PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not allow mining or oil exploration in the Benham Rise, which he agreed to be named as Philippine Rise, the Department of Agriculture said.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Duterte has approved his proposal of renaming Benham Rise into Philippine Rise.
“In addition, Pres. Duterte declared Philippine Rise as Protected Food Supply Exclusive Zone,” he said.
With this declaration, the Philippines will no longer allow mining or oil exploration in the 13 million-hectare Benham Rise, he added.
“I defended to the President that rather than focus on searching for mining or oil activities (in the Benham Rise), we have to protect it because I see a P25-billion (food supply) potential there,” Pinol said.
The DA Secretary said the President also approved his proposal for the Philippine government to establish a facility in the shallowest portion called the Benham Bank, including a big cold storage as the region has been proven to be rich source of yellow fin tuna.
He said Duterte ordered him to facilitate the study on the possibility of establishing a structure in the Benham Rise.
“This will serve as research facility and advance command post center in the area to avoid rampant cases of illegal fishing,” Pinol stressed.
He noted that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had established from its own studies that the Philippines loses $30 billion every year from illegal fishing and poaching. (SDR/SunStar Philippines)