PHL feted for Tubbataha Reef conservation effort

The Philippines received international praise this week for its coral reef conservation in Tubbataha Reef, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

 

A DFA news release said the World Future Council conferred on the Philippines a Silver Future Policy Award for its 2010 Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act.

 

"With the Future Policy Award we want to cast a spotlight on policies that lead by example. The aim of the World Future Council is to raise awareness for exemplary policies and speed up policy action towards just, sustainable and peaceful societies," the DFA quoted Alexandra Wandel, Director of the World Future Council, as saying (http://www.dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/newsroom/dfa-releases/6440-ph-recognized-for-conservation-effort-in-tubbataha-reefs).

 

It also feted the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act as an exemplary policy that has "contributed most effectively to the sustainable management of the world's oceans and coasts for the benefit of current and future generations."

 

The DFA said the award was announced last Wednesday during a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York, coinciding with the UN General Assembly.

 

An awards ceremony is scheduled on Oct. 16 at the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Hyderabad, India.

 

Other awards recognized the efforts of Palau, Namibia, South Africa, and California. Thirty-one policies from 22 countries were nominated for awards.

 

Nominations were assessed by an international jury of experts from the academe, politics, international bodies, civil society and indigenous groups from five continents.

 

World Future Council is an international policy research organization that aims "to safeguard the rights of future generations" through advocacies on environment, sustainable development and social justice.

 

Its 2012 Future Policy Award highlights the challenges faced by the world's oceans as well as exemplary solutions to protect them.

 

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act ensures the effective management of the Tubbataha Reefs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and hotspot of coral reef biodiversity.

 

Local authorities and non-government organizations engaged in protecting Tubbataha have received praise because of the excellent condition of the reefs, the DFA said.

 

"Tubbataha's example has also shown that carefully planned management can result in benefits for local communities since Tubbataha is a nursery site for fish supporting local artisanal fisheries," it added.

 

Similar legislation has been enacted for neighboring Apo Reef, it noted.

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said the Future Policy Award provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action.

 

"The ocean world is in all our daily lives. Even for the many millions of people who may not think that they have a strong reliance on oceans, marine ecosystems and wildlife provide all kinds of benefits. The Future Policy Award provides the opportunity to raise awareness of the issue and increase practical action," he said.

 

"National policies have to consider the needs of local communities and incorporate their traditional knowledge of the ecosystems and the natural resources these communities depend on - to ensure the sustainable use and management thereof," added jury member Pauline Tangiora. — TJD, GMA News