The Verde Island Passage Technical Working Group (VIP-TWG) in its inaugural meeting yesterday agreed to pursue measures meant to safeguardthe Verde Island Passage.
The VIP-TWG is led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and is composed of the Aboitiz Group, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., San Miguel Corp. and the Department of Energy.
The meeting eyes to inventory current initiatives, find areas of convergence and plan the next steps to operationalize the partnership.
Future efforts also include habitat protection, sustainable fisheries management and community engagement.
The VIP-TWG aims to implement strategies for the long-term protection of the VIP which is considered as the center of the center of marine biodiversity, as well as to promote sustainable practices and reduce human impact in the area.
Since 2018, five provinces have shared a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to protect the VIP with a current focus to translate the agreement into concrete actions, including establishing the plans for the VIP marine station for research and monitoring, collaboration on conservation and management programs with local communities.
Its implementation is also being aligned with nine other planned marine stations of DENR across different parts of the country.
A Protected Area Suitability Assessment is also ongoing to determine whether the VIP should be designated a Marine Protected Area.
The VIP TWG will also collaborate with local communities, stakeholders and international partners to achieve its conservation goals with scheduled regular monthly meetings to ensure ongoing progress and address emerging issues.
