US awards 4 Palawan marine protected areas

MANILA, Philippines — The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has recognized and granted awards to four of Palawan’s best marine protected areas (MPA).

At the second annual Palawan MPA summit held in Puerto Princesa City on Sept. 20, the Siete Pecados Marine Park was named best-managed MPA while the San Jose MPA was named best emerging MPA.

The Balisungan and Bulalaco MPAs were recognized as best community managed and best locally managed MPAs, respectively.

The Calamianes MPA network, an inter-local government unit alliance of Busuanga, Coron, Culion and Linapacan, received a special award.

USAID Philippines deputy mission director Rebekah Eubanks and Palawan Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates presented the Palawan MPAs Empowered through Awards and Recognition to Enrich Marine Life or PEARL awards to the four USAID-supported MPAs located in Coron, Calamian Islands.

The US government through the US embassy said MPAs help protect the Philippines from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that endanger the livelihood and well-being of coastal communities.

“Since 2018, USAID Fish Right has supported local governments and communities in the Calamian archipelago to address biodiversity threats, improve marine ecosystem governance, advance sustainable fisheries management and increase fish biomass,” Eubanks said.