Environmental experts, government bodies, and representatives of fisherfolk and coastal communities joined together in taking stock of threats and progresses in protecting the Verde Island Passage, a marine corridor in the South of Luzon that accounts for a critical share of national contributions committed by the Philippines to global conservation targets.
Encompassing the waters of Batangas, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon, the VIP is known as a global epicenter of marine biodiversity and compared to an ‘Amazon’ of the oceans, being home to 60% of all the world’s known shore fish species. The high level forum entitled “Piliin ang VIP” brought attention to conservation efforts that are being put forward to protect the integrity of the biodiversity hotspot for years to come.
“The VIP is a global gem that goes beyond borders, representing more than just a treasure of the Philippines. Conserving this, including protecting the VIP through the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act, helps the country participate in the worldwide campaign to protect Earth’s most important resources,” said Martha Vergara, Oceans and Climate Program Deputy Head at CEED.
“The 30×30 pledge to preserve 30% of Earth’s terrestrial and marine habitats by 2030 gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to conservation. And as one of the world’s most biodiverse marine areas, the VIP’s designation as a World Heritage Site would bring well-deserved international recognition and support,” she added.
Held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, the forum was organized by Protect VIP campaign network, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB), Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), Oceana, and Caritas Philippines.
The forum was held ahead of the Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Busan, South Korea this April 28-30, and was also organized as contribution to national discourses on marine biodiversity in the lead up to the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in France in June.
Several civil society, academe, and other government bodies were also present at the forum, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Climate Change Commission (CCC), National Museum of the Philippines, Conservation International, Green Convergence, UNESCO Philippine National Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs, Batangas State University, Bantay Kalikasan, Romblon State University, Philippine Coast Guard, Mindoro State University, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Bukluran ng Mangingisda sa Batangas, and other groups.
