Wetlands International Philippines warned on Monday, March 30, against renewed oil and gas exploration in Ligawasan Marsh amid the energy crisis stemming from the Middle East. The group stated that unregulated activities could contaminate one of the country's most biodiverse wetlands, worsen flooding, and release stored carbon. They urged the government to prioritize renewable energy over risking fragile ecosystems.
Wetlands International Philippines issued a statement cautioning against renewed oil and gas exploration in the Ligawasan Marsh, the largest swamp and marshland in south-central Mindanao. The non-profit warned that unregulated extraction could contaminate one of the country's most biodiverse wetland systems, increase flooding, and release stored carbon.
"Liguasan Marsh is an irreplaceable ecological system…. it is a lifeline for communities, wildlife, and our climate resilience," said Dr. Annadel Cabanban, the group's country manager. The Bangsamoro environment ministry reported in 2025 that a first-quarter biodiversity assessment recorded more than 3,000 species.
The alert comes amid an energy crisis triggered by the February 28 US-Israel attacks on Iran, which disrupted global oil supplies and prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of national energy emergency. In 2023, SK Liguasan Oil and Gas Corporation commissioned its first drilling rig in the Cotabato Basin under a Department of Energy petroleum service contract covering 72,000 hectares.
Wetlands International called for thorough environmental assessments and consultations with experts before any resource exploration. The group highlighted regional renewable energy models, such as solar expansion in Vietnam and microgrids in Indonesia, for a just transition.
"We cannot afford to damage an ecosystem that safeguards us from floods, supports fisheries, and stores vast amounts of carbon," Cabanban added.