CITY OF SAN FERNANDO —The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will build the first Marine Scientific Research Station (MSRS) in Central Luzon to sustainably manage Aurora’s rich coastal and marine ecosystems.
The MSRS, a 1,000-square-meter land area in Barangay Dibacong in Casiguran town, will serve as a vital hub for innovative studies, ecological monitoring, and informed policy development that enhance the protection and preservation of the province’s coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass, and habitats of countless marine species.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga led the groundbreaking ceremony of the MSRS, and described the station as a symbol of the Department’s commitment to evidence-based governance, regional and global collaboration, and securing a resilient future for coastal communities and marine biodiversity. “Our vision is clear: this station will become a beacon for marine research in the region, strengthening local capacities, fostering partnerships across sectors, and producing knowledge that leads to transformative action. By harmonizing our national and regional research agendas, we will ensure that this facility serves the Philippines and contributes meaningfully to global scientific and conservation efforts,” Loyzaga said.
Aurora Province, nestled along the eastern seaboard of Luzon, is a sanctuary of marine resources and ecological significance. Its coastal waters are part of the Coral Triangle, a global epicenter of marine biodiversity, often called the “Amazon of the seas.”
Loyzaga said the MSRS would not only support sustainable fisheries, protect shorelines, and offer cultural and economic benefits to the people of Aurora, but it would likewise provide baseline studies to address threats brought by climate change and habitat destruction.
“This station is committed to conducting baseline studies on existing wildlife and resources along with their current status across the province which will provide critical data to support research, monitoring, and informed decision-making. In parallel, the MSRS will also explore effective habitat rehabilitation methodologies, ensuring that conservation efforts are both science-based and adaptive,” Loyzaga explained.
For his part, DENR regional executive director Ralph Pablo said the establishment of a marine research station in Central Luzon would deepen understanding of marine ecosystems and build science-based strategies for sustainable management and development.
“The MSRS embodies our government’s commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity and ensures that informed, science-based policies guide our actions toward protecting these vital ecosystems,” Pablo noted.
The DENR will establish MSRS in all six biogeographic regions in the country. Other stations will also be established in Cagayan Valley Region, Eastern Samar, Zamboanga, and Saranggani.
The MSRS in the province of Aurora covers the North Philippines Sea and will focus on the Philippines Rise Marine Resource Reserve.
Aurora Lone District Rep. Rommel Angara, Aurora Gov. Reynante Tolentino, Casiguran Mayor Roynald Soriano, Aurora State College of Technology president Renato Reyes, and Daloy ng Buhay, Inc. president Paul David Watts, together with DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations and Supervising Undersecretary for Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Luzon and Visayas Juan Miguel Cuna, and Undersecretary for Organizational Transformation and Human Resources Augusto Dela Peña, joined Loyzaga and Pablo in the groundbreaking ceremony. DENR-PR
