Yerevan, Armenia – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reaffirmed its commitment to secure stronger protection for the Verde Island Passage (VIP) during a side event at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), which kicked off this week.

Speaking at “A Global Treasure Worth Protecting: The Verde Island Passage and What Its Conservation Means for the World’s Marine Biodiversity,” at the Ocean Pavillion, Martha Vergara, Oceans and Climate Program Deputy Head of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), underscored the importance of protecting the VIP as part of broader efforts to halt biodiversity loss and advance global conservation commitments.

“The Verde Island Passage is not just a Philippine treasure. Its biodiversity is part of our shared global heritage, and its protection is essential to the food security and livelihoods of the communities that depend on it. But recognizing its ecological importance is not enough. We need concrete protection that addresses the many destructive activities threatening its waters and ensure that communities are not left to bear the costs of environmental destruction,” said Vergara.

In his message at the event, DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau Director Atty. Felix Alicer, emphasized that the VIP is both a globally significant biodiversity area and a home to millions of people. He outlined DENR’s ongoing efforts to secure its legal protection, strengthen science-based conservation and prepare for its effective management.

“The Verde Island Passage is a global treasure, but it is also a home to people who depend on it. The case for acting now is clear. Our goal is to establish the VIP as a protected seascape under our national protected-area system. The DENR stands ready to provide technical assistance to advance the necessary legislation,” said Atty. Alicer.

Pending legislation, the DENR has introduced interim safeguards for projects in and near the VIP marine corridor. Under a departmental memorandum order issued in July 2025, such projects require endorsement from the relevant DENR regional offices and concurrence from BMB before the environmental impact assessment process can proceed.

Referred to as the “Amazon of the Oceans,” the Verde Island Passage covers the provinces of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon. Batangas, in particular, has become a major hub for fossil gas development in the Philippines, with existing and proposed gas-fired power plants and liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure concentrated along the VIP. This is on top of an existing abundance of industrial activities in the area.

The consequences of environmental damage are already evident. In February 2023, the MT Princess Empress oil spill affected coastal communities in Oriental Mindoro, disrupting fishing activities and damaging marine ecosystems. Thousands of fisherfolk faced livelihood losses, underscoring the need for stronger safeguards against industrial risks and more effective accountability when environmental disasters occur.

In the Philippines, a key step toward stronger protection is the passage of the Verde Island Passage Protected Seascape (VIPPS) Bill, which is an important step toward ensuring that the VIP’s ecological value is matched by long-term legal protection. The proposed designation of the VIP as a protected area also aligns with the Philippines’ commitment to the global 30×30 target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls for at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas, and of marine and coastal areas to be effectively conserved and managed by 2030. Identified for proposed protected-area designation under the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP) and recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), the VIP is a significant contribution to the country’s marine conservation efforts.

“The Verde Island is a global treasure, but recognition alone will not keep it safe. We need lasting legal protection, effective enforcement, and clear safeguards against activities that threaten its ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Passing the VIP Protected Seascape Bill is a crucial step toward turning our commitment to biodiversity into concrete action,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Lead Convenor of Protect Verde Island (VIP) Network.

The UN CBD brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, financial institutions, and civil society organizations. The conference will review progress, mobilize action, and set the stage for accelerated implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, ensuring that 2026 becomes a turning point for nature conservation and climate resilience.