El Nido, Palawan — The El Nido Department of Environment and Natural Resources Protected Area Office (El Nido DENR-PAO), El Nido local government, barangay Buena Suerte officials, members of cooperative Pagkakaisa Pagtutulungan Kalikasan ay Pakaingatan (PPKP) and Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) inaugurated on September 20, 2017 the ranger station fronting the Maitre marine protected area (MPA) or community-managed marine area.

The ranger station, located in the northern part of Cadlao island, was completed through counter-parting effort and resources of the above-mentioned conservation partners. The station will be utilised by duly deputised rangers and bantay dagats of the municipality to guard and enforce national, provincial and local environmental laws in the vicinity of Cadlao island and barangay Buena Suerte.

Enforcement strengthening for MPAs is a major component of MFI’s marine biodiversity conservation program implemented through partnerships with local governments and national agencies such as Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, DENR-PAO and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.

MFI signed a conservation agreement with PPKP, barangay Buena Suerte, El Nido DENR-PAO and El Nido LGU in July 2014 to strengthen management of MPAs located in bgy Buena Suerte, El Nido and implement various conservation actions.