Multisectoral groups convene to champion the protection of biodiversity hotspot VIP ahead of elections
- verdepassageweb
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Fisherfolk and coastal community leaders, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, and conservation experts gathered at a multisectoral dialogue and electoral forum last Tuesday and Wednesday to advocate for the protection of the Verde Island Passage (VIP) and its designation under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act and as a World Heritage Site.
“At a time of extreme ecological and climate crises, protecting the VIP is a matter of survival. This marine corridor is a lifeline to 2 million Filipinos; ensuring its protection also ensures a stable source of their food and livelihood,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP.
“While progress has been made, not only through this event but also through years-long fight of communities and civil society, the road ahead is still long. Continued and unwavering support from various sectors is essential to secure protection of the VIP. We hope that this call to action for our leaders, policymakers, and political aspirants to prioritize the VIP and other vulnerable ecosystems in the country in need of protection,” Gariguez added.
The series of events, entitled “Piliin ang VIP,” co-organized by the Protect VIP Network, De La Salle Lipa, and Caritas Philippines, also established a fisherfolk agenda to voice out concerns of fisherfolk communities across the VIP as the 2025 midterm elections approach. One of the key issues raised was the declining fish catch witnessed by the local fisherfolk due to the massive fossil fuel expansion in the VIP.
“Ang focus po natin ay pangalagaan ang VIP. Kung hindi po natin poprotektahan iyan, ano po ang mangyayari? Gutom. Hindi na po lalo makakapagpaaral ang mga mangingisda,” said Maximo “Ka Simo” Bayubay, External Vice President of Bukluran ng Mangingisda sa Batangas (BMB).
[“Our focus is to conserve VIP. If we will not protect it, what will happen? Hunger. Fisherfolk won’t be able to send their children to school anymore.”]
The two-day event comes concurrent with Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Busan, South Korea, where civil society organizations from around the world unite to advocate for a “Fossil-Free Ocean.”
“The VIP is considered the “Amazon of the Oceans” and one of the most important marine habitats on the planet. It is not just a treasure for us Filipinos but also for the global community. Protecting this critical marine corridor brings us closer to the 30x30 pledge to preserve 30% of Earth's terrestrial and marine habitats by 2030 – which can help to ensure food security and livelihood of coastal communities, enhance our climate resilience, and conserve marine resources for generations to come,” said Martha Vergara, Deputy Head of Oceans and Climate of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).
