| Name of the Research Center: | Verde Island Passage Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Sciences (VIP CORALS) – Batangas State University – The National Engineering University |
| Date of Establishment: | February 2018 (approved by the University’s Board of Regents Resolution No. 004, Series of 2018) |
| Location of the Research Center: | Current Office: VIP CORALS BL1, BL2 2nd Flr. & Room 402 4th Flr., CIRTC Bldg., Batangas State University – Pablo Borbon Campus, Rizal Ave, Extension, Batangas, 4200 Batangas
Lobo Marine Station: Batangas State University – Lobo Campus, Brgy. Masaguitsit, Lobo, Batangas, Philippines (13°38′30′′N, 121°11′33′′E) |
| Vision of the Research Center: | To be the pioneer, leading, pro-active, and world-class research center on the field of oceanographic research and aquatic life sciences in the Verde Island Passage. |
| General Mandate of the Research Center: | The center aims at providing research, teaching, and extension services of the Batangas State University on the marine resources and its marine environment in the Verde Island Passage. |
| Specific Mandate of the Research Center: | 1. Provide leadership in conducting research on different marine ecosystems in the Verde Island Passage for sustainable national development. |
| 2. Spearhead collaboration among various stakeholders, government institutions, non-government organizations in the promotion of research-based activities in protecting and preserving the marine environment. | |
| 3. Establishing satellite marine stations/research centers in different coastal areas in Verde Island Passage in coordination with local government units and other concerned agencies. | |
| 4. Train LGUs in the Verde Island Passage on marine protection, livelihood programs, and policy formulation boosting the local tourism industry. | |
| 5. Provide training to local folks in VIP on marine conservation and protection, livelihood opportunities and awareness on all applicable natural resources conservation laws and statutes. | |
| 6. Provide technical assistance on establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) to preserved and enrich the marine ecosystem in Verde Island Passage. | |
| 7. Establish marine museum, a repository of data and information on marine ecosystem to educate the people, researchers and other stakeholders on the vast marine ecosystem and resources for the benefit of humanity. | |
| 8. Development of advanced technologies that support efficient and effective taxonomy, mapping and exploration of marine species. |