By Terteen Omana | Development Specialist for Environment
Presence of marine protected area (MPA) is a test to all community members regardless of their affinity, connection, and position. In one of our informal conversations with Mr. Ariel Casihan, President of the Lian Kingfisher Association, he shared to us that one of his relative was caught fishing within the MPA. Even if it was hard on his part, he dealt with the situation as responsible manager of the KayReyna MPA. This is just one challenging circumstance being experienced by community members and even Barangay officials as they pursue genuine protection of the remaining marine life in Talim Bay. In the case of Barangay Binubusan, Kagawad (councilor) Efren Padua had expressed how the Barangay council is dealing with everyday challenges in managing MPAs versus resources users. Striking a balance between strict policy implementation and fair access to marine resources is not merely a responsibility as public official but it is more of an obligation to the next generation.
Such conservation efforts gained recognition at the 2nd Batangas Recognition Awards for Verde Passage’s Outstanding (BRAVO 2015) Marine Protected Area and Best Bantay Dagat. Barangay Binubusan was awarded 2nd place while KayReyna MPA as 3rd place under Category 1 of Best MPA Initiatives. This recognition is a joint undertaking of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Conservation International, First Gen Corporation, and USAID.
Partners of the Lian MPA are continuously pouring in as support to marine life and community implementers. The Br. SHORE (Br. Shields Ocean Research Centre) of De La Salle University conducted scuba diving training to selected Bantay Dagat members and officers of Lian Municipal Environment and Natural Resource unit as continuing capacity for coral reef check monitoring in all MPAs along Talim Bay. On the other hand, the College of Law of De La Salle University is exploring possible collaboration with COSCA to assist community members in terms of legal aspect of the MPA.
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
