Youth Initiatives Contribute in the Enactment of Panaon Island Protected Seascape
- Mangrove Matters PH
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
Quezon City, Philippines (September 4, 2025) - A gathering of young environmental advocates, governments, non-government organizations, and advocates took place at the Panaon Island Press Conference, organized by Oceana, in Quezon City to announce and celebrate the significant approval of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last August 29, 2025.
PIPS is a coastal haven located in Southern Leyte, specifically within the municipalities of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo. This protected seascape harbors 61,204 hectares including vital coastal habitats like mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses that play an important role in ensuring food security, livelihood, biodiversity, and promoting climate resilience. Notably,whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are distributed in the seascape which is considered to be the largest shark species in the world and known to be endangered, thus conservation efforts are of paramount importance to protect this species.
This is a celebration as youth members across the Philippines have been instrumental in shaping the protection of Panaon Island. Way back in December 2024, the youth attended the senate hearings on the proposed 11 protected areas and had prior conversations with the senators and their offices asking for their genuine support for the bills. Different interventions were done such as having educational discussions and a social media campaign was launched to promote the initiative. Currently, 6 out of the 11 protected areas have been signed by the President as Republic Acts, underscoring the commitment of the Philippines in line with the 30x30 target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
“We, the youth, have always stood with Oceana and other environmental groups in promoting the welfare of our marine ecosystems and coastal communities, and we are happy that many of them support and invest in youth participation in these causes, especially in policy development,” said Leo Anthony Castro, Executive Director of Mangrove Matters PH.
“The youth are among the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. With so much at stake, their proactive involvement is crucial to building a sustainable future. The energy, enthusiasm, and earnest engagement of young advocates- especially in the campaign to protect Panaon Island- showcase the power of passion when purpose meets action. Our youth can be among our strongest allies in driving meaningful change and in securing important policy victories. We need more youthful voices leading the way, lighting the path, and lifting the cause of environmental protection”, Atty. Ma. Nikka Andrea Oquias, MPA Campaign Lead of Oceana, stressed. She also expressed the warm support of the youth in this campaign and we need to get more young people to be involved.
Environmental educators such as Genea Nichole Cortez, Science Communication Lead of Mangrove Matters PH, and Mark David de Guzman, Founder of One Pawikan Initiative, have been largely involved in the senate hearing last December. They advocate for the incorporation of environmental education into the school curriculum to foster environmental and climate literacy and appreciation among students from a young age.
“If we want long-term protection for places like Panaon Island, we need to start with education. When young people learn early about the value of mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses, they grow up not just as advocates but as stewards of these ecosystems.” — Genea Nichole Cortez, Science Communication Lead of Mangrove Matters PH
Kisha Muaña, Policy and Advocacy Officer of Wetlands International Philippines, stated that the communities have a huge role in conservation. “In Panaon Island, it is the fisherfolk and coastal communities who will benefit the most, and they are recognized as the guardians of the sea. The government should support our fisherfolk as they are also vulnerable to climate change and they are considered among the poorest sectors in the country, yet they are champions in terms of food security”, Muaña added.
It is indeed a celebration that we have more protected areas in the Philippines. Nature-based solutions such as protecting our ecosystems is a way for us to be resilient from the impacts of the climate crisis. With this, it is high time to call our governments to prioritize their commitments to safeguard our ecosystems that also, in return, protect us.
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