September declared ‘Verde Island Passage (VIP) awareness week’
BATANGAS CITY – An inter-agency management network declared every fourth week of September as the “Verde Island Passage (VIP) conservation awareness week,” an initiative meant to heighten efforts to preserve the marine corridor.
The declaration was adopted during the first meeting of the VIP management board, here on Tuesday.
The almost two-million-hectare marine ecosystem, located at the center of the provinces of Batangas, Marinduque, Romblon, and Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, was declared the earth’s “center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity” due to high densities of marine resources.
Last year, a network composed of the local governments of the five provinces and national government agencies was formed to implement sustainable programs and strengthen enforcement of environmental laws in the marine and terrestrial ecosystem.
Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, who chaired the board meeting, said they could begin drumming up the awareness campaign with a coastal clean-up this month.
He said in Batangas, private investors have put together a foundation for cleaning the coastlines.
Top polluter
The board has also discussed several areas of the VIP’s management plan, concerning local policies, climate resilience, ecotourism, and pollution.
Chief Supt. Rodelio Jocson of the police Maritime Group said they would deploy additional teams to man the corridor against illegal fishers.
“(We need) the stronger presence of Maritime (police) within the (VIP) … We will need technical help (as) all our corals are dead,” said Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes.
Dr. Augustus Rex Montebon, director of Conservation International’s program director, said the Philippines was third, trailing behind Indonesia and China, as the top contributors to marine pollution.
“We have to do something about this,” he said.
The VIP secretariat, headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, would also begin processing the Philippines’ application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization for VIP to be recognized a World Heritage Site.
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