Protect VIP, a group of environmental advocates, fisherfolk communities, and civil society groups on Friday launched a campaign on Friday to promote the designation of the Verde Island Passage (VIP) as a World Heritage Site, in celebration of this year’s VIP Awareness Week.
VIP is the marine corridor spanning five provinces south of Manila, hailed for its rich biodiversity as identified by marine science experts.
“Today, we issue collective support to efforts for the VIP’s designation as a World Heritage Site as a testament to the hope that generations present and to come can continue benefiting from, marveling at, and celebrating the Verde Island Passage. May we join together for pushing for this ambition that will place this critical marine corridor in the global spotlight for preservation. May we also join together in working such that all efforts to protect the VIP will serve to empower our most vulnerable communities and sectors,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP.
The launch was joined by renowned marine scientist Dr. Kent Carpenter who pioneered research for VIP and coined its famous description as the ‘Center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity in the world’; UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, part of the governing body for World Heritage Site designations; Caritas Philippines; Bukluran ng Mangingisda sa Batangas; Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED); Conservation International; and Batang VIP.
Providing a history on his and other scientists’ journey in understanding the global significance of the VIP, Dr. Kent Carpenter explained that “the Verde Island Passage is the center of the center of the center of marine biodiversity. This is supported by subsequent analyses as well. Filipinos should be very proud of this high concentration of biodiversity that is unique globally, and unique only to the Philippines. I believe very strongly that efforts to declare VIP and the central Philippines as a UNESCO World Heritage Site really can go a long way to help us pinpoint an area in the world that most deserves conservation efforts.”
Protect VIP has consistently advocated for the preservation of the VIP, including through legal under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (ENIPAS) Act. This, as the marine corridor confronts many threats including massive fossil gas expansion in Batangas City, climate change, and a devastating 2023 Mindoro oil spill that left PHP 41.2 billion worth of damages, according to a study by think tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED).
“Designating the VIP as a World Heritage Site not only affirms its global significance, it also serves to mobilize support for its protection. This designation, of course, must be complemented by robust protection policies - both of which must be implemented in manners that build the health of marine and coastal biodiversity and empower vulnerable communities,” said Gerry Arances, Executive Director of CEED.
