PROTECTED. Fishermen in Panaon Island in Southern Leyte in this undated photo. An international marine conservation group welcomed on Monday (Sept. 1, 2025) the signing of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as this will boost marine conservation, food and livelihood security, and climate resilience. (Photo courtesy of Oceana Philippines)
TACLOBAN CITY – An international marine conservation group welcomed the signing of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) Law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as it would boost marine conservation, food and livelihood security, and climate resilience.
Oceana said the law will bring national focus to this island, identified as part of the 50 priority reefs in the world, highly likely to withstand the devastating impacts of climate change.
"The PIPS Law was forged by years of scientific research, persistent advocacy, local organizing, and community participation. This policy milestone defends marine biodiversity, enhances food security, and fights poverty. In essence, this law is a declaration that the protection of our oceans is an investment in our future and collective survival. Empowering communities to manage their seas sustainably should be part of the nation's blueprint against poverty and hunger," said Oceana Vice President Von Hernandez in a statement Monday.
President Marcos signed on Aug. 29 the PIPS Law, a measure that officially establishes the island, a 61,204-hectare marine sanctuary covering the towns of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo in Southern Leyte.
The island is not only home to endangered species, such as whale sharks and the Philippine duck, but also serves as a crucial breeding and nursery ground for fish that sustain the local communities' food and livelihood security, according to Oceana.
Citing its far-reaching impact, Hernandez said the law's passage is also a strategic investment in climate resilience. Panaon Island's coral reefs were found to have 60 percent of excellent coral cover, three times above the national average of around 20 percent.
"With Panaon Island's protection strengthened, the Philippines takes a significant step toward meeting global biodiversity targets and building a resilient, inclusive blue economy that benefits both people and the planet," Hernandez added.
The new law mandates the creation of a comprehensive management plan, engaging local stakeholders, scientists, and government agencies to ensure that conservation efforts yield tangible benefits for both people and nature.
"We will be more biased towards environmental protection because we want not only the benefits but also to sustain our advocacy to make our province progressive. For me, tourism and environmental protection should go hand in hand. It should already be accepted that the environment should be taken care of. We should not debate on that," said Southern Leyte 1st district Rep. Roger Mercado in a statement.
Coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses in Panaon serve as natural buffers, protecting coastlines from storm surges and flooding while storing significant amounts of blue carbon.
These ecosystems sequester carbon at rates far higher than terrestrial forests, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change and supporting national commitments to the global blue carbon agenda, according to Oceana. (PNA)
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