- Article by: NCuna, MCalderon
- Provincial Agriculturist's Office of Oriental Mindoro
For their exemplary marine conservation and enforcement efforts, two (2) Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Oriental Mindoro earned national recognition at the Para El MAR Awards 2025 on September 18, held at the Zuri Hotel in Iloilo Province.
The Ranzo Fish Sanctuary (RFS) in Pinamalayan was hailed Best Locally Managed Marine Protected Area in the Philippines for the third time, an award conferred by the Marine Protected Area Support Network (MSN) in partnership with the DENR–Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB). The recognition highlights RFS’s effective governance, strong community participation, and sustained implementation of conservation programs.
Led by Roberto Roxas, President of the RFS Management Council and Team Leader of the Bantay Dagat, the sanctuary enforces fishing bans in breeding areas, conducts coral reef rehabilitation and mangrove planting, maintains marker buoys, and undertakes regular coastal clean-ups. RFS also integrates social development through alternative livelihood support for children of fisherfolk, environmental education initiatives, and community projects such as the Ranzo Water Improvement Project.
Meanwhile, the Punta Ilag Fish Sanctuary in San Teodoro received the Best in Enforcement Award for its strong protection measures and effective fisheries law enforcement with 60 percent of its Bantay Dagat members composed of women. The sanctuary is home to diverse marine life, including chevron barracudas, sea turtles, dolphins, rays, and various reef fish species, as well as a turtle nesting beach and underwater hot spring. The sanctuary recorded a 380 percent increase in hard coral cover from 2016 to 2023, alongside improved fish catch for local livelihoods.
The success of both sanctuaries is attributed to the collaborative support of the Malampaya Foundation, Municipal Local Government Units, and the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro through the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office (PAgO). These recognitions underscore the value of partnership-driven, community-led marine conservation efforts.●