North Palawan partner MPA conservation sites reap multiple RACE Awards

Coron, Palawan—Five (5) partner conservation sites of Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) in the Calamianes region of North Palawan reaped multiple recognitions at the 2021 Recognition Awards for Calamianes’ Enhanced Ecosystem (RACE) Awards run by USAID’s Fish Right project.

RACE aims to recognize best-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) in Calamianes which includes the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga and Linapacan. Awarding was held on September 30, 2021 in Coron, Palawan.

Awards won by partner sites are:

BEST MANAGED MPA

2nd place: Bulalacao MPA (Coron, Palawan)

3rd place: San Miguel MPA (Linapacan, Palawan)

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BEST INITIATIVE MPA

1st place: Marcilla MPA (Coron, Palawan)

2nd place: Pical MPA (Linapacan, Palawan)

3rd place: Lajala MPA (Coron, Palawan)

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BEST IP-MANAGED

Bulalacao MPA (Coron, Palawan)

BEST LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAMS

Bulalacao MPA (Coron, Palawan)

San Miguel MPA (Linapacan, Palawan)

MFI signed conservation agreements with the communities, local governments and national agencies to implement a comprehensive marine conservation-coastal resource management program with the five sites from as far back as 2013.  The MPAs of the sites awarded were either newly-established or expanded as part of the partnership and support for management and protection were provided, including assistance for livelihoods, social mobilization, enforcement strengthening and assisted rehabilitation of ecosystems.

The same MPAs were awarded in the previous 2017 and 2019 RACE Awards.