SENATOR Erwin Tulfo has renewed his call for the immediate passage of the proposed West Philippine Sea (WPS) Education Act following claims by Chinese scholars that Batanes is part of China’s territory.

Tulfo strongly rejected the assertions reportedly made during a June 30 academic symposium in China, where Chinese scholars allegedly described Batanes as a “natural geographical extension” of Taiwan and claimed that sovereignty over the province belongs to China.

“Before, they claimed that the West Philippine Sea is theirs. Now, they are saying Batanes is also their territory. What’s next? Palawan? Zambales? Cagayan?” Tulfo said, denouncing what he described as baseless claims over Philippine territory.

The senator noted that the timing of the statements coincided with the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea and affirmed the Philippines’ maritime rights under international law.

“It is ironic that we are hearing these claims as we mark a decade since the Philippines’ victory in the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, which recognized our rights over the West Philippine Sea,” Tulfo said.

In response, Tulfo urged Congress to prioritize the passage of Senate Bill No. 1625, or the West Philippine Sea Education Act, which seeks to integrate lessons on Philippine sovereignty, territorial rights, and the importance of the West Philippine Sea into the basic education curriculum.

According to Tulfo, the measure would help combat disinformation by ensuring that students receive age-appropriate lessons based on internationally recognized facts, Philippine laws, and Supreme Court decisions.

The bill also mandates the Department of Education to provide specialized training for teachers and educators who will handle lessons on the West Philippine Sea.

Tulfo emphasized that educating young Filipinos about the country’s territorial integrity is both a patriotic responsibility and a practical step toward helping citizens understand and protect the nation’s sovereign rights and natural resources.

“Baseless claims that certain parts of the Philippines belong to other countries should not be given credence and must be rejected on all fronts. We will continue to stand firm, defend our territory, and protect what rightfully belongs to the Filipino people,” Tulfo said.