Coron, Palawan—Various biodiversity-friendly conservation enterprise project grants were turned over by Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) to partners in barangays Marcilla and Bulalacao in Coron on May 24-25, 2022 as part of MFI’s socio-economic improvement support to the community under its marine biodiversity conservation program.
Turned over were seven (7) geometric-designed eco-tourism paddle boats, an octopus trade fishing boat, a passenger-tourist boat and a food processing facility which produces bottled seaweed pickles. The enterprises are operated by the community conservation-partner people’s organizations (PO’s) Samahang Katutubong Tagbanua ng Barangay Marcilla, Marcilla Seaweeds Growers Association and Samahan ng mga Mangingisda sa Barangay Bulalacao. A portion of net profits from the enterprises (10-15%) are allocated for conservation by the PO’s to support management and protection of their respective community-managed marine protected areas.
The Bulalacao and Marcilla MPA’s have been awarded multiple times since their formation in 2014 and 2015 respectively, including Best-Managed MPA (Bulalacao) in Palawan in 2020 from the Palawan provincial government’s PEARL Award.
