To recognize efforts to manage and enforce laws on marine protected areas (MPAs), the Siquijor Province Coastal Resource Management Alliance and the Coastal Conservation & Education Foundation – Project ISDA (Isda Siguruon Damgong makab-ot pinaagi sa Alyansa) awarded 30 MPA Champions from various management bodies, fisherfolk organizations, govenrment agencies, and local government units during the Isla de Fuego MPA Awards held June 17 in the town of Maria in Siquijor.
The recognition activity was in partnership with the Foundation for the Philippine Environment, and the Unico Conservation Foundation.
The major awardees: Best MPA is the Binoongan Marine Sanctuary of Enrique Villanueva; 1st runner up was Olang Marine Sanctuary of Maria; 2nd runner up was Tulapos Marine Sanctuary of Enrique VIllanueva; 3rd runner up was Candaping B Marine Sanctuary; 4th runner up was Bogo Marine Sanctuary.
Recognition for Most Popular MPA for Ecotourism went to the Paliton Marine Sanctuary of San Juan; Most Enterprising and Livelihood-Generating MPA is the Maite Marine Sanctuary; MPA with the Best Community Support is Binoongan Marine Sanctuary; with Highest Fish Stocks is Binoongan Marine Sanctuary; with the Most Diverse & Largest Fishcatch is Tulapos Marine Sanctuary; Best Enforcement Team is Olang Marine Sanctuary.
The major individual awards went to: Best MPA Enforcer is Rogelio BayronJr. of Olang Marine Sanctuary; MPA Champion of the Year is Danilo Casalta of Maria; LGU Champion of the Year is Enrique Villanueva Mayor Gerold Pal-ing. The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard in Siquijor were also recognized for fulfilling their mandates.
CCEF’s Dr. Aileen Maypa, also representing the SU Institute of Environmental & Marine Sciences, was awarded CRM Champion for her invaluable contribution to the improvement and sustainability of MPAs and coastal resource management of Siquijor province.
The province of Siquijor has a total of 22 marine protected areas which are proven effective tools for marine biodiversity conservation, fisheries benefits, and ecotourism.
MPAs (or marine/fish sanctuaries) are no-take zones in the marine environment where all forms of physical disturbance and extraction/harvesting are banned. There are more than a 1,500 MPAs in the Philippines, although not all are functional nor sustainable in terms of management and enforcement.
