Trade route at Benham Rise eyed

MANILA, Philippines - The development of a trade route at Benham Rise, off the coast of Aurora province, is being pushed by former senator Edgardo Angara to make the country more economically competitive.

“The Pacific is coming back as the main navigation route. And that’s why the Benham Rise will acquire even more significance,” Angara said.

Unlike the disputed West Philippine Sea, Angara said Benham Rise is truly within Philippine territory.   

Benham Rise measures around 13 million hectares and is located under the sea region off the coast of Isabela and Aurora, the former senator’s home province. It is deemed part of the Philippine continental self and is within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Apart from Recto Bank, Angara batted for the development of Aurora, which he dubbed as the last frontier to be developed in Luzon, to pave way for exploration of Benham Rise. 

“The Pacific is becoming more important again, just like during the time of the galleon trade in the old days,” Angara said.

He said the Pacific route is being revived because of China’s bullying in some parts of Asia.