NAMRIA: The West Philippine Sea is labelled clearly on this map, newly released by NAMRIA on Feb. 18, 2026.
MANILA — The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) on Wednesday reaffirmed that the West Philippine Sea (WPS) has appeared on all official Philippine maps for more than a decade, following renewed public debate over the country’s maritime boundaries and the depiction of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
In a public advisory, the agency said the Philippines has formally used the name “West Philippine Sea” since 2012, when then‑President Benigno Aquino III issued Administrative Order No. 29 directing all government agencies to adopt the label in reference to maritime areas west of the archipelago.
“In accordance with this policy, NAMRIA places the label consistently across its official maps and charts,” the agency said. “These materials serve as technical reference documents for navigation, geographic information, and maritime safety.”
Policy Basis and International Standards
NAMRIA clarified that the WPS label appears on its administrative, topographic, thematic, and nautical charts, all of which are used by government agencies, researchers, and mariners. The agency said the naming convention is aligned with the country’s legal and diplomatic position on the South China Sea.
The agency also emphasized that the Philippines’ EEZ is defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which grants coastal states sovereign rights over waters extending 200 nautical miles from their baselines. As a result, NAMRIA stated that the maritime boundary cannot be reduced to a short list of fixed coordinates.
“A short list of coordinates would not accurately describe the maritime limit,” NAMRIA said. “The boundary is represented using precise geospatial data derived from the archipelagic baselines defined under Republic Act 9522.”
Legal Framework and Mapping Authority
Republic Act No. 9522, enacted in 2009, updated the Philippines’ archipelagic baselines to comply with UNCLOS. The law provides the technical foundation for determining the country’s maritime zones, including the WPS portion of the South China Sea.
NAMRIA said its nautical charts follow international hydrographic standards and are used by both Philippine and foreign vessels navigating waters under Philippine jurisdiction. These charts are submitted to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), ensuring that Philippine maritime data is incorporated into global navigation systems.
“NAMRIA’s mandate is to produce accurate and reliable geospatial information for the country,” the agency said. “By maintaining scientifically correct maps and internationally compliant nautical charts, the agency contributes to maritime safety, environmental management, disaster preparedness, and proper documentation of national territory.”
Context of Renewed Public Debate
The agency’s clarification comes amid heightened public discussion and political claims questioning whether the WPS is properly represented on official maps and whether updated charts have been transmitted to the United Nations.
While NAMRIA did not address specific political statements, it reiterated that its role is technical rather than diplomatic, and that its maps reflect internationally recognized standards and Philippine law.
The reaffirmation also comes as tensions continue in the WPS, where Philippine vessels have reported repeated harassment from Chinese ships near Ayungin Shoal and other areas within the country’s EEZ. Philippine officials have frequently cited NAMRIA’s maps and charts as part of the country’s evidence in asserting its maritime rights.
“We will continue to support national sovereignty and sound resource management through accurate geospatial data,” NAMRIA said.
