Mabini Dialogue Examines Environmental Stewardship in the West Philippine Sea

Dr. Deo Florence L. Onda shares findings of the UP MSI expeditions in the West Philippine Sea and adjacent waters.

MANILA 12 July 2024 – The Foreign Service Institute conducted the Mabini Dialogue on “Environmental Stewardship in the West Philippine Sea” held on 26 June 2024 at the Carlos P. Romulo Library, DFA Building, Pasay.

This Mabini Dialogue featured Dr. Deo Florence L. Onda, Associate Professor of the University of the Philippines - Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI). Dr. Onda received his PhD at Université Laval in Quebec, Canada and his Postdoctoral work at Alfred Wegener Institute–Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research in Germany both in 2017.

In his presentation, Dr. Onda discussed the various environmental activities that are harmful to the waters: from poaching, overfishing, oil spills, and artificial island building as continuing national territorial threats to water pollution, climate change, ocean-based plastics pollution as new and emerging national territorial threats.

In the West Philippine Sea, these threats are increasing at a very fast level that necessitates local, national, and regional action. The Marine Science Institute is doing extensive research using drones and AI models to improve the manual process and to count and identify the garbage and debris that accumulate in the coastal areas of the West Philippine Sea all year round. The data accumulated are monitored in the Philippine Plastics Monitoring Map. He said that more research and data finding is needed to find a solution to the West Philippine Sea pollution.

Engaging in research is imperative in formulating targeted solutions for effective policymaking. He suggested that states may collaborate through joint or concerted marine scientific research (MSR) to understand the magnitude of environmental challenges in the West Philippine Sea. He also underscored that science can play a role as a non-aggressive intervention for peace and development in the West Philippine Sea. 

Participants of the Mabini Dialogue included attendees from the FSI, members of the diplomatic corps, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Far Eastern University, other government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international and local media, and the academe.

FSI is the training and research office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, created under Presidential Decree No. 1060 and expanded by Republic Act No. 7157. The FSI Board is chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs with the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the FSI Director General, the President of the University of the Philippines, and the President of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as members. END

FSI Officer-in-Charge and Executive Director Lolita B. Capco with Dr. Deo Onda (middle), members of the diplomatic corps, Philippine Coast Guard, and the academe.