The UP Diliman Marine Science Institute (MSI) and its partner institutions introduced the 20 new Lawod fellows during the launch of the Kalalawdan Fellowship Program Batch 2.
Kalalawdanis a Waray word for the ocean or sea, derived from lawod which refers to the deep sea or open ocean.
According to the MSI, the Lawod fellows or Champions of the Philippine Seas, will undergo a seven-month training to equip them “with the knowledge, networks, and practical tools to help bridge the gap between marine scientific research and policy action. Fellows will develop and refine policy reform proposals addressing areas such as science, technology and innovation, maritime education, social justice, blue economy, local and national governance, and security.”
As Lawod fellows, they will learn from leading Filipino experts in science and policy practice, participate in a series of transformative workshops and immersive learning experiences, engage directly in policy reform work, and draft, develop, and lobby their own policy brief or issue.
The chosen 20 fellows represent different sectors: eight from the academe, seven from national government agencies, one each from two local government units, and three from the private sector.
The MSI said the Kalalawdan Fellowship Program was launched in 2024 and is a “leadership and policy fellowship under The Asia Foundation’s Waypoints Project, developed in collaboration with the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. (MERF) and the MSI, with support from the Australian Government. The program is led by Deo Florence L. Onda, PhD of the MSI Microbial Oceanography Laboratory, and forms part of Project NEXUS 2.0, an initiative advancing science-informed maritime governance and regional cooperation in marine scientific research.”
The Batch 2 launch, with the theme Daluyong: Charting Transformative Reform Through Science-Policy Nexus, was held in celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo).
MANA Mo is an annual nationwide observance held every September to highlight the Philippines’ identity as a maritime and archipelagic nation. This year’s theme, Karapatan sa Karagatan, Sama-sama Nating Alagaan, underscores the collective responsibility to understand, sustainably manage, and protect the country’s marine resources and maritime heritage.
“We recognize that everybody has the responsibility to protect these marine resources; to use them sustainably; and to ensure that the benefits are enjoyed equally, not just by old Filipinos but by the present generation and the future generations. That’s a critical consideration in designing a program like this, … particularly the Philippines as an archipelagic and maritime nation with 2.26 million sq. kms. in maritime area, including its Exclusive Economic Zone,” said Sam Chittick, country representative of The Asia Foundation.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Kay, deputy head of mission of the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, said Australia and the Philippines have eight decades of working together “to support peace, stability, and prosperity” in the region as well as boost “maritime awareness, implement maritime governments reform, and protect the marine environment.”
For his part, Sec. Andres C. Centino, presidential assistant for maritime concerns, said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “called for maritime consciousness as a shared national responsibility, and urged Filipinos to translate awareness to concrete measures that will uphold our lawful rights and strengthen the responsible stewardship of our maritime resources.”
“Awareness must lead to understanding, and understanding must lead to action, and action must be informed by science, by law, by evidence, with clear sense of responsibility. Indeed, our waters connect our islands and communities. They sustain livelihoods and food security, support trade and commerce, and contain ecological and cultural wealth,” Centino said.
The Program Batch 2 launch also had an open forum ensued with panelists Joey D. Ocon, PhD of the De La Salle University Gokongwei College of Engineering; Asuncion B. De Guzman, PhD of the Mindanao State University Naawan Foundation for Science and Technology Development; Christopher Madrigal of the National Security Council of the Philippines; and Arturo T. Valdez, former undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and of the Department of Transportation and Communication. Moderator was Rafael Dionisio of Make a Difference Travel, more known as MAD Travel.
Also present at the program launch on Sept. 21 were House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology Chairperson and Aklan First District Rep. Jesus R. Marquez, MERF President Michael P. Atrigenio, and The Asia Foundation Director for Governance and Resilience Kathline Anne Tolosa.
The launch was held at the MSI Marine Biodiversity Resources and Information System Building.