The government’s protection and conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding the Verde Island Passage, one of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystems, received a significant boost on Thursday, May 16, when the Lopez Group reaffirmed its commitment as a corporate steward of what has been described as natural treasure.

The power producer First Gen Corporation (First Gen) and the ABS-CBN Foundation, both of the Lopez Group, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Energy (DOE) in a partnership “for the conservation, protection and enhancement of biodiversity and coastal marine resources of the VIP.”

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga expressed gratitude for the Lopez Group’s renewed commitment to safeguarding the Verde Island Passage (VIP), acknowledging their invaluable efforts in preserving this ecological gem for 20 years. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalizes the group’s collaboration with the government, cementing their shared dedication to preserving what she described as a “natural treasure.”

“This agreement underscores the Lopez Group’s unwavering support and advocacy for the conservation of the Philippines’ natural resources, particularly the vital marine biodiversity found within the VIP. By partnering with the private sector, the government aims to strengthen its initiatives to protect the ecosystem. This collective effort not only benefits the coastal communities surrounding the VIP but also ensures a sustainable environment for future generations of Filipinos,” she said.

ABS-CBN Foundation is the non-profit organization of the Lopez Group with advocacies in child welfare, education, environment, disaster relief, and livelihood. First Gen, on the other hand, is the country’s top producer of clean and renewable energy, including wind, hydro, geothermal, and natural gas.

First Gen’s strong advocacy for the VIP began twenty years ago, when it co-pioneered conservation and protection activities for the VIP’s marine ecosystem through the Center of Center Program (COC), a partnership with environmental groups including Conservation International-Philippines, and First Philippine Conservation Inc. (FPCI), a Lopez Group non-profit entity advocating a clean environment.

The COC Program, borne from the research of renowned marine scientists Kent Carpenter and Victor Springer, has since expanded to other provinces and now covers over 54 marine protected areas.
“The most important people involved in all of this are those who live by the coastlines of the VIP. They’re the ones who are most invested in protecting it, they are the ones most affected because their main source of livelihood is from it. We need to show these coastline communities what is beneath the surface so they see how rich they truly are, and they understand this is as much theirs to have but also to protect,” expressed Roberta Lopez-Feliciano, Managing Director of the ABS-CBN Foundation.

The two organizations have spearheaded numerous conservation and protection efforts in the country, particularly in the VIP. Initiatives in collaboration with the SEA Institute, De la Salle University and the California Academy of Sciences led to the nomination of the VIP as one of the world’s Hope Spots. It is a global recognition given by the international marine conservation non-profit organization Mission Blue to special places scientifically identified as critical to the health of the oceans.

“Batangas, where we pioneered natural gas-fired power generation in the Philippines, is now home to four of First Gen’s power plants. It was and still is incumbent upon us to do all we can to make sure our presence is not just benign but enhancing to the environment. Our support for VIP also adheres to our group’s mission of forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future. As COC Program steward, we are optimistic that closer cooperation with the DENR and the DOE will better protect VIP’s marine and coastal areas to help sustain present and future generations of Filipinos living there,” explained Federico Lopez, chairman and CEO of First Gen and its parent firm First Philippine Holdings Corporation.

In her message at the signing of the MOU, Secretary Loyzaga cited efforts of ABS-CBN Foundation and First Gen in the protection and conservation of the VIP.

“The initiative of First Gen is an example of using evidence- and science-based strategies for sustainable development. As I have said before, the science has to get done,” Secretary Loyzaga said.

The Verde Island Passage is the center of the Coral Triangle, the epicenter world’s marine life diversity. Dubbed the “center of the center,” the critical waterway between the Luzon mainland and Mindoro Island covers the provinces of Batangas, Marinduque, Romblon, and Occidental and Oriental Mindoro. It also serves as a busy channel for commercial vessels and ferries, a source of livelihood for fishing and ecotourism, on top of thousands of other businesses along its shoreline.

“By collaborating with all stakeholders, we can find mutually beneficial solutions that safeguard the Verde Island Passage while also ensuring reliable and resilient energy access for our people as we transition to clean, sustainable energy,” added Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla.

The government’s MOU with the Lopez Group comes on the heels of a similar agreement with three of the country’s biggest conglomerates – the MVP Group’s Metro Pacific Investment Corporation (MPIC), the Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), and San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
Similar to the previous MOU, the agreement with the Lopez-owned firms calls for the signatories to collaborate with local government units, non-government organizations, the academe, international development agencies, coastal communities, people’s organizations, and other private entities for the protection and enhancement of the biodiversity and coastal marine resources on the VIP.#