With the government in a better fiscal position to invest in manpower and equipment, Sen. Bam Aquino committed to support Filipino scientists and other government agencies closely working in the Philippine Rise.

“We should be investing in our own capacity to do research. Huwag dapat tayong laging dependent sa mga foreign partnerships,” said Sen. Bam as he presided over the investigation on the Philippine Rise as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“Pondohan natin ang mga proyektong makakabuti sa kinabukasan ng bansa. Let’s make the extra effort to support our scientists and ensure that we can maximize the Philippine Rise, and protect it from any threat,” said Sen. Bam

As vice chairman of the Committee on Finance, Sen. Bam said he will find ways to support Filipino scientists and other government agencies in their effort to protect and explore the Philippine Rise.

“Ngayong nakakabili na tayo ng gamit para sa modernisasyon ng ating Armed Forces, dapat na ring isabay ang pangangailangan ng ating mga scientist at iba pang ahensiya na katuwang sa pagsasaliksik at pagbibigay ng proteksiyon sa lugar,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the ideal scenario has Filipino scientists at the forefront of the research and exploration in the area.

During the Senate hearing, it was discovered that China conducted hydrographic surveys in the Philippine Rise without required consent of the Philippine government.

China recently named the five features found during their unauthorized research in the undersea territory through the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

In response, Sen. Bam stressed that the government must explore all channels to nullifyChina’s naming rights.

“Let’s be more vigilant with the Philippine Rise. Ipaglaban naman natin ito,” Sen. Bam said.