BRP Waray to Dock on Currimao Coast for Marine Ecosystem Regeneration

The Philippine Navy will be sending one of its biggest landing crafts to the northern part of the Philippines and its mission is to help in a submersion operation that will save marine life.

According to the Office of the Second Congressional District, BRP Waray will be docking on the Currimao coast as early as 30 April 2023.

Angelo Marcos Barba's office noted that this is to "ensure that all sculptures for Ilocos Norte's underwater museum are already aboard the vessel before the submersion date of May 1".

The Philippine Ports Authority in northern Luzon is now preparing for the landing craft's arrival.

Marine Ecosystem Regeneration in Currimao, Ilocos Norte

An initiative led by Dr. Joven Cuanang in cooperation with the Office of Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba, and the Municipality of Currimao, Pinto Underwater Sculpture Museum will be the first of its kind in the northern province. It will also likely be among the biggest both in the Philippines and in the region.

While the sheer size of the project is quite challenging, the focal point, according to marine biologist Charles Dawson, should be on Currimao's coast and why fish stocks kept dropping since 2010 or even earlier.

Authorities in the Philippines blame the drop on overfishing. Marine scientists from around the world have been sounding the alarm on overfishing for decades but for many of the country's coastal towns, the catastrophe that it can cause is further compounded by another problem - dynamite explosives.

For a time, dynamite fishing was rampant in Ilocos Norte despite measures that the Philippine Coast Guard put in place. Now, the Coast Guard stationed in Currimao is trying to reverse the damage. The Office of Mr. Barba mentioned on 17 April that the Philippine Coast Guard has thrown its full support to the marine ecosystem regeneration project in Currimao.

Over 20 Sculptures from Various Filipino Artists

In a post on his Facebook page earlier this April, Mr. Barba expressed that he is "very happy that the community can now see the beautiful sculptures made by various artists" before said sculptures are submerged in Currimao's waters. Most of the sculptures reportedly travelled from the capital Manila while others had to sail from the southern part of the country to reach Ilocos Norte.

In another Facebook post, Mr. Barba wrote that the sculptors "have done a wonderful job". He also thanked them for dedicating their time and talent to the marine ecosystem regeneration project. Mr. Barba's office confirmed on 28 April that BRP Waray will transport a total of 20 sculptures weighing approximately 7 tonnes combined.

The sculptures, based on the latest project brief from the Second Congressional District, will be carried by a boom truck. The vehicle will also board the naval vessel.

"That would be a total of 10 tonnes but that is easy for BRP Waray as it can carry 180 tonnes," said Ralph Atienza-Mckenzie, one of the Second Congressional District's consultants.

No Ordinary Landing Craft, No Ordinary Crew

The heavy landing craft used to serve the Royal Australian Navy before it was decommissioned in 2012. It was later sold to the Philippine Navy.

In a news article published by Janes in 2012, representatives from the Australian government said that the vessel will be helpful in improving the Philippines' "humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities".

The ship has been refurbished since and it even stayed in Cebu for a few months for refitting procedures.

By November 2018, two years after it was turned over to the Navy, BRP Waray set sail for Misamis Occidental to help in a community outreach program. The program's aim, according to the Navy, was to counter violent extremism. The crew of BRP Waray later received the Military Merit Medal for participating in the outreach.

By December of the same year, the ship, alongside BRP Agta, BRP Juan Magluyan, the Philippine Marines, and the Naval Special Operations Group, went to Patikul, Sulu to fight the Abu Sayyaf.

The operation resulted in the neutralisation of seven members of the terrorist organisation and the apprehension of 10 individuals. The group also recovered war materials and firearms. Because of the Sulu operation, BRP Waray's crew was conferred the Bronze Cross.

In June a year later, BRP Waray, Unit 62 of the Naval Intelligence Service, and Unit 6 of Naval Special Operations intercepted a passenger ship suspected of human trafficking operations. Over a hundred victims were rescued, according to the Philippine Navy.

In 2022, BRP Waray set sail for Palawan for a humanitarian assistance mission after typhoon Odette battered the province.

BRP Waray to Save Marine Life in Currimao

"On May 1, 2023, BRP Waray will save more lives," said marine biologist Charles Dawson.

"We must help the world's oceans if we want to survive and what the Philippine Navy, specifically BRP Waray and its crew, Pinto Art Museum, and Congressman Barba will be doing will surely make a huge impact in decades to come."