Defining the Archipelagic Baselines of the Philippines
Republic Act No. 9522, enacted on March 10, 2009, amends previous laws to define the archipelagic baselines of the Philippines more clearly. It specifies geographic coordinates for various basepoints, affirming the country’s sovereignty over its territorial waters and certain areas, including the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. The Act mandates that these baselines be registered with the United Nations and that relevant maps and charts be produced by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). It also ensures that any unconstitutional provisions do not affect the validity of the remaining sections. The law takes effect 15 days after its publication.
Law Information
- Reference Number
- Republic Act No. 9522
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Statutes
- Subcategory
- Republic Acts
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
March 10, 2009
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9522
AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3046, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5446, TO DEFINE THE ARCHIPELAGIC BASELINES OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 3046, entitled "An Act to Define the Baselines of the Territorial Sea of the Philippines", as amended by Section 1 of Republic Act No. 5446, is hereby amended to read as follows: ACSaHc
"SEC. 1. The baselines of the Philippine archipelago are hereby defined and described specifically as follows:
|
Basepoint
|
Station
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Location
|
World Geodetic
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System of 1984
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Distance
|
|
Number
|
Name
|
|
(WGS 84)
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Coordinates
|
to next
|
|
|
|
|
Latitude (N)
|
Longitude (E)
|
basepoint
|
|
(M)
|
|||||
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1
|
PAB-01 | Amianan Is. | 21º 6' 57.73" | 121º 57' 27.71" | 70.03 |
|
2
|
PAB-02 | Balintang Is. | 19º 57' 38.19" | 122º 9' 46.32" | 99.17 |
|
3
|
PAB-04 | Iligan Pt. | 18º 18' 35.30" | 122º 20' 19.07" | 71.83 |
|
4
|
PAB-05A | Ditolong Pt. | 17º 7' 16.30" | 122º 31' 28.34" | 1.05 |
|
5
|
PAB-05B | Ditolong Pt. | 17º 6' 14.79" | 122º 31' 43.84" | 0.39 |
|
6
|
PAB-05 | Ditolong Pt. | 17º 5' 51.31" | 122º 31' 42.66" | 3.29 |
|
7
|
PAB-06 | Spires Is. | 17º 2' 36.91" | 122º 31' 3.28" | 9.74 |
|
8
|
PAB-06B | Digollorin Pt. | 16º 53' 18.03" | 122º 27' 56.61" | 3.51 |
|
9
|
PAB-06C | Digollorin Rk. | 16º 49' 56.11" | 122º 26' 50.78" | 2.40 |
|
10
|
PAB-07 | Diviuisa Pt. | 16º 47' 38.86" | 122º 26' 4.40" | 30.94 |
|
11
|
PAB-08 | Dijohan Pt. | 16º 18' 44.33" | 122º 14' 16.69" | 116.26 |
|
12
|
PAB-10A | Tinaga Is. | 14º 29' 54.43" | 122º 57' 51.15" | 80.29 |
