Politics · Philippines Bureau
Congress advances bills to protect Verde Island Passage marine corridor
The House Committee on Natural Resources has begun reviewing four legislative measures aimed at protecting the Verde Island Passage, a critical marine corridor straddling waters off four provinces. The bills seek to designate the passage as a protected seascape under the expanded national protected areas framework.
LSN Philippines ·
CALAPAN CITY — Lawmakers have initiated deliberations on four bills proposing to declare the Verde Island Passage a protected seascape under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS), marking a significant step toward safeguarding the strategically important marine corridor.
The House Committee on Natural Resources convened in Calapan City on Wednesday to examine the measures, which target the waters traversing Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and a fourth province. The legislative push aims to establish formal legal protections for the marine passage through the ENIPAS framework, the country's primary mechanism for designating and managing protected natural areas.
The Verde Island Passage has long been recognized for its ecological significance, supporting diverse marine ecosystems and serving as a vital waterway in the region. Designating the area as a protected seascape would impose regulatory controls on activities within the corridor while enabling sustainable resource management practices.
The committee's deliberations represent part of broader efforts to strengthen environmental protections across the Philippines' maritime zones. The outcome of these proceedings could establish precedent for protecting other critical marine corridors and ecosystems facing mounting pressures from development and resource extraction.