The Philippines, with nearly 80% of its territory consisting of marine waters, can successfully pursue growth opportunities by sustainably harnessing marine resources and advancing its blue economy.
This was according to Dr. Rhodora Azanza, former President of the National Academy of Science and Technology, and Dr. Maria Christina Paler, Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology of the University of San Carlos (USC). Both experts highlighted the Philippines’ strong position as a maritime nation, and the need to balance resource utilization with sustainability during the symposium on “Shaping APEC’s Blue Economy Agenda: Philippine Leadership and Visayas-Centric Innovations”, led by the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN) of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in collaboration with USC.
“The Philippines is more water than land. We are almost 75% to 80% marine, and only less than 30% land,” Azanza noted. “Most Filipinos are coastal dwellers, especially in the Visayas, and we need to harness this potential for the good [of the communities and the nation],” she continued.
Azanza further elaborated on key opportunities in tourism, renewable energy, ports, and drug development as pivotal areas where the Philippines can lead. She also noted the significance of interdisciplinary approaches and recent legislative efforts, such as the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS), to address challenges in the blue economy.
Coastal and marine tourism hold significant promise in driving economic growth, especially in the Visayas. “About 12.7% of the GDP was estimated to come from biodiversity tourism in 2019,” she stated. Coastal tourism not only generates revenue but also creates livelihood opportunities for communities while fostering environmental awareness.
Port development is another critical area for economic expansion. Enhancing port infrastructure can boost trade and connectivity, facilitating the movement of goods and services both domestically and internationally. Strategic investments in this sector can position the Philippines as a hub for maritime commerce in the Asia-Pacific region.
The country’s coastal and marine areas can also provide ideal locations for renewable energy generation, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts while creating new industries and jobs. “The Department of Energy estimated in 2020 that 15 sites were qualified to generate an estimated 265 million megawatts of electricity. With support from scientists and engineers, this could be realized in the very near future,” Azanza said.
Adding to this, Dr. Paler highlighted that the country is in a good position to benefit more from marine resources, but challenges in achieving sustainability persist. She emphasized that sea fishing, as a pillar of the blue economy, is critical because of its implications to food security and employment. “Marine fishing is a key component of the blue economy, because it provides a substantial amount of our globally consumed animal protein, and in the Philippines, it ensures food and employment security,” she explained.
Both experts stressed the importance of preserving marine ecosystems as the foundation of a sustainable blue economy.
Safeguarding ecological integrity is essential for ensuring the sustainable growth of industries such as fisheries and tourism while maintaining ecological balance. Science and technology must be leveraged for the country to successfully innovate toward becoming a prosperous maritime nation, they concluded.
Watch the recording of the symposium at bit.ly/pidslive021925.