|
13
|
PAB-11 | Horodaba Rk. | 14º 6' 29.91" | 124º 16' 59.21" | 0.54 |
|
14
|
PAB-12 | Matulin Rk. | 14º 6' 10.40" | 124º 17' 26.28" | 96.04 |
|
15
|
PAB-13 | Atalaya Pt. | 12º 41' 6.37" | 125º 3' 53.71" | 6.79 |
|
16
|
PAB-13A | Bacan Is. | 12º 36' 18.41" | 125º 8' 50.19" | 5.52 |
|
17
|
PAB-14 | Finch Rk. | 12º 32' 33.62" | 125º 12' 59.70" | 0.80 |
|
18
|
PAB-14A | Cube Rk. | 12º 31' 57.45" | 125º 13' 32.37" | 4.90 |
|
19
|
PAB-14D | NW Manjud Pt. | 12º 28' 36.42" | 125º 17' 12.32" | 1.30 |
|
20
|
PAB-15 | SE Manjud Pt. | 12º 27' 37.51" | 125º 18' 5.23" | 7.69 |
|
21
|
PAB-16A | E Sora Cay | 12º 21' 41.64" | 125º 23' 7.41" | 5.68 |
|
22
|
PAB-16B | Panablijon | 12º 17' 27.17" | 125º 27' 0.12" | 5.21 |
|
23
|
PAB-16C | Alugon | 12º 13' 21.95" | 125º 30' 19.47" | 1.94 |
|
24
|
PAB-16D | N Bunga Pt. | 12º 11' 48.16" | 125º 31' 30.88" | 0.54 |
|
25
|
PAB-17A | E Bunga Pt. | 12º 11' 20.67" | 125º 31' 48.29" | 5.71 |
|
26
|
PAB-18A | SE Tubabao Is. | 12º 6' 7.00" | 125º 34' 11.94" | 83.84 |
|
27
|
PAB-19C | Suluan Is. | 10º 45' 16.70" | 125º 58' 8.78" | 56.28 |
|
28
|
PAB-19D | N Tuason Pt. | 9º 49' 59.58" | 126º 10' 6.39" | 57.44 |
|
29
|
PAB-20A | Arangasa Is. | 8º 53' 16.62" | 126º 20' 48.81" | 40.69 |
|
30
|
PAB-21B | Sanco Pt. | 8º 13' 11.53" | 126º 28' 53.25" | 30.80 |
|
31
|
PAB-22 | Bagoso Is. | 7º 42" 45.02" | 126º 34' 29.03" | 12.95 |
|
32
|
PAB-22C | Languyan | 7º 29' 49.47" | 126º 35' 59.24" | 0.54 |
|
33
|
PAB-23 | Languyan | 7º 29' 16.93" | 126º 35' 59.50" | 0.76 |
|
34
|
PAB-23B | Languyan | 7º 28' 30.97" | 126º 35' 57.30" | 1.02 |
|
35
|
PAB-23C | N Baculin Pt. | 7º 27' 29.42" | 126º 35' 51.71" | 10.12 |
|
36
|
PAB-24 | Pusan Pt. | 7º 17' 19.80" | 126º 36' 18.16" | 1.14 |
|
37
|
PAB-24A | S Pusan Pt. | 7º 16' 14.43" | 126º 35' 57.20" | 63.28 |
|
38
|
PAB-25B | Cape San Agustin | 6º 17' 14.73" | 126º 12' 14.40" | 1.28 |
|
39
|
PAB-25 | Cape San Agustin | 6º 16' 8.35" | 126º 11' 35.06" | 67.65 |
|
40
|
PAB-26 | SE Sarangani Is. | 5º 23' 34.20" | 125º 28' 42.11" | 0.43 |
|
41
|
PAB-27 | Panguil Bato Pt. | 5º 23' 21.80 | 125º 28' 19.59" | 3.44 |
|
42
|
PAB-28 | Tapundo Pt. | 5º 21' 55.66" | 125º 25' 11.21" | 3.31 |
|
43
|
PAB-29 | W Calia Pt. | 5º 21' 58.48" | 125º 21' 52.03" | 0.87 |
|
44
|
PAB-30 | Manamil Is. | 5º 22' 2.91" | 125º 20' 59.73" | 1.79 |
|
45
|
PAB-31 | Marampog Pt. | 5º 23' 20.18" | 125º 19' 44.29" | 78.42 |
|
46
|
PAB-32 | Pola Pt. | 6º 9' 8.44" | 124º 15' 42.81" | 122.88 |
|
47
|
PAB-33A | Kauluan Is. | 6º 26' 47.22" | 122º 13' 34.50" | 29.44 |
|
48
|
PAB-34A | Tongquil Is. | 6º 2' 33.77" | 121º 56' 36.20" | 2.38 |
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49
|
PAB-35 | Tongquil Is. | 6º 1' 8.15" | 121º 54' 41.45" | 1.72 |
|
50
|
PAB-35A | Tongquil Is. | 6º 0' 17.88" | 121º 53' 11.17" | 85.94 |
|
51
|
PAB-38A | Kinapusan Is. | 5º 12' 8.70" | 120º 41' 38.14" | 55.24 |
