The government has launched a five-year initiative to protect the Philippine Rise, an undersea plateau vital to the country’s marine resources, food security, and national security. Environment Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said the effort aims to ensure long-term protection of the area’s biodiversity, which benefits both the Philippines and the global community.
The project, called the Philippine Rise Conservation Project, focuses on managing the Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve (PRMRR) and seeking its inclusion under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System. The Rise serves as a key spawning ground for fish, a buffer against climate impacts, and a strategic area threatened by illegal fishing and foreign intrusions.
Known by its acronym PRICELESS (Philippine Rise Integrated Conservation for Enduring Legacies through Ecosystem Support Services), the program is led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with Conservation International and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia. Funding comes from the Global Environment Facility.
The PRMRR, covering 434,517 hectares, includes a Strict Protection Zone of 49,684 hectares and a Multiple Use Zone of 352,390 hectares, co-managed by the DENR and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
PRICELESS aims to strengthen governance, improve enforcement, enhance scientific monitoring, and promote sustainable resource use for local coastal communities. By tackling illegal fishing and improving inter-agency coordination, the initiative highlights that protecting marine biodiversity is closely tied to supporting livelihoods and securing food for future generations.
