MUNTINLUPA CITY — The Chair of Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 1 Management Board and Regional Director of the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 2 delivered a comprehensive presentation on the agency’s ongoing initiatives in the Philippine Rise during the Maritime Domain Awareness Training held from September 9 -11, 2025 in Muntinlupa City, NCR.

The training, organized by environmental legal organization Tanggol Kalikasan in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, brought together key stakeholders to deepen understanding of maritime domain awareness and its significance to national sovereignty and marine resource protection.

Representatives from the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, and Camarines Norte, including 38 municipalities and various national government agencies, participated in the three-day training.

Dr. Encarnacion highlighted efforts under FMA 1 to sustainably manage fisheries resources and protect the biodiversity of the Philippine Rise, a strategic and resource-rich area east of Luzon.

Organizers emphasized that enhancing maritime domain awareness is crucial to safeguarding the country’s marine territories and strengthening inter-agency cooperation for environmental protection and national security.