DENR to conduct biodiversity research in West Philippine Sea this April

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced it will conduct an integrated research on biodiversity conservation at the Recto Bank and Rizal Reef in April.

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga made the statement on Friday during the first all-women maritime security forum organized by the Stratbase Institute in partnership with the Australian Embassy in the Philippines.

In her speech, Loyzaga said the DENR move follows the Biodiversity Conservation and Carbon Sequestration in the West Philippine Sea Project in Pag-asa Island the department conducted last February. 

The research is in collaboration with the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation.

The West Philippine Sea has a rich biodiversity that contributes around 27% of the country’s commercial fisheries production and around 30% of the nation’s coral reefs. 

The region, however, is now under threat due to the continuous aggressive actions of China which seeks to control the large portions of the critical waterway.

“We expect to discover more and measure the Philippine treasures in the ecosystems of the West Philippine Sea, a big part of our natural capital for the present and the future,”  Loyzaga said.

The DENR aims to establish a marine scientific research station in Pag-asa Island as part of the eight stations across the country’s biogeographic regions.

The other stations are the Tubbataha Reef Ranger Station and Snake Island Station in Palawan and the Verde Island Passage Station to be established with the private sector and academic and research partners.

The DENR said these stations will have unique research programs, serving as sites for specific areas of collaboration with scientists from the Philippines and like-minded countries who respect the rules-based international order.

“A leading and critical example of our strategic bilateral collaboration is our work with the government of Australia, under the new strategic partnership relationship, in developing science and policy leaders and scholars in ocean science and maritime security,” Loyzaga explained.

During the forum, Australia also reiterated support in strengthening maritime security and protection in the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu emphasized the importance of ensuring gender equality in the maritime domain, citing maritime security and protection as a complex challenge requiring more inclusive cooperation.

“This is no area where we can afford to have just half of the population participating in that. We need all the brilliant minds, including women, coming forward to solve this challenging issue for the world,” Yu said.

Stratbase President Professor Dindo Manhit recognized the important role of women in the maritime sector.

“We celebrate the decisive and invaluable role that women have been taking in the pursuit of a secure and prosperous nation. Looking ahead, we must ensure that women are empowered to participate and lead initiatives for a more secure and more prosperous Indo-Pacific,” said Manhit.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson Col. Francel Taborlupa further emphasized the importance of allies like Australia in enhancing maritime security in the country.

She highlighted previous collaborations in humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, joint maritime patrols around several training activities, and capacity-building with subject matter experts from both countries.

“The Philippines is not an expansionist country. We are a peace-loving nation, and we are merely defending our own territory, which is backed by international laws,” said Taborlupa.

“We strengthened partnerships towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is the overarching goal of all like-minded nations and the well-meaning nations,” she added. —RF, GMA Integrated News