Palawan Marine Protected Area (MPA) stations inaugurated

El Nido and Coron, Palawan—Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) and its local government and community partners inaugurated two (2) new marine protected area (MPA) stations in Palawan as part of enhancing enforcement for MPAs in MFI’s partner communities in El Nido and Coron.

The El Nido MPA station, located in barangay San Fernando, is a floating station that doubles as a tourist destination during the day—the revenues of which are utilized as incentive for deputized volunteer bantay dagats (sea rangers) and maintenance for the station.  The San Fernando MPA was expanded in from 57 to 1,709 hectares in 2023 with support from MFI.

Located in barangay Marcilla, Coron, the second MPA station seeks to boost protection for the 7,284-hectare Marcilla MPA established in 2016 with support from MFI together with the Coron LGU and community partners.  The Marcilla MPA is a recipient of several accolades from the USAID RACE Awards such as 2017 and 2019 1^st place Best-Emerging MPA, and 2021 and 2023 Best Initiative MPA.

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