Philippine embassy unveils exhibit on ‘Marine Protected Areas’

The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Qatar recently held an exhibit on marine protected areas on the sidelines of the ‘2nd Philippine Choral Festival’ at the Qatar National Convention Centre.

Titled ‘Marine Protected Areas: A Gallery’, the exhibit featured some of the maritime and archipelagic features in the Philippines designated as protected areas.

Speaking during the event, Philippine ambassador Lillibeth V Pono said: “The sites in this exhibit include natural and national parks, marine reserves, as well as protected landscapes and seascapes — a gallery that displays the continuing efforts undertaken by the Philippines to protect its maritime and archipelagic heritage.”

The exhibit was mounted as part of the Philippine embassy’s observance of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) throughout September.

MANA Mo is a platform that synchronises the celebration of all maritime-related events and activities in a single month to achieve a sense of unity and pride among Filipinos in addressing the threats to the coastal and marine environment toward preserving the Philippine maritime heritage.

Part of the preservation of the country’s maritime heritage is the designation of marine protected areas. This falls within the Philippine regulatory regime as outlined under Republic Act No 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, as amended by Republic Act No 11038, or the Expanded NIPAS (ENIPAS) Act.

The NIPAS Act, as amended, provides for the establishment and management of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas to protect and maintain the natural, biological, and physical diversities of the environment, notably in areas with biologically unique features to sustain human life and development, as well as plant and animal life.

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.