MCP is registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange commission as a non-profit, non-stock corporation (under reg. no. CN201506332.) There are no shareholders to generate revenue for, and all funds garnered through volunteer fees, CSR, grants and private donations are used to facilitate the continued and expanded operation of the organisation in a range of different areas.

MCP is audited by an external certified public accountant. You may wish to examine the archived annual achievements of the organization.

How We Use Our Funds

In 2025, Marine Conservation Philippines invested approiximately  ₱60 million directly into marine conservation, research, and community programs. As a field-based organisation operating in a remote coastal environment, our expenditures reflect the real-world costs of delivering hands-on conservation work — from dive operations and scientific monitoring to training, infrastructure development, and community engagement.

Rather than presenting accounting categories in isolation, we group our expenditures into five key areas that better reflect how resources are used to create impact. This approach provides a clearer and more transparent picture of how funds translate into conservation outcomes.

The result is a funding model where the vast majority of resources go directly into programme delivery, long-term conservation capacity, and community engagement, with only a very small proportion allocated to essential support functions.  The below number are accurate for the fiscal year of 2025. Usually

Field Operations & Conservation Delivery (40.1%)

This category represents the core of our conservation work in the field. It includes the day-to-day operational costs required to carry out marine research, reef monitoring, training dives, and conservation activities. Working in a remote island setting means that logistics, fuel, and equipment play a central role in enabling impact.

A significant portion of these costs is directly tied to getting teams into the water safely and consistently. From maintaining compressors and dive gear to running boats and vehicles, these are the essential building blocks of effective marine conservation.

It also includes the majority of food expenses, which support volunteers, interns, and staff actively engaged in fieldwork. In this context, food is not an overhead, but a fundamental part of sustaining conservation delivery.

• Dive operations and field activities
• Boat fuel and transport logistics
• Vehicle running costs and maintenance
• Compressor and equipment servicing
• SCUBA-related consumables (e.g. gases)
• Sanctuary and site access fees
• Field team and volunteer sustenance

Staff & Program Delivery (26.4%)

Our team is at the heart of everything we do. This category includes the salaries and professional development of marine scientists, dive instructors, community coordinators, and operational staff who design and deliver our programmes.

Unlike traditional administrative structures, the majority of our personnel are directly involved in conservation delivery — conducting underwater surveys, training participants, engaging with local communities, and supporting government partners.

Investing in people ensures continuity, quality, and long-term impact. It allows us to maintain high standards in both scientific research and education, while building local capacity for marine conservation.

• Salaries and wages
• Government contributions (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG)
• Staff training and professional development
• Instruction and programme delivery
• Scientific and technical personnel
• Community engagement staff

Infrastructure & Long-Term Investment (23.6%)

This category reflects our commitment to building long-term conservation capacity in the Philippines. Investments in infrastructure and equipment allow us to operate more effectively, safely, and sustainably over time.

In 2025, this included significant work on base development and renovation, as well as the acquisition of essential equipment such as dive gear, IT systems, and operational assets. These are not short-term costs, but strategic investments that support years of future conservation work.

By reinvesting in our facilities and tools, we reduce future costs, improve efficiency, and ensure that our programs can continue to grow in scale and impact.

• Construction and base development
• SCUBA gear and equipment purchases
• Vehicle acquisition
• IT and computer equipment
• Furniture and operational infrastructure and assets
• Long-term facility improvements

Community & Outreach (4.9%)

Community engagement is a vital part of effective marine conservation. This category includes activities that directly support local communities, raise awareness, and build partnerships that strengthen reef protection efforts.

Our work goes beyond research to include education programs, outreach events, and direct support for coastal communities. These initiatives help ensure that conservation is locally supported and socially sustainable.

A portion of food expenditure is also included here, reflecting its role in community events, youth programs, and local engagement activities.

• Community outreach programs
• Educational activities and workshops
• Donations and local support initiatives
• Beach clean-ups and environmental campaigns
• Youth camps and community events
• Local partnership activities

Essential Support Costs (5.0%)

These are the basic operational costs required to run a safe and effective conservation organization. While often grouped as “overhead,” in our case these costs are kept intentionally low and tightly managed.

Operating in a remote location requires reliable utilities, communications, and basic services to support both staff and participants. These are essential to maintaining safety, coordination, and operational continuity.

We prioritize efficiency in this area to ensure that as much funding as possible is directed towards conservation programs and impact-driven activities.

• Utilities (electricity, internet, communications)
• Insurance
• Security and housekeeping
• Basic operational services
• Core support functions

Yearly expenditures vary significantly from year to year. This is the distribution for 2025 that had unusually high reinvest costs in acquiring operational assets.