Continued on page 11

A team of Filipino and foreign marine scientists found a dazzling array of soft

and hard corals, fish, algae, and sponges in Benham Bank, during a week-long expedi-tion in May 2016.

They observed one hundred percent coral cover in several sites, with an impressive field of plate corals.

“We saw terraces of corals, as far as the eye could see. It’s so exciting to know that we have such a vast and pristine coral reef ecosystem within Philippine territory,” said Marianne Pan-Saniano, marine scientist at Oceana Philippines.

She was part of the second expedition team — composed of fisheries and algae experts, microbiologists, oceanographers, ecologists, technical divers and videog-raphers from the Bureau of Fisheries and

Scientists explore Benham Bank

2nd Quarter 2016 Issue • Philippines

Oceana/UPLB

Norlan Pagal (on wheelchair), of Cebu; Eden Dayupay

(5th

from left), representing her late husband Oliver Dayupay, of Negros Oriental; Veda Raunillo (6

th

from

left), of Negros Oriental; and Roberto Quigay (right),

of Negros Occidental — pose proudly with (from left)

Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos of Oceana, and contest

judges: Director Mundita Lim of the DENR-Biodiversity

Management Bureau; Dr. Maria Cecilia Gastardo-

Conaco, of the University of the Philippines; and BFAR

assistant director Benjamin Tabios, Jr. Also shown is

former DENR Secretary Angel Alcala (2nd

from right).

Duterte to wage war vs. illegal fishing

Despite grave threats to their lives, four Visayan fisherfolks went on

to wage relentless campaigns against illegal fishing in their respective coastal communities, along Tañon Strait, one of the country’s largest marine protected areas between Cebu and Negros islands.

Norlan Pagal, of Barangay Anapog, San Remigio, Cebu, was shot at by illegal

President Rodrigo Duterte during his first State of the Nation

Address (SONA), July 25, 2016, at the Batasang Pambansa,

Quezon City.

Continued on page 4

Continued on page 11

President Rodrigo Duterte will strictly enforce fisheries laws, particularly in

combatting illegal fishing. He issued the stern warning during his

first State of the Nation Address (SONA), July 25, 2016, before the joint session of the Philippine Congress, in Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City.  

“We will strictly enforce fisheries laws, particularly on illegal fishing,” said Duterte, as part of his administration’s agriculture policies.

In particular, the country’s 16th President said:

“Road development projects shall

Soft corals in Benham Bank

4 Visayan fishers named ‘Ocean Heroes’

Oceana

METAMORPHOSEAS By Atty. Gloria ‘Golly’ Estenzo Ramos

Oceana sees stronger partnership in fighting illegal fishing

We laud the President’s emphasis on fighting illegal fishing, as part

of his State of the Nation Address, and his appointment of strong advocates in the environment and agriculture posts: Ms. Regina “Gina” Lopez, as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), former Cotabato Governor Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol, as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, and retired Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Eduardo Gongona as Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries and National Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Likewise, we welcome the designation of Senator Cynthia Villar, as chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, and Representative Luis Ferrer IV (Cavite, 6th District), as chairperson of the House of Representatives committee on aquaculture and fisheries resources.

We expect stronger partnership and collaboration with the DENR, BFAR, and our key decision- makers, as we continue our advocacy to conserve and protect the country’s oceans and marine resources for the benefit of succeeding generations of Filipinos.

We believe that the general management plan for the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape as endorsed by the Protected Area Management Board will be favorably considered by the Biodiversity Management Bureau and by DENR Secretary Gina Lopez.

We look forward to sustained, strong collaboration with BFAR under the leadership of Director Gongona, as we implement the provisions of the Fisheries Code, as amended by RA 10654, particularly the implementation of the vessel monitoring mechanism, creation of administrative tribunals and other tools for stronger enforcement of our fisheries laws.

We are beyond words with Director Gongona’s announcement for the donation of at least two patrol boats dedicated to seaborne patrolling operations in Tañon Strait, first relayed through Oceana when we did our courtesy call. Maraming salamat po!

Benham Bank ExpeditionWe commend the successful and

safe conduct of 2nd Benham Bank expedition. Oceana was privileged and honored to be part of it, as we contributed modern equipment, and technical assistance of our technical men and women, led by Margot Stiles and Marianne Pan Saniano.

There will be a special edition of this newsletter on the 2nd Benham Bank expedition.

