Talim Bay Coastal Resources Management Project

      Kayreyna Marine Protected Area   (MPA) and Bantay Dagat  is a recepient  of the  2018 BRAVO Award (3rd Place) for Verde Passage's Outstanding Marine Protected Area and Bantay Dagat.  Kayreyna MPA won the third among the   various  MPAs in the Province of  Batangas.  This  award reflects the enthusiasm our  local  fishers have  in  keeping  up  with   the  standards  set  for  a  well managed  marine protected  area.

      Every three years, managers of  MPAs in the province of Batangas gather to participate in the  event.  The  MPAs that  local  fishers manage  are  evaluated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the basis  of their implementation and management of  their respective  MPA. The Municipal  Environment  and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO)  of  Lian, Bataangas shared that he is  grateful for  the unvavering  help and  support of DLSU Center for Social Concern and Action and  DLSU - Br. Alfred Shields Ocean Research Center in Lian, Batangas  in the  implementation of  the  protection and  conservation program in Talim bay.  According  to the MENRO of LGU Lian, Batangas, as partners in  the establishment  of  both the  Kayreyna  and the Binubusan Marine Protected Areas, the   2018 Bravo Award  is  a result  of  the  collaborative   efforts  of   the  community,  the Local Government Unit of Lian, Batangas  and  DLSU  in  developing  and  of their  commitment  to implement  a community- based coastal resource management (CBCRM)  and  environmental program.

      To maximize these gains in the implementation of the CBCRM in Talim bay COSCA expands program coverage to include as a strategy, partnership with the Samahan ng Mandaragat sa Sulok (SAMLOK), another organization of local fishers in Talim bay.

      Community workshops were conducted to help strengthen the Lian Fisherfolk Association, Inc. (LFAI). COSCA's existing partner people's organization.   A visioning activity and election of officers of LFAI were held on October 7, 2018. On the same day, a separate learning session on CBCRM was facilitated by COSCA for  SAMLOK.  The learning session which was conducted during SAMLOK's general assembly aimed to identify potential projects of the organization aside from determining the level of understanding and knowledge of SAMLOK's members on CBCRM.

      These knowledge, sharing and organizational development activities during community workshops is part of COSCA's strategy to help strengthen its partner organization of  local fishers in Lian, Batangas and in the end help empower these local fishers  and enable them  to live harmoniously with their environment.