A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen the protection and management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Sipaway Island, San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, was signed Oct. 27, at the SCC Multi-Purpose Hall, Park Marina.
The agreement outlines joint efforts to protect and manage the St. John Reef in Barangay San Juan, and Camotes Reef in Barangay Ermita, both MPAs within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), through coordinated patrols and monitoring, law enforcement support, technical assistance and capacity-building, information and education campaigns, pollution response, information-sharing, coastal cleanups, and mangrove rehabilitation.
The MOU was signed by San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo, Philippine National Police Maritime Group deputy director for Administration, P/Col. Rhoderick Campo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Negros Island Region regional executive director Charlie Fabre, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources representative Rickie Marx Ronamo, Ermita punong barangay Valentina Fuerzas, and San Juan punong barangay Simplicio Caballero.
Gustilo said in a city press release Oct. 28 that the partnership is vital to preserving Sipaway Island’s marine resources while developing the city’s dive sites into destinations for scuba divers and environmental advocates, helping protect the island’s underwater ecosystems while opening more opportunities for sustainable tourism and local economic growth.
“Through the signing of the MOU for the Adopt a Marine Protected Area Project, we continue to strengthen our partnership with the PNP Maritime Group, DENR-NIR, BFAR-NIR, and barangays San Juan and Ermita,” he said in a post. “Thank you to all our partner agencies and barangay officials for working together to protect our seas and sustain marine life for future generations. Let’s keep our waters clean, healthy, and thriving.”
Fabre reaffirmed DENR-NIR’s commitment to working with the city government and partner-agencies through science-based monitoring, stronger law enforcement, information and education campaigns, and community participation, noting that the partnership could serve as a model for collaborative marine resource protection across the Negros Island Region.
Meanwhile, Mary Ann Ibuna Pastrana, treasurer of the Maritime Group Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development, said the PNP Maritime Group’s Adopt-a-Marine Protected Area initiative seeks to develop more programs for the protection and conservation of marine resources.
Pastrana noted that well-managed marine ecosystems can sustain marine wildlife, including thresher sharks, and shared observations of increased dolphin sightings near Sipaway Island, which can enhance the island’s appeal as a diving and ecotourism destination and reinforce the importance of continued efforts to protect its marine biodiversity.
Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc. president and Pacific Environment consultant Dr. Michael Atrigenio and Rare Philippines were instrumental in the realization of the MOU.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Councilor Mark Antonio, City Environment Management Office I Engr. Loreto Sanchez, San Carlos City Police chief P/Lt. Col. Nazer Canja, Coastal Resource Management Division head Winston Alvarez, CRM Division Community Development assistant Melvin Maglayon, Rare Philippines John Manuel Catuday, and representatives and staff from BFAR, CEMO, PNP Maritime Group, and the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape. ||
