Alabang – A three-day Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Training was held from September 9 to 11, 2025, at The Bellevue Manila in Alabang, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the protection of the country’s maritime resources.
Participants included representatives from municipal, provincial, and academic institutions in Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, and Camarines Norte, as well as national agencies such as the DILG, DENR, DA-BFAR, PCG, DOT, and DOTr.
Organized by Tanggol Kalikasan in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior–Office of International Affairs, and supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the training focused on strengthening understanding and coordination in the maritime domain, particularly in relation to the Philippine Rise.
A Whole-of-Nation Approach
DILG Assistant Secretary Lilian De Leon emphasized in her keynote the importance of a “whole-of-society, whole-of-nation, and whole-of-government approach” to ensure protection and sustainable use of the Philippine Rise. She expressed hope that the training would serve as a catalyst for stronger intergovernmental partnerships.
Adding to the call for collaboration, Mr. Nick Bruscato, Program Manager of the U.S. The Department of the Interior’s Office of International Affairs, underscored the significance of sustained partnerships between the Philippines and the U.S., calling the effort a contribution to the “ironclad relationship” between the two nations.
The training featured resource speakers from U.S. agencies, including Brian R. Hooker (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management), Guy Cochrane (U.S. Geological Survey), Grant Demesillo (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), and Captain Jason Lehto (U.S. Coast Guard). They shared expertise on various aspects of MDA, which centers on understanding maritime activities that affect security, safety, economic activity, and marine ecosystem health.
The event highlighted the need for continued cooperation and knowledge-sharing to safeguard the Philippines’ maritime resources for future generations.