The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is intensifying efforts to protect the Philippine Rise through the construction of a Marine Scientific Research Station (MSRS) in Casiguran, Aurora.
The facility, under construction in Barangay Dibacong, has already reached 25 percent physical accomplishment as of mid-May 2026, according to DENR Aurora Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Alfredo Collado in a statement on Thursday.
Once completed, the research station will serve as a strategic hub for scientific studies, marine monitoring, and conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding the Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve (PRMRR) and nearby coastal ecosystems.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized the importance of the project in strengthening the country’s science-based approach to marine conservation.
“The Philippine Rise is one of the country’s most important marine frontiers. Through this research station, we are strengthening our ability to understand, monitor, and protect its rich marine resources using science-based information and coordinated field action,” Pablo said.
The facility will support marine biodiversity assessments, studies on spawning grounds and deep-sea corals, climate monitoring, and other scientific research essential to the sustainable management of the Philippine Rise.
Located east of Luzon, the Philippine Rise is recognized for its ecological and strategic significance due to its rich marine biodiversity, contribution to fisheries productivity, food security, and climate resilience.
The DENR said the MSRS will also improve research operations, biodiversity monitoring, enforcement activities, and coordination among government agencies, scientists, local communities, and environmental partners working to protect the marine reserve.
The project, awarded to Grand Apex Construction Inc. in December 2025, continues to undergo regular monitoring by DENR Region 3 to ensure compliance with environmental standards, particularly due to its proximity to sensitive coastal ecosystems. (PNA)
