Tubbataha’s ‘Mama Ranger’ receives IWOC award

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April 2, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — “Mama Ranger” Angelique Songco, the long-time park manager of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) in Palawan, has been named one of the recipients of the US Department of State’s 2025 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award.

Songco and seven other awardees will be honored in a ceremony to be hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump at the State Department in Washington.

“Angelique Songco, better known as ‘Mama Ranger,’ leads a small team of rangers protecting the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park from illegal fishing and poaching,” the State Department said in an announcement.

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.  

“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,” the State Department noted.  

“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,” it added.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Songco is a “trailblazer in the realm of marine conservation and women empowerment.”

As the Protected Area Superintendent of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park since 2001, she has dedicated herself to safeguarding marine biodiversity while uplifting local communities, particularly women, in the process.

Under her guidance, TRNP transformed into a no-fish zone, a testament to her unwavering commitment to environmental protection.

Songco’s leadership has garnered international acclaim, with TRNP receiving prestigious awards such as the ASEAN Heritage Park designation and the Platinum Global Ocean Refuge System Award.

Her accolades include the Kfw Bernhard-Grzimek Prize and being named Hero of the Environment by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Philippines.

Songco spearheaded initiatives like the Cagayancillo Women for Tubbataha, providing economic opportunities for local women through handmade plushies and outreach programs. These efforts not only generate additional income but also foster environmental awareness among children and promote voluntary compliance with park regulations.

Through collaborations with dive operators and educational outreach to schools, Songco ensures sustainable tourism practices while nurturing future stewards of the ocean. 

The other 2025 IWOC awardees are: Henriette Da (Burkina Faso); Amit Soussana (Israel); Major Velena Iga (Papua New Guinea); Georgiana Pascu (Romania); Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit (South Sudan); Namini Wijedasa (Sri Lanka) and Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj (Yemen).

Now in its 19th year, the Secretary of State’s IWOC Award “recognizes women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership – often at great personal risk and sacrifice.”