Guidelines on the Establishment, Operation, Management, Maintenance, and Implementation of the Program of Work of the Marine Scientific Research Stations (MSRS)

DENR Administrative Order No. 2025-08

Subject: Guidelines on the Establishment, Operation, Management, Maintenance, and Implementation of the Program of Work of the Marine Scientific Research Stations (MSRS)

Signed: January 15, 2025 . Pages: 14

Legal Basis

Pursuant to Article XII, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution; RA 2067 (Science Act of 1958); RA 7586 as amended by RA 11038 (Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018); RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654 (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998); RA 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997); RA 11995 (PENCAS Act of 2024); PD 705 (Revised Forestry Code); RA 9072 (Caves Act of 2001); RA 9147 (Wildlife Act of 2001); RA 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009); RA 10121 (DRRM Act of 2010); RA 11293 (Philippine Innovation Act of 2018); RA 8371 (IPRA of 1997); RA 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991). Aligned with PBSAP, NCCAP, NAP, NDRRMP, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (CBD), UNFCCC, Sendai Framework, Ramsar Convention, CMS, and other global frameworks.

SECTION 1. Basic Policy

The State shall protect the nation's coastal and marine wealth and exclusive economic zone, reserve its use for Filipino citizens, and promote the right to a healthful and balanced ecology.

SECTION 2. Objectives

Guide stakeholders in ensuring sustainable use, management, protection, and conservation of coastal and marine resources via DENR MSRS as research hubs for select marine biogeographic regions, promoting stewardship for present and future generations.

1. Generate baseline information for sustained utilization, management, protection, and conservation of coastal and marine resources
2. Establish partnerships supporting MSRS operationalization and research opportunities for scientists, students, stakeholders
3. Serve as training ground in marine science methodologies and promote environmental awareness/stewardship
4. Contribute to economic development through sustainable fisheries and ecotourism
5. Provide scientific basis for policies and regulations promoting marine conservation and sustainable use

Vision, Mission, and Goals

Vision: A knowledge lighthouse at the forefront of innovation and action for the protection, conservation, and sustainable use of marine resources for current and future generations.

Mission: To secure, discover, and understand the coastal and marine environment for informed decision-making, management, and sustainable development toward an inclusive and climate-resilient future.

SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage

Applies to MSRS establishment under DENR or government-owned land in Regions II, III, VIII, IX, XII, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, and to all subsequent MSRS establishments with corresponding budget allocations.

SECTION 4. Key Definitions

• Biogeographic Regions - geographical areas defined by species/groups they house
• Blue Carbon - atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean
• Blue Economy - practical ocean-based economic model using green infrastructure, innovative financing, and proactive institutional arrangements for protecting oceans/coasts and enhancing sustainable development
• Coastal ecosystems - unique habitats including salt marshes, mangroves, intertidal mudflats, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and other marine areas no deeper than six (6) meters at low tide
• Coral Reefs - natural aggregation of coral skeleton (with or without living polyps) in intertidal and subtidal marine waters
• Locally-Managed Marine Protected Areas (LMMPAs) - MPAs managed locally by LGUs and concerned coastal communities
• Mangroves - trees or shrubs growing in the intertidal zone with adaptations to salt water, wet soils, and tidal fluctuations
• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - defined sea areas established and set aside by law/regulations to conserve and protect part of or the entire enclosed environment
• Marine Protected Areas Network (MPAN) - collection of individual MPAs under a common management system based on physical, biological, governance, and socio-economic criteria
• 4IR/5IR - rapid technological advancement enabling man-machine collaboration, including AI, machine learning, IoT, and robotics

Source: User-uploaded official DENR PDF (DAO-2025-08, 14 pages). Full operational sections including MSRS infrastructure, management committee, and program of work in source PDF.