PARA EL MAR (FOR THE SEAS) 2023: AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Region VII together with the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape - Protected Area Management Office hosted the biennial event organized by Marine Protected Areas Support Network, the Para El Mar (For the Seas) 2023 at Bai Hotel, Mandaue City Cebu on September 27-28,2023. 

The Para El Mar awards and recognition is an event that acknowledges and honors the best locally managed protected area and networks in the Philippines. The biennial event recognizes the profound significance of the work being done by the local government units and communities in maintaining, protecting, and conserving our marine resources for the present and future generations. For this purpose, the theme for this year’s awards and recognition is "Thriving Together: LGUs and Communities for stronger MPAs and MPANs".

This year's awards and ceremonies has 3 major categories; Outstanding Locally Managed Marine Protected Area, Outstanding Marine Protected Area Networks, and Best Mangrove Award.

The list below are the finalists who will compete for the different categories.

Category: Outstanding Locally Managed MPA

‍To qualify for this category, the MPA should have a minimum of 20 hectares of total managed area (this includes both core and buffer zones) and must have achieved at least Level 2 of the Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool (MEAT).

• Barangay Ermita Marine Protected Area of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental 
• Ranzo Fish Sanctuary of Pinamalayan, Mindoro Oriental
• Malabrigo Fish Sanctuary and Refuge of Lobo, Batangas
• Ayoke Island Special Fisheries and Management Area of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur
• Siete Pecados Marine Park of Coron, Palawan
• Maasin Fish Sanctuary of Maasin City, Southern Leyte
• Tinaogan Seagrass and Mangrove Area of Bindoy, Negros Oriental
• Bato Tagaytay Reef Fish Sanctuary of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
• Bugsayon Marine Sanctuary of Masbate City, Masbate

Category: Outstanding MPA Networks

To qualify for this category, the MPAN should be able to submit their Network Effectiveness Assessment Tool (at least level 2) and to submit means of verification or supporting documents.

• Calamianes Island Group MPA Network (CMN) of Coron, Palawan‍
• Kabankalan-Himamaylan-Ilog Integrated Coastal Management Council (KAHIL-ICMAC) of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental

Category: Best Mangrove Award

To qualify for this category, The minimum requirements for nomination are (1) at least 10 hectares of mangroves managed outside of NIPAS sites, (2) at least 3 years of management, and (3) documentation of protection and management.

• PAWA Mangrove Park of Masbate City, Masbate‍
• Leganes Integrated Katunggan Ecopark of Leganes, Iloilo
• Katunggan It Ibajay Mangrove Eco-tourism Park of Ibajay, Aklan
• Balisungan MPA – Women Managed Area of Coron, Palawan

For their outstanding commitment to the management, protection and conservation of marine protected areas within their respective jurisdictions, all of the finalists for this Para El Mar 2023 awards are already winners. However, among all of these winners, only one will be crowned as champion of each major category. The winners, runner-ups and the special awardees will receive a plaque of recognition and a cash prize.

Below are the list of awardees:

Protection and conservation of our natural systems is important for the current and succeeding generations most especially in the Philippines which is the center of marine biodiversity. The Para El Mar 2023 is an excellent opportunity to recognize and express gratitude to individuals and coastal communities who work to protect the marine protected areas.
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In the words of the National Coordinator of MSN and the father of Para El Mar, Dr. Porfirio M. Aliño “We in MSN hope that our learning through collaboration and partnerships will strengthen and support our conservation to the overall marine conservation agenda in the country and beyond. Thank you for continuing to fight for our seas.”
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