The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) now has jurisdiction and control over more than 300,000 hectares (ha) of the Philippine Rise, which has been declared as a marine resource reserve.
This was detailed in Proclamation No. 489 signed by President Duterte on May 15, the day he sent off 50 Filipino scientists to study and explore the 13-million ha, resource-rich undersea plateau.
Directive to DENR
In the directive, the DENR was given administrative jurisdiction and control over 352,390 ha that now comprise the Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve (PRMRR).
Of the 352,390 ha of the PRMRR, 49,684 was declared as a strict protection zone, with the remaining areas designated as a special fisheries management area.
The President tasked the DENR to conduct an assessment of the area and to develop a management plan, as well as a research framework.
This will be in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy and other concerned agencies. —JULIE M. AURELIO