By virtue of Proclamation No. 489 signed on May 15, 2018, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte proclaimed a portion of the Philippine Rise as the Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve.

A portion of the said area measuring to 49,684 hectares was declared as a Strict Protection Zone or area for actual ground survey and delineation for only Filipino scientists. The remaining 352,390 hectares was declared as Special Fisheries Management Area.

The areas mentioned are under the administrative jurisdiction and control of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). In coordination and consultation with the Department of Agriculture, thru Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Energy, and other concerned agencies, DENR shall conduct assessment and develop the management plan, including research framework for the area.

Any form of destruction or disturbance to the marine ecosystem of the Philippine Rise is prohibited, punishable and subject for penalties under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (RA No. 7586), the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA No. 9147), Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 8550, as amended by RA 10654), and other applicable laws, rules and regulation.

On May 18, 2018 President Duterte led the send-off of 50 Filipino Scientists who will conduct a six-month Coordinated National Marine Scientific Research Initiatives and Related Activities or CONMIRA in the waters above the Philippine Rise. ###

(Photo shows Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol supervising the off-loading of a fish aggregating device locally known as payao during the Philippine Rise Expedition held on May 5-7, 2017.)