US State Dept honors 'Mama Ranger' of Tubbataha Reef as 'Women of Courage' awardee | ABS-CBN
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US State Dept honors 'Mama Ranger' of Tubbataha Reef as 'Women of Courage' awardee
US State Dept honors 'Mama Ranger' of Tubbataha Reef as 'Women of Courage' awardee
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 02, 2025 12:09 PM PHT
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Updated Apr 02, 2025 12:26 PM PHT
Dubbed as “Mama Ranger,” Angelique Songco leads a small team of rangers protecting the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park from illegal fishing and poaching. Screenshot from the US State Department Youtube page
Dubbed as “Mama Ranger,” Angelique Songco leads a small team of rangers protecting the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park from illegal fishing and poaching. Screenshot from the US State Department Youtube page MANILA — The US State Department recognized the Philippines' Angelique Songco as one of its recipients of the 2025 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award in a ceremony held in the US on Tuesday (Manila time) and led by First Lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
MANILA — The US State Department recognized the Philippines' Angelique Songco as one of its recipients of the 2025 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award in a ceremony held in the US on Tuesday (Manila time) and led by First Lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The IWOC Award, now in its 19th year, recognizes women around the world "who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership – often at great personal risk and sacrifice."
The IWOC Award, now in its 19th year, recognizes women around the world "who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership – often at great personal risk and sacrifice."
"Ms. Songco fuses maritime law enforcement with a passion for rehabilitation. Her leadership, for over two decades, has resulted in a dramatic decrease in trespassers per month in the protected area. As the reef flourishes, Ms. Songco and her rangers have become an example of what is possible when a strategic leader successfully merges conservation and anti-corruption efforts," the US State Department said.
"Ms. Songco fuses maritime law enforcement with a passion for rehabilitation. Her leadership, for over two decades, has resulted in a dramatic decrease in trespassers per month in the protected area. As the reef flourishes, Ms. Songco and her rangers have become an example of what is possible when a strategic leader successfully merges conservation and anti-corruption efforts," the US State Department said.
The reef ecosystem supports over 360 species of coral and almost 700 species of fish and is a significant source of economic benefit to the Philippines through tourism, conservation, and the marine resources it supports.
The reef ecosystem supports over 360 species of coral and almost 700 species of fish and is a significant source of economic benefit to the Philippines through tourism, conservation, and the marine resources it supports.
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In 2023, Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, located in the Sulu Sea near Palawan, ranked 18th in Travel + Leisure's list of "19 Beautiful Destinations With the Best Scuba Diving in the World."
In 2023, Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, located in the Sulu Sea near Palawan, ranked 18th in Travel + Leisure's list of "19 Beautiful Destinations With the Best Scuba Diving in the World."
Aside from Songco, awardees included Georgiana Pascu of Romania, Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit of South Sudan, and Namini Wijedasa of Sri Lanka, among others.
Aside from Songco, awardees included Georgiana Pascu of Romania, Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit of South Sudan, and Namini Wijedasa of Sri Lanka, among others.
US diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries, and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials.
US diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries, and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials.
Since 2007, the Department of State has recognized more than 200 women from over 90 countries with the IWOC Award.
Since 2007, the Department of State has recognized more than 200 women from over 90 countries with the IWOC Award.
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