(Delivered by Allan Willard Estillore, OIC-PENRO, Batangas City)

(Salutations)

This year’s celebration of the World Water Day and the Philippine Water Week is focused on the promotion and support to the growth and sustainability of critical marine habitats especially of our coral reef ecosystem.

The municipality of Lobo, Batangas prides itself of its majestic coastlines, pristine beaches, magnificent land formations, and famous dive sites. It is among the most popular ecotourism destinations in Batangas. This is not surprising considering the commitment and dedication of the local government officials and community members of the Municipality of Lobo Batangas in the protection, management, and conservation of their coastal and marine resources.

Lobo was able to install more than 8 thousand artificial reefs since 2014 along with the strict provisions and legislations toward the protection of their aquatic resources that significantly contributed to the preservation of the world’s Center of the Center of Marine Biodiversity, the Verde Island Passage, a 10-mile strait between Batangas and Mindoro.

With this, we in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, together with the Noble Queens of the Universe Limited Incorporated, extend our support to strengthen this advocacy as we continue to work on projects and activities that will nurture these precious resources.

The artificial reef installation and mangrove tree planting activity are results of a fruitful partnership with the Municipality of Lobo. We hope to spark inspiration and more partnerships with other organizations and local communities in pursuing activities on environmental protection.

The Municipality of Lobo has also been our staunch partner for the past years in various activities like information, education, and communication campaigns, ecotours, and mangrove tree planting while the Noble Queens, as a new partners and advocates for the environment, have just started to engage on significant environmental events.

On behalf of the DENR, I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Municipality of Lobo, the Noble Queens, and to our other partners present here today for being instrumental in making this celebration successful.

Let us all continue to be more passionate in supporting the other programs and projects of the DENR.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay po tayong lahat