The Municipality of San Fernando, Masbate is now the recipient of the Fish Sanctuary Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (Community-Based Coastal Ecosystem Protection and Biodiversity Conservation), after receiving several equipment from the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) for law enforcement in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Under the project intervention, the municipality received the following: boat, floating guardhouse, searchlight, flashlight, binoculars, Radio Communications set  with  radio base and 4 NTC license, antenna (with complete accessories including installation), megaphone, underwater camera, scuba diving gears, scuba tank, meter tape, PE ropes, slate board, Global Positioning System, Database equipment, Geotagging device, projector, rubber boots, raincoat, dry bag, life vest and Sanctuary Guard Uniform.

The turnover of law enforcement equipment on April 16, 2021 aims to assist in the rehabilitation and improvement of the ecosystem and  conserve biodiversity of the municipality. The equipment will help the municipality in project monitoring, enforcement, documentation and assessment.

According to designated San Fernando, Masbate Municipal Fisheries Coordinator Noel Bergantin, the equipment provided by the DA-PRDP helped a lot in MPA Management.

“Malaking ginhawa po ang naibiigay sa aming tulong ng mga equipment at interventions na ibinigay sa amin ng PRDP lalo na po sa aming sanctuary monitoring, seaborne patrolling, search and rescue at capability building training,” Bergantin said

Municipal Agriculturist, Florizel Lim added that patrol boats given to them are also being used in the seaborne patrolling during the lockdown period and during the implementation of no entry policy. The Bantay Dagat or sea patrollers also serve as guard on duty 24/7 at all the coasts of San Fernando.

“Ginagamit namin ang patrol boat  pagtransport ng mga patients at returning Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) . At kung meron mang mga taong gustong umuwi sa isla na walang tamang coordination, madali na lang kaming tumawag ng coastal barangay gamit ang radio communication para sa back-up,” Lim sighted.

Lim also observed that even in the time of the pandemic, the dynamic leadership of the Local Government Unit (LGU), through the Bantay Dagat Task Force, and the active participation of residents in protecting and conserving marine resources, is now being institutionalized and mainstreamed the municipal level through, enactment and enforcement of municipal ordinances. As a result, fish and other marine resources are increasing.

The 125-hectare Municipal Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve, located at Barangay Resureccion, aims to have a sustainable rejuvenation, conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of the condition of fish and fish habitats to increase fish biomass and MPA management effectiveness, as well as to provide an alternative or additional livelihood project to the fisherfolk and their families. (Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE)

The Bantay Dagat team patiently monitors the vast municipal waters of San Fernando using the equipment provided by the DA-PRDP-GEF. (Photo by: Noel Bergantin, designated Municipal Fisheries Coordinator)

The Bantay Dagat Task Force members, together with the Police, do their regular seaborne patrolling around the municipal waters of San Fernando to guard the island against returning residents or newcomers without proper coordination with their respective barangays. (Photo by: Noel Bergantin, designated Municipal Fisheries Coordinator)

Violators are given warning for the first offense of having no permit to operate and they are transients. (Photo by: Noel Bergantin, designated Municipal Fisheries Coordinator)