Wazzup Pilipinas!?
How coastal communities across the archipelago are winning the fight for marine survival—one sanctuary at a time
"At Last!"
The words echoed through the grand ballroom of the Zuri Hotel in Iloilo City, carrying with them years of hope, disappointment, and unwavering determination. Mayor Rodolfo Magsino of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, stood before more than 200 marine conservation leaders on September 18, 2025, clutching an award his community had been chasing for years.
The Ranzo Fish Sanctuary had finally won.
"For the very first time," Mayor Magsino declared, his voice thick with emotion, "I'm proud to be a Pinamalenyo from Oriental Mindoro. To God be the glory!"
This moment—raw, honest, triumphant—captured the essence of Para el MAR 2025, where the Philippines' most dedicated ocean guardians gathered to celebrate two decades of marine conservation victories. But behind every trophy and certificate lies a deeper story: one of communities fighting against illegal fishing, climate change, and environmental degradation to protect the waters that sustain their lives.
The Battle for Biodiversity
The stakes have never been higher. With millions of Filipinos depending on fisheries for both livelihood and food security, the nation's marine ecosystems face mounting pressures from overfishing, pollution, and climate impacts. The solution, according to conservation leaders, lies not in distant policy rooms but in the hands of coastal communities themselves.
"Let Para el MAR be a space for collaboration, learning, and renewed hope," declared Ms. Edwina Garchitorena, Country Director of the Zoological Society of London-Philippines, as she opened this year's celebration. The theme—Bantay Karagatan, Bantay Kinabukasan: Local Action for Biodiversity and the Future—spoke directly to this community-driven approach.
The 2025 edition marked a milestone anniversary: 20 years since the Marine Protected Area Support Network (MSN) was formed in 2005, and 10 iterations of Para el MAR since its inception in 2007. What began as a modest recognition program has evolved into the nation's premier platform for marine conservation excellence.
Women Leading the Charge
In the mangrove-fringed waters of Coron, Palawan, another story of triumph unfolded. The Balisungan Marine Protected Area, managed entirely by women, claimed the Champion title in the Best Mangrove Award category.
Ms. Imelda S. Mazo, President of the Shalom Women's Biodiversity Conservation Association, Inc., accepted the award with grace and gratitude. Her words were simple but powerful: she thanked the partners who made their success possible, acknowledging that conservation is never a solitary endeavor.
The women of Balisungan represent a growing force in Philippine marine conservation—local leaders who understand that protecting mangroves means protecting nurseries for fish, barriers against storms, and carbon sinks that fight climate change. Their victory proves that effective stewardship knows no gender boundaries.
Networks That Work
"With cooperation, networks work," declared Mr. Roderico Bolo, accepting the Outstanding Network first place award on behalf of the Southern Negros Coastal Development Management Council. His closing words carried both celebration and resolve: "Conservation and our advocacies will still continue, including our struggles."
The acknowledgment of struggle was telling. Marine conservation in the Philippines is not a feel-good story of easy wins. It's a grinding, long-term commitment that requires coordination across multiple municipalities, constant vigilance against illegal fishing, and the resilience to continue despite setbacks.
The Southern Negros network, along with runners-up from Palawan's Calamianes and Shark Fin Bay regions, demonstrates that isolated marine protected areas can only achieve so much. True impact requires collaboration across political boundaries, shared enforcement strategies, and collective learning.
A Testament to Persistence
The Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape emerged as the Outstanding NIPAS MPA Champion, with Protected Area Superintendent Mr. Cirilo A. Lagnason Jr. offering remarks that resonated with authenticity.
"This is not only recognition—this is a testament," he said, dedicating the award not just to the Protected Area Management Board, but to the fishermen who depend on Sarangani Bay's waters. "Something that will be treasured for the rest of our service."
His words highlighted a crucial truth: marine protected areas exist not as museums to lock away ocean life, but as investments in the communities whose survival depends on healthy seas. When fish populations recover within protected zones, they spill over into surrounding waters, providing better catches and more stable livelihoods.
The Enforcers
Recognition came not only for conservation outcomes but for the courage to enforce protection. The Best in Enforcement Awards, sponsored by Oceana, went to Punta Ilag Fish Sanctuary in Oriental Mindoro for locally-managed MPAs and to Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape for NIPAS MPAs.
These awards acknowledge the often dangerous work of Bantay Dagat—fish wardens who patrol waters against illegal fishing operations, sometimes facing threats and violence. Their commitment upholds the rule of law in places where enforcement can mean confronting powerful economic interests.
The Ranzo Fish Sanctuary's double victory—both as Outstanding Locally-managed MPA and recipient of the Savior of the Sea Award from the PNP Maritime Group—underscored the importance of effective enforcement. Protection on paper means nothing without boots on boats and eyes on the water.
