China started building artificial islands on the WPS as early as 2013 but reached its peak in 2014. This primarily occurred on seven reefs in the Spratly Islands—a disputed region also claimed by other nations in the ASEAN region, including the Philippines. These islands have been militarized; significant environmental damage has been done in the region.
China has been involved in extensive fishing and natural resource exploitation of oil and gas reserves. Filipino fisherfolk, meanwhile, have been prevented from the area through threats and coercion.
PROUT advocates maximum utilization of natural resources for the collective welfare of society.
In the case of WPS, it means equitable and responsible access to resources that ensure benefits to local communities – particularly Filipino fishermen and coastal populations. The present situation, which threatens the very existence and livelihood of these communities due to large-scale exploitation by foreign powers, is contrary to the principles of PROUT. Instead of prioritizing short-term economic gains, the region’s resources should be extracted sustainably to provide long-term benefits without depleting or damaging the ecosystem.
In the context of intensifying environmental and geopolitical challenges within the WPS, PROUT provides a balanced, ethical framework that emphasizes the sustainable use of resources while protecting marine ecosystems. This would ensure that the natural resources of the WPS would benefit not just present local communities but also future generations while maintaining that delicate balance of nature which sustains life in the region.
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