by Stephen Pedroza

Did you know that the Philippines is part of a marine region located in the western Pacific Ocean comprising the Coral Triangle, where 76% of the world's coral species live? Our country has the richest concentration of marine life and ecosystems in the entire planet. No wonder we are recognized as the “Center of Marine Biodiversity.”

The challenge is creating a sustainable marine resources management in the midst of environmental degradation brought about by rocketing population over the last decade, left-and-right industrial expansions, mismanagement of coastal resources and other human-induced factors.

In the local scale, Macajalar Bay is considered one of the most important bays in the Philippines. Aside from being the final catchment basin of the water of Cagayan de Oro River, it serves as a pivotal economic hub for regional, national and even international industries. Located directly north of Misamis Oriental, coastal communities herein form part of the 40 million Filipinos who rely on the sea ecosystems for food and livelihood.

With the vision of creating sustainable management practices of coastal resources in Northern Mindanao, the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance (MBDA) was born in 2008. The establishment of MBDA was spearheaded by McKeough Marine Center (MMC) of Xavier University in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH-ACCCoast to implement the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) in Macajalar Bay. ICM is aimed at developing a comprehensive bay-wide management of upland and coastal wealth or the Ridge to Reef Approach, as well as cooperation and networking among the communities, various government units, the academe and the business sector to promote sustainable development and climate resiliency.

The Alliance is composed of the Province of Mis Or and 14 coastal local government units (LGUs) namely,  the municipalities of Alubijid, Balingasag, Binuangan, Jasaan, Kinoguitan, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Opol, Salay, Sugbongcogon, Tagoloan and Villanueva and the cities of El Salvador and Cagayan de Oro. It is one of the largest inter-LGU coastal management alliances in the country.

Part of strengthening the Alliance is the Marine Protected Areas-Social Marketing Campaign (MPA-SMC) launched at Basamanggas Resort and Kimaya Fish Port, Jasaan, Mis Or on March 8.  The event was attended by different stakeholders, and underscored the significance of awareness among coastal barangays on long-term marine conservation through building Marine Protected Areas and Networks (MPAN).

“The concept of a Marine Protected Area is the same as the concept of time deposit,” illustrates Dr Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit, Head Secretariat of MBDA. In a marine sanctuary, there is a “No Take Zone” where fishing and other related activities are prohibited. “MPA allows the fishes to meet their partners, to multiply and live naturally. In time, it will move out of the zone and when it moves out, there is what we call as a ‘spillover effect’,” says Dr Quiaoit. “That’s the right time you can get the benefits.”

Hence, there is a need for bay-wide management to set-up a network of MPAs in the province, at least one per LGU. However, MBDA’s call to create a marine sanctuary will not be realized without the local government’s commitment. “The academe only has knowledge but the mayors have the power,” states Dr Quiaoit urging the LGU leaders to use their political will to conserve coastal resources through building an MPA and a Mac-Bay Law Enforcement Unit to ensure protection and security of the sanctuaries. “It’s really a partnership,” she continues.

Since the coastal areas of the Bay are dotted with businesses, MBDA also targets companies and investors to continue and heighten their engagements toward Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) and boosts ‘Blue and Green Investments.’ Lordilie S Enjambre, Executive Director of Oro Chamber, highlights that the management of our biodiversity is embedded with the CSR and it is as important as improving the social and financial status of a business. She continues that industries need to seek environment-friendly business practices.

Oliver L Ubaub, Vice-Chairperson of MBDA, advocates that coastal resource management is not just a role the government should take but is everyone’s business. “The general public should have a part in the Alliance— everyone should get involved,” he says.

MBDA also engages the national line of agencies, namely the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),  Philippine National Police-Maritime (PNP-Maritime), Philippines Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Trade and Industry,  SAMDHANA Institute, Cagayan de Oro Riverbasin  Council; non-government organizations; academic institutions, Center for Social Responsibility- University of Asia and the Pacific, Mindanao State University, XU- Research and Social Outreach (XU-RSO) and various media outlets and other stakeholders.

During the MPA-SMC Launching, Agutayan Island Sanctuary in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental was awarded 2012 Best Macajalar Bay- Marine Protected Area. The recognition was given by the Director of XU-MMC, Fr Mars P Tan SJ.

At Kimaya Fish Port, stakeholders in attendance unveiled the tarpaulin bearing the slogan “Ang marine sanctuary ampingan alang sa malahutayong panginabuhian.”

In 2012, MBDA was recognized by the Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 for its Sustainable Coastal Resource Management and was given a plaque of commendation for Sustainable Management of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.