Sen. Legarda Calls for Inventory of Philippine Marine Resources in the Benham Region

30 AUGUST 2011 UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK – SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA, CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, CALLED FOR AN INVENTORY OF PHILIPPINE MARINE RESOURCES IN THE BENHAM RISE REGION, EMPHASIZING THAT THIS WOULD “GIVE THE PHILIPPINES A CLEARER VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR STAKE IN OUR EXTENDED CONTINENTAL SHELF IN THE BENHAM RISE REGION AND WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE TASKS WE NEED TO FOCUS ON TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND MANAGE OUR VALUABLE RESOURCES.”
In her statement issued after the meeting between the Philippine delegation and the Philippine Subcommission established to consider the Philippines’ partial submission of data and information on the outer limits of the Continental Shelf here, Senator Legarda pointed out follow through action by the Philippines’legislature relied on data that would be provided by concerned agencies, particularly the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the Bureau of Fisheries, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy.
“Based on the geomorphological features of the region, we have been told that the area brings bright promises in terms of energy, mineral and other biological marine resources,” said Senator Legarda. “An inventory will confirm what we need to know and this is vital for prioritizing the next steps that we should make,” added Senator Legarda.
Senator Legarda also said an inventory of resources also brings to the fore the importance of research and development activities by institutions of higher learning such as the University of the Philippines’ National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) and agencies such as the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).
“There is expertise and experience that can be tapped and developed. We should do what we can to help further build the capacities and capabilities of our own experts in such a crucial area,” added Senator Legarda.
Senator Legarda is part of the Philippine delegation that met with the Philippine Subcommision.
The Philippine delegation is headed by Undersecretary Peter Tiangco of NAMRIA.