Oriental Mindoro and Palawan — The turn-over of marine protected areas (MPA) guardhouses in various municipalities of Oriental Mindoro and North Palawan are seen to improve and upgrade the level of enforcement of environment protection laws in the coastal and marine areas.
From January to April 2016, Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) turned-over a total of five MPA guardhouse structures in the municipalities of Gloria, San Teodoro, Bulalacao and Pola in Oriental Mindoro, and Linapacan in North Palawan, for use by Bantay Dagat volunteers based in the respective coastal communities.
Improvement of community-based enforcement through deputation of community volunteers is a component of MFI’s marine conservation program with local governments and coastal communities. Deputation is accorded by agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and local government units.
The guardhouses were built by MFI’s SIKAP program skills trainees in carpentry and masonry.
