Marine Rehabilitation Site. Fishery technician Concesa Abuda (right) of Guiuan, Eastern Samar points at the map showing the Manapag Reef Fish Sanctuary, one of the marine protected areas being proposed for rehabilitation through the Global Environment Facility grant under the World Bank-assisted Philippine Rural Development Project. Looking over is U-Nichols Manalo, executive director of the Department of Agriculture in Eastern Visayas. (Photo by Rodel G. Macapañas, RPCO-8 InfoACE Unit) PRDP reg’l board OKs rehab of Guiuan Coast marine protected areas
Typhoon-damaged fish sanctuaries in Eastern Samar may soon be fully restored as the regional advisory board of the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) in Eastern Visayas approved the proposals to rehabilitate some identified marine protected areas (MPAs) on the province’s Guiuan Coast.
“We need to fully maximize this opportunity to promote sustainable MPAs, which will benefit primarily our fishing communities along that coast,” U-Nichols Manalo, director of the Department of Agriculture’s regional office in Eastern Visayas said.
The approval was however subject to subsequent compliance by the proponents of certain requirements, particularly on ensuring availability of their financial equity.
Manalo added that Region 8 is one of the few regions prioritized to be supported under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant, which is integrated in the PRDP.
The GEF grant amounting to US$7 million, or about P300 million is intended for the protection of coastal and marine resource base in pre-identified priority areas around the country through biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries resource management.
The target MPAs are located along the Guiuan Coast, covering the municipalities of Guiuan, Mercedes Salcedo, Quinapondan and Lawaan.
Ulysses Triambulo, natural resource management specialist from the PRDP’s national office pointed out that the goals of subprojects under the GEF grant will be realized through enhancement of institutional and planning capacities of local government units and communities, provision of support to MPAs, and sharing of knowledge and practices.
Meanwhile, Concesa Abuda, a fishery technician from Guiuan said that they aim to intensify their marine resources conservation efforts as destructive fishing practices had brought severe damage to their corals, resulting in dwindling fish catch.
“The support that we will be getting from the PRDP-GEF will surely go a long way in terms of preserving our marine resources, and in uplifting the living conditions of our fisherfolk. Also, it will help boost our locality’s tourism potential,” Abuda added. ### (Rodel G. Macapañas, RPCO-8 InfoACE Unit)
