Wednesday, June 4, 2014

In April 2012, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf has adopted in full the Republic of the Philippines' Submission for an Extended Continental Shelf in the Benham Rise Region. (Source: National Mapping and Resource Information Agency)

Credits: www.globalnation.inquirer.net
The Benham Rise is an underwater plateau, located east of Aurora Province. It total area spans 13 million hectares, roughly about the size of the island of Luzon. The shallowest part of the rise, called Benham Bank is about 50 meters deep while the deepest part is believed to be about 3000 meters deep. A team of scientists have already began exploring the site and have been amazed at the underwater beauty. Coral gardens abound in unbelievably crystal clear waters. They have started collecting samples to conduct further studies and exploration

Marine scientist Cesar Villanoy, the leader of the Benham Rise Program said in an interview on Solar News that they were "seeing things that no other human has ever seen before." They were the first to explore the undersea plateau believed to be a rich source of natural gas.

Credits: www.philstar.com

Extensive exploration of the site is expected to be very expensive. Our local resources are not equipped with the appropriate technology to conduct research in the new territory. The Philippine government will have to find means to propel the research program forward.

For now, we can sit back, relax and revel in this blessing that we have a new territory with the potential of uplifiting our economy.

Benham Rise, Philippines. Officially ours. Officially Filipino.




Suggested readings:
The Philippine Star - http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/06/02/1330219/filipinos-chart-new-territory-collect-data-benham-rise
National Mapping and Resource Information Agency (NAMRIA) - http://www.namria.gov.ph/benham.aspx

12 comments:

  1. wow!!! another great natural place to visit for those adventurous people...

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  2. I have heard and read about this information. Something that our country has to be serious with in taking care of and not for the corrupt politicians to exploit and take advantage of it for their own selfish will. Benham Rise, Philippines. Officially Filipino. Wow! Nakakapanindig-balahibo! <3

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  3. That's great to know! I hope that the government could find a way to utilize this to help the Filipinos.

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  4. This is good news for Pinoys. Sana lang maalagaan natin ito.

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  5. Good news! I believe that this is our future's wealth. Let's continue our sovereign fight. Hopefully, ganyan din mangyari sa west Philippine Sea

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  6. Nice, im excited about this. Can't wait to promote this gem of your country.

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  7. that is a beautiful site to explore under the sea :-) perfect for scuba divers to learn more about the corals or anything under the sea. Philippines indeed is a paradise :-)

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  8. yay, finally! after a few years of battle...now, it's officially ours!

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  9. I've heard about this in the news and felt so good. I just hope this new territory will be used to its full potential - that is, for the common good.

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  10. sana nga walang umangkin na iba...hehehe..and yeah, hopefully our government people will take good care of it. wag lang pera pera.

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  11. I've always wanted to scuba, but so far have only snorkeled. Looks like a great place to discover!

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  12. very interesting and beautiful place!

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