DENR marks Ocean Month, International Day of Biodiversity

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be celebrating Ocean Month and International Day of Biodiversity this month.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the themes, “Buhay Dagat, Buhay Natin” for the National Month of the Ocean and “Marine Biodiversity” for International Day of Biodiversity, highlight the importance of the country’s marine resources in sustaining human life.

“There is a direct correlation between marine life and human life on land; the survival of one depends on the other. This ‘double celebration’ for May will therefore aim to raise the awareness level on that relationship,” he said.

Paje said the celebrations also support the Manila Declaration on Furthering the Implementation of the Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities that representatives of 65 governments and the European Commission signed last January.

The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) has lined up month-long activities to highlight issues surrounding the conservation and management of the country’s marine life, as well as increase practical action among stakeholders, he added.

The celebrations will start tomorrow at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.

Paje and PAWB officials will lead participants at the opening ceremony by donning blue shirts for a “Blue Day Campaign” to drum up awareness on the celebration for the ocean.

An underwater photo contest will be launched in coordination with the Network of Underwater Digital Imagers.

Paje said the contest is open to all amateur and professional photographers who could best depict ocean conservation through pictures, with winners to be announced and awarded during the Ocean Jam on May 25.

The ceremony will end with the inauguration of an exhibit where DENR’s partners in marine conservation will showcase educational materials for the public.