Business leaders, including tycoons Manuel Pangilinan, Ramon Ang, and Sabin Aboitiz, have formed a technical working group (TWG) in collaboration with the Departments of Energy (DOE) and the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conserve and protect the Verde Island Passage (VIP).
The VIP, located between Luzon and Mindoro islands in the Philippines, is renowned as the “center of the center” of marine shore fish biodiversity worldwide.
The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aims to sustainably manage the critical waterway for the next five years.
Private sector entities such as Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), San Miguel Corp. (SMC), and Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. are part of this initiative, along with the DOE and DENR. Notably, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) and Aboitiz Power Corp. (AP) previously announced joint investments in San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., including the Ilijan Power Plant near the VIP.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga emphasized that this partnership signifies a commitment to environmental preservation and marks a new era of public-private collaboration.
The MOU outlines objectives such as enhancing community livelihoods, ensuring sustainable resource utilization, and supporting clean energy development.
Additionally, the parties plan to establish a marine science biological research station in the VIP area, partnering with educational institutions like UP Systems, De La Salle University, and the California Academy of Sciences.
During the signing ceremony, Manuel Pangilinan highlighted the importance of balancing energy provision with environmental protection. The TWG may explore partnerships related to water conditions and temperature monitoring, which could impact marine life in Region 12.
