The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday signed with three of the country’s biggest companies a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to protect and conserve the marine ecosystem of Verde Island Passage (VIP).
The DOE and the DENR signed the MOU with Aboitiz Equity Ventures , Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and San Miguel Corp. for a joint stewardship of the critical waterway known as center of the world’s marine shore fish biodiversity located between Luzon and Mindoro islands.
The five- year initiative will be funded by the five signatories. The MOU will ensure VIP and the nearby provinces will thrive as a marine protected area in line with the government’s clean energy agenda through resilient and sustainable low-carbon development.
The MOU requires the parties to “establish a marine science biological research station with facilities” in VIP and across the five provinces nearby in partnership with higher educational institutions such as the UP Systems, De La Salle University and the California Academy of Sciences.
The partnership also seeks to improve the lives of the communities in the VIP and ensure the sustainable access and use of coastal and marine resources.
The VIP is at the heart of the Coral Triangle, a vast expanse renowned as the global epicenter of marine life diversity, encompassing countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.
It serves as the habitat of over 1,700 marine species, including 60 percent of the world’s shore fish species, and 300 coral species.
As one of the country’s busiest shipping corridors, the VIP also serves as an important route for international ports and various oil and gas facilities apart from hosting the fishing industry.
DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said the MOU also calls for the partners to collaborate with relevant local government units, non-government organizations, the academe, international development agencies, coastal communities, people’s organizations and other private entities for the protection and enhancement of the biodiversity and coastal marine resources of VIP.
DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla, said the MOU bodes well for the government’s agenda towards renewable energy.
