BATANGAS: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Calabarzon has announced plans to establish a Marine Science Research Station in Batangas province, potentially as early as next year. The initiative aims to protect the Verde Island Passage (VIP), recognized as part of the Coral Triangle and declared the “Center of Marine Shore Fish Biodiversity.”
According to Philippines News Agency, Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria highlighted the necessity for enhanced research and conservation efforts during the “Kapihan sa DENR Calabarzon” event held at the agency’s office in Barangay Mayapa. The research station is envisioned as a hub for scientific studies, capacity-building programs, and collaborative efforts to safeguard the region’s rich marine life and habitats.
The project will be a collaborative effort involving local government units, academic institutions, international marine conservation organizations, and the private sector. Tamoria stated that the processing of a special pate
nt for the proposed research center is currently underway, with plans to formalize partnerships through a memorandum of agreement or understanding by the first quarter of 2025.
Nasugbu town has been identified as the location for the research center, owing to its strategic position as one of the marine corridors of the Verde Island Passage and as a gateway from Manila Bay. The planned research station will feature a range of facilities, including a research laboratory, staff office, conference room, library, equipment and storage room, living quarters, and a watercraft docking area.
