The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), the World Bank, and the Provincial and Municipal LGU of Sorsogon were warmly welcomed by the project beneficiaries during the 15th World Bank Implementation Support Mission to Matnog Municipal Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve in Brgy. Calintaan, Matnog, Sorsogon last April 19–20, 2023.

“Masayang-masaya kami dahil binisita kami muli ng World Bank, PRDP team at LGU, dahil gusto naming ipakita na hindi sayang ang suportang ibinigay nila, dahil mas pinagbuti at pinaunlad pa namin ito (We are delighted because the World Bank, the PRDP team, and the LGU revisited us. After all,  we want to show that their support lead to something meaningful. In fact, we have improved and developed it even more),” Editha Frencillo, President of the Samahan ng Kababaihang Bantay Sanktuaryo ng Calintaan, Matnog (SKBCM) said.

The municipal fish sanctuary and marine reserve is a 138-hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA). The  Municipal Ordinance No. 10-2005 supports the sanctuary to help preserve and maintain marine biodiversity. The Calintaan-Calayuan-Paghuliran-Poropandan (CCPP) Fish Farmers Association, a cluster proponent group, serves as sanctuary guards. Also, the members of the Samahan ng Kababaihang Bantay Sanktwaryo ng Calintaan, Matnog (SKBCM) assists them in monitoring the sanctuary.

To sustain the marine biodiversity conservation of Matnog, the PRDP-GEF provided technical assistance and capacity building to support the establishment and management of MPAs. It included support for developing  MPA management plans, and implementing  monitoring and evaluation programs for MPA management. 

 The Vice-president of SKBCM, Evangeline Sabawil, shared that the MPA has been very beneficial because the reefs are now in better condition and the fish are more abundant.

“Noong wala pang MPA, talamak dito ang pagbobomba ng mga isda at ang paggamit ng compressor para kumuha ng abalone, pero ngayon na mayroon na kaming MPA gumanda na ang pagtubo ng mga bahura at dumami na rin po ang mga isda. Kaya malaki po talaga ang pasasalamat namin sa PRDP-GEF pati na rin sa aming LGU dahil natulungan nila kaming mawala ang mga gumagawa ng illegal na pangingisda dito sa amin. (When there was no MPA yet, dynamite fishing and the use of compressors to collect abalone were rampant here. Now that we have an MPA, the growth of reefs has improved, and the number of fish has also increased. We are very grateful to the PRDP-GEF and to our LGU because they helped us eliminate illegal fishing here).” Sabawil said.

On the other hand, Food and Agriculture Organization Natural Resources Management Officer Jim Hancock commended the  GEF-Matnog on the recent recognition received by the MPA on its excellent  coral cover condition.

“This is what GEF is all about. You should be proud because you are the ones who cared  and defended it. I am pleased how the community, the Bantay Dagat, and the women’s group have grown and worked as a team for this project,” Hancock said. 

Recently, PRDP-GEF MPA Summit honored the LGU-Matnog for having Excellent Coral Cover Condition. The marine protected area assessment found that the coral cover increased from 40.15% in 2016 to 54.83% in 2022. In addition, the biomass increased to 11.21 kg/500m2 from 2.95 kg/500m2, and the fish biomass increased to 399.67 ind/500m2 from 119.5 ind/500m2.

Furthermore, the proponent group successfully managed their seaweed production and green grouper culture, which now provides them with an alternative source of income. The PRDP-GEF has played a vital role in supporting the establishment and management of MPAs and will continue to be a strong advocate for protecting marine biodiversity and supporting sustainable development. (Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE)

The World Bank and the PRDP team made a courtesy call to Mayor Cattleya So together with some members of LGU Matnog before going to the PRDP-GEF project site in Brgy. Calintaan,Matnog, Sorsogon. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE)

The Samahan ng Kababaihang Bantay Sanktwaryo ng Calintaan, Matnog (SKBCM) welcomed the visitors from the World Bank and the PRDP team with joy and enthusiasm. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE)

The opening of the Bantay Dagat and PGS Action Center was enthusiastically led by Food and Agriculture Organization Natural Resource Management Specialist Jim Hancock and WB Environmental Specialist Maya Villaluz, RPCO 5 Deputy Project Director Adelina Losa and members of LGU Matnog headed by their Municipal Agriculturist Engr. Emmanuel de Guzman. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V InfoACE)

A member of the SKBCM introduced their value-added products that come from their seaweed crops. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V)

Mr. Jim Hancock extended his congratulations to the members of the proponent group for achieving the Excellent Coral Cover award during the GEF-MPA Summit. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V)

Mr. Noel Umbao of BFAR 5 shared the importance of maintaining the Marine Protected Area since the project is finished.
(Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V)

Members of the Calintaan-Calayuan-Paghuliran-Poropandan (CCPP) Fish Farmers Association shared their experiences and plans to improve their MPA surveillance. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, PRDP RPCO V)