The Philippines has worked for over 20 years on the protection of the marine environment within and beyond its territorial waters. As it celebrated the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement by over 60 countries on September 23, 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expresses grave concern over the reported destruction of coral reefs, marine ecosystems and biodiversity resources in the West Philippine Sea.

DENR statement on West PHL Sea coral destruction. (2023, September 26). Daily Guardian, p. 5.