The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will spend nearly P1 billion to conduct geological investigation and exploration of minerals within the Philippine Rise, a 25-million hectare shallow continental shelf east of the main island of Luzon that could be the next big source of huge revenues for the Philippine government. Jonas Leones, a newly designated DENR spokesperson, said the DENR has allotted a separate budget for Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to conduct their own exploration in Philippine Rise. According to him, the budget for both agencies could reach P500 million each or likely the same amount they received in 2017.

Miraflor, M. B. (2018, February 7). DENR to spend P1-B to explore Philippine Rise. Manila Bulletin, p. B-3