Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Navy visited the National Coast Watch Council Secretariat (Secretariat) on 17 August 2023, at the Mabini Hall, Malacañang, Manila, for the conduct of Youth Empowerment Seminars for the West Philippine Sea and Other Maritime Security Challenges (#YESWPS).

#YESWPS is a proactive youth stakeholder engagement toward cultivating knowledge and appreciation, as well as raising the consciousness of youths about the Philippines’ maritime and archipelagic nature, particularly the West Philippine Sea. Undersecretary Edmund S. Tayao, the Executive Director of the Secretariat, welcomed the Philippine Navy, which was led by CDR Tiffany Ticao PN(GSC) from the Office of the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Civil Military Operations, N7.

#YESWPS was first introduced in 2022, when over 1,800 young people from academic institutions, non-government organizations (NGOs), and communities nationwide attended the conducted webinars and a hybrid event. The Philippine Navy also partnered with the National Coast Watch Council and National Youth Commission for the 2022 #YESWPS, as part of the 2022 Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo).

During the meeting, the Secretariat expressed its openness yet again to coordinate and collaborate with the Philippine Navy in pursuing the advocacies of #YESWPS, which are aligned with the MANA Mo objectives. The first General Assembly of #YESWPS will be held on 30 September 2023 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Headquarters Philippine Navy, Naval Station Jose Andrada, 2335 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, with the theme “The Youth: An Indispensable Partner for Maritime Security and Development.” Undersecretary Tayao will serve as a keynote speaker at the aforesaid event. Further, the Secretariat assured the Philippine Navy of its commitment to support #YESWPS and other related future collaborations.