The BARMM Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), in partnership with the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), is gearing up for the 15th Joint Management Committee – Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (JMC-TIHPA) Meeting this July in Davao City.
This significant event underscores the strong Philippine-Malaysian cooperation in managing the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Area (TIHPA)—a vital sanctuary for marine biodiversity. TIHPA covers six islands in the Philippines (Taganak, Boan, Great Bakkungan, Lihiman, Langaan, and Baguan) and three in Malaysia (Selingaan, Bakkungan Kechil, and Gulisaan).
As part of the preparations, a preparatory meeting was held on January 23 at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City, where key officials from MENRE and DENR-BMB discussed essential coordination efforts.
MENRE officials, including Administrative and Finance Services Director Al-Sharif M. Tamburani, Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Research, and Development Services Director Mohamad Ali R. Dimaren, and Protected Area Management Division Chief Joeffry L. Kamid, emphasized MENRE’s leadership in overseeing the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (TIWS)—recognized as the 60th ASEAN Heritage Park and a protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018.
Key priorities leading up to the meeting include refining the program, coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and finalizing Philippine representatives’ input before discussions with Malaysia.
With MENRE at the helm, the 15th JMC-TIHPA Meeting is set to further solidify transboundary conservation efforts and strengthen regional collaboration for marine biodiversity protection. Stay tuned for updates! 🌿🐢
