Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to provide a total of P12 million in funding, equivalent to ₱3 million annually for four years to support the continued protection of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP). This includes research initiatives, protection activities, and community-based efforts, in partnership with the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) and Friends of Tubbataha Inc. (FOT).

The MOA builds on the collaboration established in 2022 under the “Shore It Up! Tubbataha” program, through which MPIF provided P8 million in support from 2022 to 2025. The initiative focuses on environmental protection, scientific research, capacity building, and community engagement to help safeguard one of the country’s most important marine ecosystems.

A Protected Area of Global Importance
Located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a 97,030-hectare marine protected area within the Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Wetland of International importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, signifying its exceptional ecological value not only to the Philippines but to the world.

Home to over 360 coral species and hundreds of fish species, the park provides critical habitat for threatened marine life, including sharks, sea turtles, and seabirds. Its remote location, however, presents continuing challenges in enforcement, monitoring, and protection – making a sustained partnership essential.

Continuing the Work for Our Seas
MPIC Chairman, President, and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan shared that supporting long-term environmental programs remains a key priority for the Group:

“Tubbataha is one of the country’s natural treasures and a crown jewel of Philippine marine biodiversity. The private sector can play a meaningful role by supporting conservation efforts alongside government and communities. Through this partnership, we hope to help ensure that Tubbataha remains a thriving marine sanctuary for generations of Filipinos.”

MPIF President Melody M. Del Rosario added that the renewal reflects the Foundation’s sustained approach to environmental stewardship:

“For nearly two decades, the MVP Group has championed environmental stewardship through the Shore It Up! Program. Now in its 18^th year, the initiative reflects our belief that sustained partnerships and community engagement create lasting impact – not only in preserving critical habitats like TRNP but also strengthening the communities and institutions that safeguard them.”

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park remains one of the Philippines’ most pristine marine ecosystems. With the continuation of this partnership, MPIF, TPAMB, and FOT aim to further strengthen protection efforts while encouraging broader participation in marine conservation.

“Tubbataha thrives where commitments converge, where government sets the course, where partners like MPIF and FOT power the journey, and where we in the field turn that shared resolve into daily protection at sea. This confluence of support, big or small, financial or otherwise, results in a marine protected area that the Philippines can be proud of and the world admires,” said Angelique Songco, Protected Area Superintendent.

Building on Measurable Gains
Over the past several years, the Shore It Up! Tubbataha partnership has delivered strong, measurable gains in strengthening the protection and management of TRNP. Support from MPIF enhanced law enforcement presence offshore, improved ranger welfare and operational capabilities, and strengthened legal follow-through on violations, contributing to more effective protection of the park’s waters and resources.

The program also supported essential biophysical research and monitoring, including surveys of fish, benthos, and seabirds. These efforts generated high-quality data on reef condition, long-term trends, and emerging risks, directly informing management decisions. Alongside this, the initiative sustained marine debris clean-ups, facilities and equipment maintenance, and compliance monitoring aligned with Tubbataha’s designation as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) and Area to be Avoided (ATBA).

Strengthening Conservation Through Collaboration
Through this collaboration, TPAMB will provide on-ground coordination and access to conservation resources, while FOT will manage and disburse funds and ensure proper financial reporting. MPIF, in turn, will support program implementation, mobilize volunteers, and amplify awareness through nationwide communications efforts and environmental advocacy initiatives.

The agreement also outlines regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that programs remain responsive and effective, alongside a transition plan to gradually turn over full program management to TPAMB at the end of the partnership term.

Advancing Sustainable Development Goals Through Conservation
Aligned with Gabay Kalikasan, one of the MVP Group’s Gabay Advocacies for a Sustainable Philippines, Shore It Up! Tubbataha contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through its integrated approach to conservation.

The initiative supports life below water (SDG 14) through sustained protection and monitoring of marine ecosystems, while its research and ecosystem management efforts contribute to climate action (SDG 13) by strengthening resilience against environmental threats. Capacity-building and institutional support also help advance sustainable communities (SDG 11), while the collaboration among MPIF, TPAMB, and FOT highlights the role of partnerships (SDG 17) in driving long-term environmental impact.