Manila, Philippines — The Operational Plan of the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy (OPMBCS) will serve as the roadmap in the management and protection of the Manila Bay as promulgated in the Philippine Supreme Court ruling "to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay." The milestone decision, released in December 2008, tasked 12 government agencies and local governments of Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bataan, Bulacan and Pampanga with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as lead agency.

Lisbon, Portugal — Dr.

Quezon City, Philippines — The issue of climate change is real and will impact all sectors of society. It is an urgent issue that many people care about, but the youth, as the next generation have the most at stake.The 2nd East Asian Seas (EAS) Youth Forum, one of the major side events of the EAS Congress 2009, is the second convening of young participants from countries in the EAS Region, the first of which was during the 2006 EAS Congress. The Forum is a venue for young people in the region to learn more about pressing concerns in the marine and coastal areas, including climate change.

Manila, Philippines — Various government agencies have signed a declaration of commitment in support of achieving a shared vision for the Manila Bay. The signing highlighted the first Manila Bay Coordinating Committee (MBCC) Meeting held on 28 January in Pasay City. The MBCC meeting was chaired by the Honorable Jose L.

Quezon City, Philippines — PEMSEA announces the release of the latest issue of the Tropical Coasts which focuses on the Sulu and Sulawesi Seas, a large marine ecosystem (LME) within the Seas of East Asia. Titled Conserving the Sulu and Sulawesi Seas, the issue is a joint effort of PEMSEA and Conservation International-Philippines, a non-Country Partner of PEMSEA.

Manila, Philippines — In celebration of the Philippine Water Week and the international observance of World Water Day last March 22, the importance of water and ways to conserve was staged in an exhibit at the Trinoma Mall from 23-27 March.Dubbed, Makibahagi: Pagyamanin ang Tubig Natin, the exhibit is located at the 4th Floor, Cinema Lobby of Trinoma was made possible through the collaboration of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with the Ayala Foundation, Ayala Malls and Trinoma Mall.DENR Secretary Lito At

Makati City, Philippines — Remaining true to its objectives, the Provincial Government of Bataan together with the civil society and a consortium of Bataan-based companies (i.e., the Bataan Coastal Care Foundation (BCCF)) continue to set good examples with their continuing partnership to implement the Bataan ICM program.At the 5th Fellowship Meeting held on 26 February 2009, with Governor Enrique Garcia, Jr. leading Bataan's local government leaders, 17 members of the BCCF were represented, along with representatives of civil society groups and the provincial environmental office.

Quezon City, Philippines — The Government of the Philippines will host the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009, to be held on 23-27 November at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.

Manila, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo discussed preparations for the hosting by the Philippines of the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 with Environment Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr., the Conference host, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) Executive Director Raphael P.M. Lotilla, UNDP Philippines Country Director Renaud Meyer, East Asian Seas Partnership Council Chair Dr.

Manila, Philippines — A workshop on project development for officials and experts from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was organized on 18-21 March in Manila and Batangas, Philippines. The workshop was designed to provide basic understanding of the PEMSEA approach on integrated coastal management (ICM) and the common framework for Sustainable Development of Coastal Areas (SDCA) through ICM.DPR Korea has been a strong advocate of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) as declared during the 1st East Asian Seas Partnership Council Meeting in 2007.