“Ang gusto naming mangyari ay magkaroon kami ng well-managed, progressive and productive fish sanctuary and marine reserve na later on pwedeng maging eco-tourism site dito sa San Fernando (What we want is a well-managed, progressive and productive fish sanctuary and marine reserve that later on can become an eco-tourism site in San Fernando).” This is the vision of Florizel M. Lim, Municipal Agriculture Officer (MAO) of San Fernando, Masbate for the San Fernando Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve (FSMR).

The municipality’s shallow reef areas are dominated by live soft corals while the hard coral reefs serve as important fishing grounds in both Ticao and Masbate Pass. Prior to the establishment of the existing marine protected area (MPA), majority of the sites including the live hard corals in the municipal waters were rated poor in condition based on the reconnaissance survey and assessment conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region V on March 15-19, 2011. According to Lim, this is caused by rampant illegal fishing in the area.

To address this concern, the local government unit of San Fernando implemented the Municipal Ordinance No. 6 (S2011) entitled “An Ordinance Declaring and Establishing the Municipal Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve in the Municipal Waters of San Fernando, Masbate.” This was enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan on December 12, 2011.

Currently, the LGU through the MAO, in coordination with the fishery technician and the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) Chairman, oversees the maintenance and protection of the MPA. Sixteen deputized fish wardens or “Bantay Dagat” patrol the site for 24 hours to curtail illegal fishing within the MPA.

For MFARMC Chairman Sherleo C. Song, serving as a deputized fish warden in the MPA is a long-term investment that will impact the life of the fisherfolk in the municipality.

“Ang ginagawa po namin, inaalagaan po namin yung nasasakupan ng MPA para sa gayon pagdating ng panahon madagdagan yung isda kasi marami nang nabawas sa karagatan dito sa Resurreccion. Kinakailangan namin itong pangalagaan para bumalik sa dati yung mga corals. Kapag dumami yung corals, dadami ang isda (We are engaged in taking care of the areas covered by the MPA to increase fish biomass. In doing this, we allow coral restoration. More coral reefs means abundance of fish),” he said.

Being the only Global Environment Facility (GEF) site in Masbate, the LGU proposed for the P3,139,636.40-worth San Fernando FSMR Rehabilitation and Improvement and P1,509,750-worth Seaweeds Production Project to the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project. This aims to establish an alternative source of income for fisherfolk within the MPA and protect the municipality’s coastal and marine resources through biodiversity conservation and efficient fisheries resources management.

Lina Alcaraz-Abayon, president of the Nagkakaisang Mangingisda ng Burubarangay, believes that the San Fernando FSMR Rehabilitation and Improvement will positively change the plight of some 1,252 fisherfolk who rely on fishing as their major source of income.

“Depende sa panahon ang pangingisda, kung maalon o maulan, konti lang ang nakukuha ng mga mangingisda. Pero nung dumating po ang proyektong ito at nagkaroon kami ng seaweeds plantation sa tulong ng LGU at ng mga nangangasiwa, nagkaroon po ng alternatibo na maangat ang kabuhayan at madagdagan ang kita ng mga pamilya ng mangingisda (Fishing success depends on the weather condition. Fish catch dwindles if it is rainy or when the sea is rough. But because of this (seaweed) project, with the help of the LGU and the (PRDP) management, we now have an alternative source of livelihood and an opportunity to raise the income of fisherfolk’s families)” she said.

“Dakulaon ining tabang samo especially ang grant na financial assistance ta mas mapapakarhay ang sanctuary and ma-raise awareness na ma-preserve ang kadagatan. Hindi lang ang generation na ini ang pigrurumdom kundi ang masunod na henerasyon (This is a big help to us, especially the financial assistance from the (GEF) grant because it will improve our sanctuary and raise awareness to preserve the seas. Being mindful not only of this generation but more so, the next),” Lim remarked. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)