Calapan, Oriental Mindoro — Two conservation agreements were renewed by Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) with community partners in Bgy Lazareto, Calapan and Bgy Ilag, San Teodoro in Oriental Mindoro on January 18, 2018.
The original conservation agreements were forged in December 2014 to implement a comprehensive marine biodiversity and coastal resource management program to improve, among others, the management and protection of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the localities and enable the regeneration of marine life and habitats including fisheries.
The program includes support to livelihoods and employment generation of the coastal communities for fisher folks and their families, capacity-building in conservation and MPA management, policy support, technical and logistical support, information-education campaigns, enforcement strengthening, MPA ranger stations and advocacy.
Since 2014, MPAs in Ilag and Lazareto have seen increases in fish abundance and diversity, as well as recovering coral growth and cover resulting from improved participation in management and enforcement by the communities and their local governments.
