The Maritime Zones' Bill will be the first piece of legislation passed in the country that will claim sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Philippine's Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea, forwarding the Philippines' partial claim over the Spratlys Island. Previous laws, such as the Philippine Baselines Act, do not include the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) in its establishment of territory.
However, the passing of this bill also means forwarding territorial claims over other disputes where the EEZ of the Philippines and other countries (e.g., Malaysia, Brunei) overlap. Currently, the bill has passed both the upper and lower house, but is still waiting for the signature and approval of the office of the president.