The Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) recently played a key role in shaping the future direction of regional geoscience efforts by participating in the 2nd Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) Strategic Plan 2026–2030 Working Group Meeting.
The meeting, held in Bangkok, Thailand on September 10-11, 2025, aimed to formulate the next five-year strategic plan for CCOP, aligning it with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Dr Kevin L. Garas, Senior Geologist of the DENR-MGB Lands Geological Survey Division, served as the official Philippine representative to the Working Group. He was joined by Department of Energy (DOE) delegates—Mr Demujin Antiporda, Assistant Director, and Mr Jose Mari Arcega of the Energy Resource Development Bureau (ERDB)—forming the Philippine delegation.
The two-day session saw the Working Group, composed of representatives from countries including Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, France, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, finalise the Vision and Mission Statements, as well as the Strategic Aims and Objectives for CCOP’s 2026–2030 term.
The meeting’s main focus was to develop a concrete Action Plan and discuss potential regional projects and collaborative activities that CCOP Member and Cooperating Countries can jointly implement over the next five years.
To ensure the Action Plan aligns with national priorities, the Philippine delegation delivered a 15-minute presentation on its priority geoscience programmes for the next five years. These priorities cover critical areas in mineral resources, disaster risk management, environment, and energy transition:
-
Critical Minerals Development: Enhancing exploration, value addition, processing, and database management. The Philippines was recommended for expanded collaboration, building on the upcoming second phase of the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) Project on Critical Minerals.
-
Geohazards, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change: Focusing on innovative early warning systems and efficient information transmission between national and local governments, including the use of Artificial Intelligence for warning advisories. The country can lead a new regional project on effective disaster risk communication and digital transformation.
-
Geoheritage and Geoparks: Promoting national geological monuments such as the Biri Rocks and supporting new geopark proponents following the declaration of the Bohol Island Geopark as the first UNESCO Global Geopark in the Philippines.
-
Natural Hydrogen Exploration: Developing the potential of natural hydrogen gas—formed by the interaction of ultramafic rocks and water in ophiolite belts—as an alternative energy source. The DOE can spearhead regional exploration and management strategies for this emerging energy resource.
-
Progressive Rehabilitation and Coal Mine Decommissioning: Institutionalising strategies, including the establishment of the Coal Mine Contingency and Decommissioning Fund (CMCDF), as part of energy transition initiatives.
The DENR-MGB remains steadfast in its commitment to the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP). Recognising the significant progress achieved through regional and international geoscience cooperation, the MGB will continue to actively participate in CCOP programmes.
The Bureau fully supports the development and implementation of the CCOP Strategic Plan 2026–2030, ensuring that CCOP activities remain aligned with the Philippines’ priority geoscience and sustainable development goals. Through this strengthened collaboration, the Philippines looks forward to leading regional initiatives in disaster risk reduction and natural hydrogen exploration for the benefit of all member countries.
