In preparation for the full implementation of the ASEAN ENMAPS project, the ACB, in coordination with the Coastal and Marine Division of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB-CMD) of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, participated in the quarterly Executive Committee Meeting of the Protected Area Management Board of the Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS) last 5 August 2025.
The ACB engaged with PAMB area coordinators, executive committee members, area representatives, and other relevant agencies and stakeholders in the management of the TBPPS by presenting the planned activities and identifying concrete areas for collaboration and synergy with ongoing conservation efforts in the site.
In a resolution, the TBPPS PAMB approved the activities for this year proposed by the ACB. Such activities include governance and staffing preparation, stakeholder engagement and orientation, research and data gathering, conduct of training needs assessment, and partnerships and capacity development activities.
TBPPS is one of the 11 pilot sites of the ASEAN ENMAPS Project. It is considered the second largest protected area in the Philippines, and is a critical protected area as it possesses different ecosystems such as mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs that house abundant flora and fauna. Such seascape is significant area for conservation as it represents a mosaic of interconnected systems that support biodiversity and vital ecological services.
The conservation importance of TBPPS directly aligns with the objectives of the ASEAN ENMAPS Project, which aims to establish a network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia to increase the protection, management, and resilience of globally significant biodiversity across the region. It applies science-based strategies to conserve biodiversity and sustain fisheries. The project also aims to strengthen governance, build the capacity of stakeholders, promote knowledge sharing, and advance sustainable financing for long-term conservation.
ASEAN ENMAPS is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme through the funding of the Global Environment Facility, and with the ACB as the executing agency.
