Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR) of Nueva Valencia, Guimaras bested 36 other entries to win ‘Para el MAR’ 2017 for being the most outstanding National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Philippines.
‘Para el MAR’ which means ‘for the sea’ is a National Award that highlights best practices in MPA management in the Philippines and recognizes outstanding local efforts in conserving and sustainably managing our coastal and marine resources.
Nueva Valencia Mayor Emmanuel C. Galila presented how the management practices and noteworthy interventions and initiatives contributed to the improved ecological and biophysical status of the protected area and created social and economic benefits to the community.
Some of the TINMR Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) members –Prof. Marie Frances J. Nievales of the University of the Philippines Visayas, with her alternate, Dr. Machel D. Malay, UPV Marine Biological Station Head, Mr. Ernie C. Cabrillos of San Roque Coastal Environment Program Association (SARCEPA) President and Mr. Nelson Celiz of La Paz Fisherfolks, Aquatic Resources and Mangrove Management Association (LAFARMA) Chairperson, DENR 6-PENR Officer Vicente A. Sardina of Guimaras, LGU Nueva Valencia Vice Mayor Ma Luz L. Gambalan, Sangguniang Bayan members Hon. Cecilia E. Ortiz and Atty. Paul Vincent de la Cruz, were also in full support during the event.
Other winners: 2nd Place Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary of Lapu-Lapu, Cebu and 3rd place Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape of Sta. Ana, Cagayan.
The said event led by MPA Support Network (MSN) Philippines and organized by University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman Marine Science Institute and Academe all through-out the Philippines to support and recognize initiatives, best practices, and outstanding local efforts in conserving and sustainably managing the country’s coastal and marine resources.
The recognition supports the promotion for the protection and conservation of blue environment in the Province of Guimaras./PIO-Guimaras
