QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9522)
RA 9522 amended Section 1 of Republic Act No. 3046 (as amended by RA 5446) to define and describe the Philippine archipelagic baseline (including the list of basepoints and their coordinates) and for related purposes.
It defines and describes the Philippines archipelagic baselines by enumerating basepoints (e.g., PAB-01, PAB-02, etc.) with their station names, locations, and World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS 84) coordinates, plus the distance to the next basepoint.
The coordinates are given using the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS 84).
Section 2 states that in these areas, the baseline is determined as a 'Regime of Islands' consistent with Article 121 of UNCLOS.
The Kalayaan Island Group (as constituted under Presidential Decree No. 1596) and Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.
Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
It indicates that the entitlement and baseline treatment for these features must follow the UNCLOS framework on 'islands' and their capacity to generate maritime zones, rather than purely using the archipelagic baseline approach.
It affirms that the Philippines has dominion, sovereignty, and jurisdiction over all portions of national territory as defined by the Constitution and applicable laws.
Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended.
Section 4 requires that the act, together with the geographic coordinates and the charts/maps indicating the baselines, shall be deposited and registered with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) must forthwith produce and publish charts and maps showing the delineation of basepoints and baselines.
They must clearly represent the delineation of basepoints and baselines as set forth in the Act, at an appropriate scale.
The amount necessary is to be provided in a supplemental budget or included in the General Appropriations Act of the year of its enactment into law.
Under Section 7, the other portions not affected continue to be in full force and effect (separability clause).
Section 8 states that laws and issuances inconsistent with RA 9522 are amended or modified accordingly.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.