Four of Top 5 Oriental Mindoro MPAs are MFI conservation partner sites

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro — Four of the top five best marine protected areas (MPAs) at the Sustaining MPAs Through Awards and Recognition (STAR) awards held in Calapan on October 25, 2018 are conservation partner sites of Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI).

The sites were assessed and rated based on management effectiveness and assessment tool for MPAs by assessors from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (U.P. MSI), MINSCAT, and independent evaluators from outstanding MPAs.

MFI’s partner barangays Ranzo, Ilag, MIsong and Sta. Theresa landed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th place respectively as follows:

Governor Umali keynoted the awards night which was graced by officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Maritime and the U.P. MSI.

STAR awards, which started in 2010, is held every two years.