Philippines' LNG Expansion Threatens Biodiversity in Verde Island Passage

The Philippines aims to become a liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub, but projects in Batangas City since 2023 have contaminated the Verde Island Passage (VIP), affecting over two million Filipinos reliant on fisheries. Industrial activities disrupt marine ecosystems, with genetic changes in fish populations leading to reduced survival and reproductive success.

Urgent legal protections for VIP are needed, as the VIP Protected Seascape Bill of 2022 remains unpassed. Experts warn that fossil fuel infrastructure could worsen marine traffic and pollution. Projections indicate a significant decline in species richness by 2050, particularly in areas targeted for LNG expansion. Sustainable development must align with environmental conservation to protect biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.