The world must see the Philippines not as a victim, but as a leader in ocean protection, Senator Loren Legarda said Thursday, as she urged urgent local action ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France on June 9-13.

Speaking at the “Daluyong ng Pagbabago: Adaptation and Resilience for Our Oceans” forum in Pandan, Antique, Legarda rallied local governments, fisherfolk, scientists, and youth advocates to help turn international commitments into tangible results, warning that time is running out to reverse marine degradation.

“Our seas are not just a backdrop — they are our lifeline. We must act decisively and lead by example,” she said.

Legarda said that while the Philippines is a signatory to global agreements like the Paris Accord and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), domestic action must match those commitments.

Citing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), the senator warned of declining fish stocks, dying coral reefs, and the country’s continued contribution to marine plastic pollution.

Legarda also highlighted testimony from fisherfolk in her home province, Antique, who shared how fishing nets once filled with abundant catch now haul in mostly trash, a stark symbol of the worsening crisis.

“Global targets mean little without grassroots execution,” she said.

She reaffirmed the role of national legislation in shaping ocean governance, citing the Climate Change Act of 2009 and the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Act as key tools.

Legarda also pushed for the passage of the proposed Blue Economy Act to institutionalize sustainable fishing practices and expand marine protected zones.

She said ocean advocacy must go hand in hand with climate justice, calling on developed countries to fulfill their USD100 billion-a-year commitment in climate finance and invest in countries like the Philippines that are on the frontlines of marine stewardship.

“Our fight is about survival, equity, and responsibility. It’s time to invest in the communities that guard marine biodiversity,” she said.

“To our local leaders: follow Antique’s lead. To our youth: your future is non-negotiable. To all Filipinos: the ocean is our bridge to legacy and survival.” (PNA)