Abstract: Opening Remarks by Dr. Lourdesita S. Chan:

Dr. Renante D. Pilapil, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), Ms. Rhisan Mae Morales, Director, Center for Politics and International Affairs (CPIA), Atty. Henry S. Bensurto Jr., our resource person, colleagues, students, support personnel and other guests, good afternoon. On behalf of the University Research Council (URC), I welcome you all to this significant forum.

More than a year and a half ago, and until now, we have joined the rest of the world in battling the pandemic. But apart from this, another existential issue we have faced is our archipelagic integrity, which is central to our territorial and national dignity. We need to protect our territory, our shared goal. The awareness and understanding we derive from this forum, particularly on the matter of the Arbitral Ruling, are crucial to our ability to discourse in favor of our territorial integrity.

I thank CPIA for organizing this forum and for bringing a distinguished resource person to lead the discussion. I hope that we regard this as an opportunity to add value to our knowledge and sense of civic responsibility rather than this being just a requirement compliance. Once again, welcome and good afternoon to all.