|
52
|
PAB-39 | Manuk Manka Is. | 4º 47' 39.24" | 119º 51' 58.08" | 43.44 |
|
53
|
PAB-40 | Frances Reef | 4º 24' 53.84" | 119º 14' 50.71" | 0.61 |
|
54
|
PAB-40A | Frances Reef | 4º 25' 3.83" | 119º 14' 15.15" | 15.48 |
|
55
|
PAB-41A | Bajapa Reef | 4º 36' 9.01" | 119º 3' 22.75" | 6.88 |
|
56
|
PAB-42A | Paguan Is. | 4º 42' 52.07" | 119º 1' 44.04" | 3.40 |
|
57
|
PAB-43 | Alice Reef | 4º 45' 55.25" | 119º 3' 15.19" | 2.28 |
|
58
|
PAB-44 | Alice Reef | 4º 47' 5.36" | 119º 5' 12.94" | 18.60 |
|
59
|
PAB-45 | Omapoy Rk. | 4º 55' 10.45" | 119º 22' 1.30" | 23.37 |
|
60
|
PAB-46 | Bukut Lapis Pt. | 5º 2' 23.73" | 119º 44' 18.14" | 44.20 |
|
61
|
PAB-47 | Pearl Bank | 5º 46' 35.15" | 119º 39' 51.77" | 75.17 |
|
62
|
PAB-48 | Baguan Is. | 6º 5' 58.41" | 118º 26' 57.30" | 8.54 |
|
63
|
PAB-48A | Taganak Is. | 6º 4' 14.08" | 118º 18' 33.33" | 13.46 |
|
64
|
PAB-49 | Great Bakkungaan Is. | 6º 11' 4.65" | 118º 6' 54.15" | 3.97 |
|
65
|
PAB-50 | Lihiman Is. | 6º 13' 39.90" | 118º 3' 52.09" | 5.53 |
|
66
|
PAB-51 | Sibaung Is. | 6º 17' 43.99" | 118º 0' 5.44" | 41.60 |
|
67
|
PAB-52 | Muligi Is. | 6º 52' 14.53" | 118º 23' 40.49" | 75.06 |
|
68
|
PAB-53 | South Mangsee Is. | 7º 30' 26.05" | 117º 18' 33.75" | 26.00 |
|
69
|
PAB-54 | Balabac Is. | 7º 48' 30.69" | 116º 59' 39.18" | 6.08 |
|
70
|
PAB-54A | Balabac Great Reef | 7º 51' 27.17" | 116º 54' 17.19" | 1.18 |
|
71
|
PAB-54B | Balabac Great Reef | 7º 52' 19.86" | 116º 53' 28.73" | 2.27 |
|
72
|
PAB-55 | Balabac Great Reef | 7º 54' 36.35" | 116º 53' 16.64" | 7.42 |
|
73
|
PAB-60 | Ada Reef | 8º 2' 0.26" | 116º 54' 10.04" | 10.85 |
|
74
|
PAB-61 | Secam Is. | 8º 11' 18.36" | 116º 59' 51.87" | 30.88 |
|
75
|
PAB-62 | Latud Pt. | 8º 37' 56.37" | 117º 15' 51.23" | 7.91 |
|
76
|
PAB-63 | SW Tatub Pt. | 8º 44' 17.40" | 117º 20' 39.37" | 11.89 |
|
77
|
PAB-63A | W Sicud Pt. | 8º 53' 32.20" | 117º 28' 15.78" | 13.20 |
|
78
|
PAB-64 | Tarumpitao Pt. | 9º 2' 57.47" | 117º 37' 38.88" | 81.12 |
|
79
|
PAB-64B | Dry Is. | 9º 59' 22.54" | 118º 36' 53.61" | 82.76 |
|
80
|
PAB-65C | Binangcolan Pt. | 11º 13' 19.82" | 119º 15' 17.74" | 74.65 |
|
81
|
PAB-67 | Pinnacle Rk. | 12º 19' 35.22" | 119º 50' 56.00" | 93.88 |
|
82
|
PAB-68 | Cabra Is. | 13º 53' 21.45" | 120º 1' 5.86" | 115.69 |
|
83
|
PAB-71 | Hermana Mayor Is. | 15º 48' 43.61" | 119º 46' 56.09" | 9.30 |
|
84
|
PAB-72 | Tambobo Pt. | 15º 57' 51.67" | 119º 44' 55.32" | 12.06 |
|
85
|
PAB-73B | Rena Pt. | 16º 9' 57.90" | 119º 45' 15.76" | 0.25 |
|
86
|
PAB-73 | Rena Pt. | 16º 10' 12.42" | 119º 45' 11.95 | 6.43 |
|
87
|
PAB-74 | Rocky Ledge | 16º 16' 34.46" | 119º 46' 19.50" | 0.65 |
|
88
|
PAB-74A | Piedra Pt. | 16º 17' 12.70" | 119º 46' 28.52" | 1.30 |
|
89
|
PAB-75 | Piedra Pt. | 16º 18' 29.49" | 119º 46' 44.94" | 1.04 |
|
90
|
PAB-75C | Piedra Pt. | 16º 19' 28.20" | 119º 47' 7.69" | 0.63 |