Thinking Big
The Largest MPA Award went to Concepcion-Sagrada-Bogtong MPA in Busuanga, Palawan, recognizing the sanctuary with the most extensive no-take zone where extractive activities are prohibited. Sponsored by Pacific Environment, this award challenges communities to think beyond small protected pockets.
The logic is compelling: larger no-take zones provide greater refuge for marine life to recover, reproduce, and rebuild depleted populations. They offer a model that balances conservation outcomes with community benefits, proving that protecting more ocean ultimately means more fish for everyone.
Learning from Leaders
Beyond awards, Para el MAR 2025 served as a knowledge exchange, featuring learning sessions from government agencies, research institutions, and conservation organizations. Topics ranged from operationalizing the blue economy through marine spatial planning to integrating coral restoration in local governance.
Dr. Maria Vanessa Baria-Rodriguez discussed coral restoration governance, while Ms. Amy Melissa Chua from Jollibee Group Foundation shared insights on community-based mangrove conservation. The diversity of speakers reflected the multifaceted nature of marine protection—requiring scientific knowledge, policy frameworks, community engagement, and sustainable financing.
Mr. Von Glenn Hernandez of Oceana presented on establishing the Panaon Island Protected Seascape, while Ms. Germaine de Ruña introduced the Philippines National Blue Carbon Action Partnership, highlighting how mangrove and seagrass conservation can contribute to climate mitigation efforts.
The Challenge Ahead
As the celebration concluded, Dr. Michael Atrigenio, President of the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation (MERF), delivered closing remarks that balanced gratitude with urgency.
"May your acts of courage and sacrifice serve as inspiration to coastal communities around the country," he told finalists. "The value of your heroic actions is immeasurable…[they have the] power to save lives."
But inspiration alone won't be enough. Dr. Atrigenio reminded attendees that conserving 30 percent of land and ocean by 2030—a global conservation target—remains a formidable challenge. Achieving this goal requires collective effort, expanded enforcement, and the political will to extend fully protected zones into offshore areas.
Assistant Director Isidro Velayo of the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources echoed this call to action: "Let us do more than celebrate…Let us rise as guardians of our oceans, champions of biodiversity, and stewards of food security. Let us ensure that our coasts remain vibrant, our seas abundant, and our future—bright."
Fish Be With You
Dr. Hazel Arceo, speaking on behalf of MSN Founder Dr. Perry Aliño, opened Champions Night with a reminder of Para el MAR's deeper purpose: "This is more than recognition—it is a celebration, a platform to showcase the country's best-managed MPAs, where champions from across the archipelago come together to share their stories, exchange lessons, and inspire one another."
She closed with Dr. Aliño's trademark expression: "Fish be with you all!"
The phrase, playful yet profound, captures the spirit animating the Philippines' marine conservation movement. These are not bureaucrats checking boxes or environmentalists imposing restrictions. They are coastal residents, municipal officials, women's groups, fish wardens, and indigenous peoples whose lives are inseparable from the sea.
A Legacy in the Making
As Tribu Paghidaet, champions of the 2025 Dinagyang Festival, performed dynamic dances celebrating Iloilo's cultural heritage, and as Maharlika Bahandi serenaded guests with indigenous instruments, the connection between cultural identity and marine stewardship became clear.
Protecting the Philippines' waters is not merely an environmental imperative—it's an act of cultural preservation, economic survival, and intergenerational responsibility. The coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and fishing grounds define Filipino coastal identity as much as language, music, or tradition.
Mayor Magsino's triumphant "At last!" was more than one municipality's victory. It was a declaration that persistence pays off, that local action matters, and that communities have the power to reverse decades of marine degradation.
The Road Forward
Today, the Marine Protected Area Support Network brings together 18 member organizations spanning civil society, academia, and government agencies, including DENR, BFAR, DOST, DILG, and the PNP Maritime Group. This coalition approach—matching community determination with technical support, policy backing, and enforcement capacity—offers a replicable model for marine conservation success.
The challenge now is scaling up. With hundreds of municipalities dotting the Philippine coastline, the awards handed out in Iloilo represent a fraction of the work needed. But they serve as proof of concept: when communities take ownership of their marine resources, when networks facilitate cooperation, and when governments provide backing, marine ecosystems can recover.
The fish do come back. The mangroves do regenerate. The corals do rebuild. But only if given the chance.
As the 200-plus participants departed Iloilo City, they carried with them not just awards and certificates, but renewed commitment to the grinding, essential work of marine protection. They returned to communities where success is measured not in applause but in fish counts, mangrove coverage, and the ability of the next generation to make a living from the sea.
"Our oceans and coasts are only as strong as the people who guard them," Assistant Director Velayo reminded them.
And in communities from Batanes to Sarangani, from Palawan to Oriental Mindoro, those guardians are standing watch.
For more information about the Marine Protected Area Support Network and Para el MAR, visit their Facebook page or contact msn@msi.upd.edu.ph
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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