep China out and away as far as possible befire they destroy that underwater beauty! Best of luck! I’m in your corner !
Better not to use the word “Territory” because people will misinterpret it. Continental shelf is the proper description which gives us the right to explore exclusively but not territory…
Philippines is now where The small and poor country of Norway wore around 1970. Norway did something that made The country today one of The richest country in The world. So You guys have 2 options:
1 Try to find out what Norway did and consider how to copy The good things Norway did and of course avoid The foolish things.
2: Make sure The Philippines go to big brother or Uncle (Sam), Make him come on his terms and agree to that.
A little Advice in The end: Without a strong policy against corruption it is better to leave it there as it is, it will not loose it’s value. With corruption The value will end up in private “pockets” and most of it will not benefit The Philippinos at all.