RPAB Approves Restoration Efforts for 8 Marine Protected Areas along the Danajon Bank

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Created on Wednesday, 19 April 2017

Cultivating sensitivity through laying out sustainable measures for the conservation of the Danajon double barrier reef, the Regional Project Advisory Board (RPAB) approved eight (8) marine protected areas (MPAs) subproject proposals

for funding under the Philippine Rural Development Project - Global Environment Facility (PRDP - GEF) last April 10, 2017.

The RPAB approved proposals were the Asinan Marine Protected Area in Buenavista, Aguining Marine Protected Area, in Carlos P. Garcia, Cataban, Marine Protected Area, Guindacpan Marine Protected Area in Talibon, Bilang-Bilangan East Marine Protected Area, Hingotanan West Marine Protected Area in Bien Unido and Sinandigan Marine Protected Area of Ubay, Bohol which are managed by various people’s organization (PO).

The PRDP-GEF project warrants these identified mpas the World Bank $7 million-dollar grant for marine biodiversity conservation and fisheries resource management implementation.

Based on the Law Enforcement Summit and latest assessment of fish catch conducted by Ecofish Project, the Danajon Bank is no longer as productive as it was, as it is exposed to extreme fishing pressure prompting restoration plans for the world renowned barrier reef to reclaim its grandeur. Remi Regacho, Bohol GEF Focal Person said.

She added that more than just the protection and conservation, the Danajon Bank restoration will encourage sustainable enterprise for the seaweed industry in Bohol which has long been identified as a legacy and trademark of the Boholanos.

Atty. Salvador Diputado, Department of Agriculture VII Regional Executive Director and RPAB Chair shared that all these marine protected areas are vulnerable.

“We are supposed to protect these areas and we should not only be involved in the consideration of these proposals but also actively participate in the implementation and mpas monitoring.” he added.

The call, positively supported by the board, will ensure that these eight (8) project proponents will both address the issues on protecting these areas and issues at hand. Diputado cited.

rpab w atty salva1

In the course of the deliberation, emphasis on strengthening and ensuring sustainable on-the-ground improvements for identified mpas through mounting additional floating guardhouses, enhanced coastal patrols, much needed equipment, required budgetary costs, workshops/trainings pertaining to conservation efforts of the Danajon bank were presented to the Board.

Alex Taran, Coastal Resource Management Officer of Talibon is enthusiastic that in six years’ time fish density and fish biomass will increase once on-the ground improvement plans commence.

RPAB on another note also proposed an amendment of a 10% increase in income from the average of 5% increase by the end of the project term in the approved proposals which are due for endorsement to the Project Support Office- Visayas (PSO) for fund release.

Based on the GEF-World Bank review mission last January of this year, most of the problems encountered by the managing organizations in their respective Marine Protected Areas were the lack of necessary equipment for apprehending violators in the presence of troll fishing, danish siene (liba-liba), dynamite and cyanide fishing. Bexmae P. Jumao-as,  Writer - InfoACE RPCO 7

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