The Philippines is diving headfirst into the blue economy, and the upcoming RIPPLE: Ocean Tech Innovation Conference 2025 is set to be the spark that ignites a wave of maritime innovation. On August 1, Tagum City’s Molave Hotel will host 150 innovators—from tech and engineering organizations to fisherfolk and government agencies—for a day of pitches, discussions, and deep dives into the ocean’s untapped potential.
This isn’t just another conference. It’s a call to action. The Philippines, the world’s second-largest archipelago, is finally waking up to its blue economy potential. With 7,641 islands, the country’s maritime assets are vast, yet underutilized. Rob Gumba, manager of the Blue Economy Underpinning Global Sustainability through Adaptive Innovations (BUGSAI TBI) at Davao del Norte State College, puts it bluntly: “There are already blue tech emerging, and it’s more prevalent in other countries. The Philippines is the second largest archipelago, which should be something that our innovators should look into.”
The stakes are high. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged a $400-million loan to restore marine ecosystems and bolster the blue economy, part of a broader $24-billion Southeast Asia support package through 2028. ADB President Masato Kanda announced this at the BIMP-EAGA Summit in May, signaling international confidence in the Philippines’ maritime future.
The numbers back it up. The blue economy already contributes 4% of the country’s GDP, with fisheries leading the charge at nearly 30% of ocean-based industries. But the real opportunity lies in emerging sectors—marine biotechnology, coastal tourism, and offshore renewable energy. These industries aren’t just economic drivers; they’re job creators and sustainability enablers. Marine renewable energy, for instance, could help the Philippines hit its ambitious renewable energy targets: 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.
The conference will feature keynote talks on everything from maritime trade to climate resilience, a trade fair for marine products, and a techno fair showcasing ocean tech and research. But the real meat of the event? The pitching session. Start-ups and innovators will present blue economy solutions, turning ideas into action.
This is where the rubber meets the water. The Philippines has the natural advantage—now it needs the innovation to match. Gumba is clear-eyed about the goal: “We are expecting developers or tech groups to be able to look into the blue economy for possible inspiration for a start-up or a project.”
The message is clear: the blue economy isn’t just a buzzword. It’s an economic lifeline, a sustainability imperative, and a goldmine for innovators. The question is, will the Philippines seize the moment? The ripple effect of this conference could be the tide that lifts all boats.