OVP grants solar lamps to marine protected area wardens

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President, through its anti-poverty program Angat Buhay, granted 63 sets of solar lamps to NAMANAKA, a network of community managers of marine protected areas in Surigao del Sur.

NAMANAKA is a federation of marine protected area (MPA) managers who voluntarily oversee and protect the MPAs in local government units of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes and Tandag.

“They are ordinary fishers and farmers who take the lead in conserving the fish breeding grounds in their communities to ensure there is enough fish for future generations,” said environmental organization Haribon Foundation. 

The group is composed of men and women leaders from over 22 people’s organizations.

Haribon Foundation shared that the night lamps and solar panels brought NAMANAKA members renewed determination to continue the cause for protection of their marine resources.

During NAMANAKA’s past meetings, members of the group often lamented the difficulty of not having electricity in guardhouses located mostly near marine protected areas. Members shared that they had to bring their own flashlights to patrol the area. They expressed their need for a solar panel that they may use to recharge their mobile phones to report intruding.