DENR sets 5-year effort to protect Philippine RisePhoto taken on March 7, 2025, shows the facade of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office on Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. MANILA, Philippines — Amid threats to the country’s marine resources, food security and maritime domain, the government has begun a five-year effort to protect the Philippine Rise, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday. A part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the area formerly called Benham Rise is known to be rich in biodiversity, fish stocks and gas deposits. It will be implemented through the Biodiversity Management Bureau, in partnership with Conservation International and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia. A 434,517-hectare portion of the Philippine Rise was declared the Philippine Rise Marine Resource Reserve (PRMRR) in 2018 under Presidential Proclamation No.

Source: Philippine Star February 13, 2026 19:52 UTC