๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ ๐ โ The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is strengthening coastal protection and marine turtle conservation in Zambales through science-based assessments aimed at identifying vulnerable shorelines and safeguarding critical nesting habitats.
This came after the DENR conducted Phase I of the CABATALES Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network Joint Field Assessment to establish baseline data for coastal management and biodiversity conservation across Cavite, Bataan, and Zambales.
The CABATALES MPA Network brings together conservation efforts across the three provinces to strengthen marine biodiversity protection, assess coastal vulnerabilities, and improve coordination among government agencies and local stakeholders. In Zambales, the assessment will provide scientific information to guide coastal management measures and help protect marine turtle nesting habitats and other vital coastal ecosystems.
Marife Castillo, head of the DENR provincial office in Zambales, said the assessment covered Bani in Masinloc, La Paz in San Narciso, Driftwood Beach in Olongapo City, and Binoclutan in Botolan.
Technical teams conducted Coastal Integrity Vulnerability Assessments (CIVAT) and beach profiling to document shoreline conditions, assess erosion risks, and examine factors that may affect coastal stability and marine turtle nesting habitats.
Castillo said the findings will help guide future conservation measures and coastal management interventions, particularly in identifying areas that may require further assessment and protection.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized the importance of science-based planning and inter-agency cooperation in addressing coastal vulnerabilities and protecting marine biodiversity.
โUnderstanding the condition of our coastlines is essential to identifying areas that need protection and determining appropriate conservation measures. Through science-based assessments and close coordination with local government units and our partners, we can strengthen efforts to protect marine turtle nesting habitats, conserve coastal ecosystems, and help communities prepare for coastal hazards,โ Pablo said.
The assessment was undertaken by the DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) โ Coastal and Marine Division, DENR regional and field offices, and the Provincial Government of Zambales.
The results are expected to be presented during the CABATALES Network Marine Turtle Conservation Summit on November 15โ17, 2026, in Metro Manila.
This upcoming summit will bring together DENR offices, local government units, and partner organizations to discuss the findings, work toward finalizing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), and establish a coordinated framework for marine turtle conservation and coastal sustainability across Central and Southern Luzon.
