Young advocates urge DENR to protect, conserve marine biodiversity
YES for Oceans delegates from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao gathered to issue their youth declaration, urging the government to protect the country’s marine biodiversity.
Young marine environment advocates from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao gathered at the WWF Philippines – BPI’s Youth Environment Summit (YES) for Oceans Culminating Activity on Sept. 30 to issue a declaration, urging the government to protect the country’s waters and marine ecosystems.
“We acknowledge and are deeply concerned about the effect of climate change, marine litter, and other anthropogenic threats to marine biodiversity on coastal and marine ecosystems which have a negative impact on human and environmental health, social justice, and marine resources,” said 17-year-old Bea Clarisse Miase, a delegate from General Santos City. “We, therefore, urge the collective effort and support of all stakeholders and partners to act and address these pressing issues coastal communities are facing.”
Miase read a portion of the youth declaration that was submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). She is the youngest delegate to participate in the event this year.
The WWF Philippines National Youth Council (NYC) held the YES for Oceans culminating activity on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the First Pacific Leaders Academy in Antipolo, Rizal with 13 delegates from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The delegates were among the more than 300 participants who attended the YES for Oceans webinar series from June to August.
The National Youth Council submitted the YES for Oceans youth declaration to Jhorace Tupas of the DENR during the culminating activity.
A representative from the DENR personally received a copy of the declaration and affirmed to review and consider the inputs in policy discussions.
“[A]s we have always been saying, you are not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the young leaders of today,” said Jhorace Tupas, DENR Senior Ecosystems Management Specialist for Coastal and Marine Division, Biodiversity Management Bureau. “The declaration for marine conservation that you wish to endorse today will carefully be considered and we will not take this lightly.”
Tupas said the declaration comes at an opportune time since the Philippine delegation to the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December is in the middle of preparing its policy position for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
“Some organizations are sending policy recommendations on how they can help in firming up the Philippine position on the said framework so that document will also help us so that the voice of the youth is also taken into account in the discussions,” she said.
The NYC, led by its members, Ron Caguliodo, Romina Lim, and Mirus Ponon issued the declaration to make a statement and to give their own contributions to the policies that are meant to protect and conserve the country’s marine resources.
Sen. Loren Legarda was among the speakers who addressed the advocates virtually during the culminating activity.
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity said the declaration is a testament to the youth’s commitment to shaping their future and changing the ending for our planet. “We at the ASEAN firmly believe that the young people of today are not just beneficiaries of our conservation efforts but are also an integral part of the solution,” said Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.
Sen. Loren Legarda, an environment advocate herself, also offered words of encouragement to the delegates, underscoring the relevance of their words and dedication to defending nature.
“Indeed it is important for you, the youth of today, to discuss issues such as marine conservation, sustainable economic development, and climate resilience. These issues will define your future,” said the senator.
Members of the Mindanao delegation write their aspirations for the country’s marine environment for an activity.
YES for Oceans is the NYC’s initiative to connect with their fellow young advocates to spread WWF Philippines’ message of environmental conservation, with support from the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).
“You have the right to be most concerned. You have the right to demand because your generation and those coming after stand to be most affected. Continue to push for sustainable positive change,” said Theresa Marcial, President and CEO of BPI Asset Management & Trust Corporation.
“YES for Oceans really took it to a local level instead of just a national situationer on the marine issues our country is facing, so I think that was really one of the reasons why I joined YES for Oceans,” shared 20-year-old Alonzeyah Omangpang from Gingoog, Misamis Oriental.
The YES for Oceans became a venue for shared cause and purpose of the youth. As shared by WWF-Philippines Executive Director Trin Custodio, “This is a group with shared interests, advocacy, and passion for oceans, please consider yourselves among friends. Company matters when you are on a journey and I am glad we have you with us on this journey to change the ending.” With the active participation of the Filipino youth, it is possible to #ChangeTheEnding for our marine environment.
About WWF-Philippines:
The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines is an environmental non-government organization committed to create an impact on biodiversity protection and responding to the climate crisis -towards a safe and just recovery. WWF-Philippines works with a host of partners including national and local governments, to co-create inclusive, innovative, and interdisciplinary solutions that emphasize the role of science in the service of life.
WWF-Philippines' focus is on scaled solutions with our partners to match the enormity of the tasks required to address the urgent environmental challenges facing the present and next generations of Filipinos. Its mission is "to stop, and eventually reverse the accelerating degradation of the Philippine environment – to build a future where Filipinos live in harmony with nature."
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Chezka Guevarra
Assistant Manager for External Communications and Ambassador Programs
09276566436
cguevarra@wwf.org.ph