|
91
|
PAB-75D | Piedra Pt. | 16º 20' 4.38" | 119º 47' 20.48" | 80.60 |
|
92
|
PAB-76 | Dile Pt. | 17º 34' 24.94" | 120º 20' 33.36" | 6.86 |
|
93
|
PAB-77 | Pinget Is. | 17º 41' 17.56" | 120º 21' 2.02" | 14.15 |
|
94
|
PAB-78 | Badoc Is. | 17º 55' 4.13" | 120º 24' 40.56" | 35.40 |
|
95
|
PAB-79 | Cape Bojeador | 18º 29' 32.42" | 120º 33' 42.41" | 1.77 |
|
96
|
PAB-79B | Bobon | 18º 30' 52.88" | 120º 34' 55.35" | 53.23 |
|
97
|
PAB-80 | Calagangan Pt. | 19º 10' 14.78" | 121º 12' 52.64" | 98.07 |
|
98
|
PAB-82 | Itbayat Is. | 20º 43' 15.74" | 121º 46' 57.80" | 25.63 |
|
99
|
PAB-83 | Amianan Is. | 21º 7' 17.47" | 121º 56' 43.85" | 0.08 |
|
100
|
PAB-84 | Amianan Is. | 21º 7' 18.41" | 121º 56' 48.79" | 0.25 |
|
101
|
PAB-85 | Amianan Is. | 21º 7' 12.04" | 121º 57' 3.65" | 0.44" |
SECTION 2. The baselines in the following areas over which the Philippines likewise exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction shall be determined as "Regime of Islands" under the Republic of the Philippines consistent with Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): THIAaD
a) The Kalayaan Island Group as constituted under Presidential Decree No. 1596; and
b) Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.
SECTION 3. This Act affirms that the Republic of the Philippines has dominion, sovereignty and jurisdiction over all portions of the national territory as defined in the Constitution and by provisions of applicable laws including, without limitation, Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, as amended.
SECTION 4. This Act, together with the geographic coordinates and the charts and maps indicating the aforesaid baselines, shall be deposited and registered with the Secretary General of the United Nations.
SECTION 5. The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) shall forthwith produce and publish charts and maps of the appropriate scale clearly representing the delineation of basepoints and baselines as set forth in this Act.
SECTION 6. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be provided in a supplemental budget or included in the General Appropriations Act of the year of its enactment into law.
SECTION 7. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 8. The provisions of Republic Act No. 3046, as amended by Republic Act No. 5446, and all other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended or modified accordingly. DHEcCT
SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved: March 10, 2009
Published in the Malaya on March 12, 2009.
Cite This Law
Defining the Archipelagic Baselines of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9522, Mar 10, 2009 (Philippines)
Defining the Archipelagic Baselines of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9522 (Phil. 2009)
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