MMC Director Dr A. Cinco with MANGREBAY staff, awardees, and participants from the POS, LGUs, and sponsors during the Awarding Ceremony at the AVR 1, XU main campus

Xavier Ateneo- McKeough Marine Center conducted a virtual public ceremony and awarding program last April 8, 2022, with the theme “MANGREBAY: Mangrove Heroes Awarding Ceremony” to summarize the whole project and to acknowledge the efforts and support of all the partners involved in the MANGREBAY project. The awarding ceremony was held on-site at AVR 1, Xavier University, Main Campus via Zoom platform and Facebook live.

Awardees composed of representatives from the People Organizations, Local Government Units and partner sponsors were invited on-site to accept the following awards: For POs category, Mangrove Hero Award is awarded to Mr Felix B. Pingkian; Outstanding Fisherfolks Association award, the 1^st Place is given to Barangay Buko Fisherfolks Association- Municipality of Kinoguitan; 2^nd Place Barangay Binitinan Fisherfolks Association- Municipality of Balingasag; 3^rd Place: Sari-Sari Fishermen Association- City of Cagayan de Oro and Salay Mangrove Association- Municipality of Salay. For the LGUs category, Outstanding Local Government Unit Award, 1^st Place was awarded City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) – City of Cagayan de Oro; 2^nd Place: Municipality of Binuangan, 3^rd Place: Municipality of Balingasag and Municipality of Kinoguitan. The other (10) remaining coastal communities along the were given certificates of appreciation. These awards are given as recognition of their unfathomable support and assistance in our common goal of rehabilitating our coasts with diverse mangroves and having sincerity in their commitment to building resilient communities through mangrove rehabilitation. For the sponsor’s category, Pagatpat Awards is awarded to Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.; Bakhaw Awards- Engineers Without Borders, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers- Xavier University Student Chapter, and Oceanus Conservation. Other sponsors such as Minergy Power Corporation, St. Peter’s College of Balingasag, FDC Misamis Corporation, IC Soriano Foundation, Xavier University- Biophilic Society, and Creative Learning Path Schools were also given Plaque of Recognition for their continued support and sponsorship and generosity that contributed a lot to the protection, management, and conservation of mangroves in Macajalar Bay.

Aside from the awarding, highlight summary videos of the project activities were also presented during the event. Overall, the project planted approximately a total of 39,432 mangrove seedlings of various species covering around 13 hectares along Macajalar Bay, conducted trainings workshops in 14 coastal communities along the bay to strengthen their capacity in mangrove rehabilitation and management; and established partnership with various organizations including LGUs, private companies and civil society organizations to be able to sustain the advocacy of the project. As the project is already nearing its completion, its success is attributed to the efforts and support of everyone. Kudos team!

On site set-up of the “MANGREBAY: Mangrove Heroes Awarding Ceremony” at AVR 1, Xavier University

Fr Mars P. Tan, Xavier Ateneo President, as he delivered his welcome speech and acknowledged the initiatives of MMC, MANGREBAY Team, Forest Foundation Philippines, and partners in the Project

Mangrove Hero Award, awarded to Mr Felix B. Pingkian, as the most outstanding fisherfolk and for his excellent service in the protection, management and conservation of mangroves.