We commend our partners in this historic journey — particularly the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) which funded the second expedition, as well as the first one; the BFAR scientists and the entire crew of the M/V DA-

BFAR; the teams of scientists from the University of the Philippines Marines Science Institute (UP-MSI) and UP Los Baños School of Environmental Science and Management (UPLB-SESAM).

We also take our hats off to the country’s first batch of ‘Tañon Strait Ocean Heroes,’ who continue to earn the accolade, inspiration and respect for their courage and dedication, risking their life to deter illegal and destructive fishing in their respective coastal villages. (Please read stories on pages 4-5.)

Our strong advocacy and stand against dumping and filling of our fragile and already vastly threatened marine ecosystems through the so-called reclamation projects remain firm.

We will continue to collaborate and strengthen our alliances to mainstream sustainable development and away from short-sighted projects, that permanently destroy fish habitats, and deprive hundreds of small fisherfolk and their families with source of food and livelihood. (Please read stories on

pages 6-7.) We also took part in the

18th anniversary celebration of the Tañon Strait Protected

officials of Oceana Philippines, an international

marine conservation organization, led by Atty.

Gloria Estenzo Ramos (4th

from left). She and Atty.

Edward Lorenzo (right), Oceana policy and legal

director. shared with Dir. Gongona Oceana’s various

initiatives — in partnership with BFAR, Department

of Environment and Natural Resources, local

government units, fishers’ groups and other civil

society organizations and environmental groups —

against illegal, destructive and commercial fishing

in municipal waters, particularly in Tañon Strait;

campaign to protect and conserve sardine

spawning areas, and implementation of vessel

monitoring mechanism, as required under

the amended Fisheries Code (RA 10654).

Joining them (from left) are: Carlos Jagosojos,

Philippine Fisheries Development Authority

(PFDA) port manager in Bicol; Alma C.

Dickson, BFAR fisheries management

consultant; Noel Reyes, Oceana media

consultant; and Dr. Drusila Esther Bayate,

BFAR assistant director for technical services.

To sustain the government’s campaign against

illegal and destructive fishing operations, the

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

under its ‘Bantay-Dagat’ program has committed

to provide at least one 30-foot boat with twin 16-HP

engines to patrol Tañon Strait, one of the country’s

largest marine protected areas between Negros and

Cebu. Newly-appointed Department of Agriculture

Undersecretary for Fisheries and concurrent

BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona (5th

from left)

made the commitment at a recent courtesy call of

BFAR donates boat to patrol Tañon Strait 

Continued on page 11

BFAR

that the oil spill happened Friday (June 10, 2016) morning, after local fishermen reported seeing oil sticking on seagrass in Pescador Island.

The PCG said that they are looking at the possibility that one of the vessels passing between Negros and Cebu province may have caused the spill.

Due to the unfortunate incident, Ramos said monitoring systems for all types of vessels passing through the protected area should be put immediately in place.

“It is time to start identifying navigational lanes in relation to critical areas in the Strait that are coral-rich and pathways for marine mammals and fisheries,” the Oceana official said.

Tañon Strait is a critical habitat and important migratory path for 14 of the 27 species of whales and dolphins in the Philippines.

It is a rich fishing ground for coastal dwellers in 42 cities and municipalities in Cebu and Negros Islands.

Threats such as overfishing, unregulated coastal development, and pollution persist despite the area’s protected status, damaging fish habitats and adversely affecting the livelihoods of artisanal fisherfolks. (By Cielito M.

Reganit, PNA; Candeze Mongaya, Oceana)

Oceana Philippines has urged for the urgent implementation of the

General Management Plan (GMP) in Tañon Strait, after an oil spill was detected in Pescador Island, in Moalboal, Cebu.

A famous dive spot and tourist destination, the coastal municipality of Moalboal is known for its rich coral reef and diverse marine species such as the sea turtles. It is part of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), one of the largest marine protected areas in the Philippines.

Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president for Oceana Philippines, said that the oil spill emphasizes the urgent need for the implementation of a General Management Plan (GMP) in Tañon Strait, which would require strict no-go zones and clear designated routes for vessels in the area.

“We should be more proactive in protecting our marine resources. The local government units and the Protected Area Management Body should closely scrutinize the operation of polluting industries, and prohibit hazardous emissions and discharges,” she said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said

3

Marine conservation groups called on President Rodrigo Duterte to

end crimes happening at sea and coastal communities within six months, just as he vowed to do with drug-related crimes.

“We call on the new administration to immediately address the crime of illegal fishing and start rehabilitating our overfished waters,” Oceana Philippines vice president Gloria Estenzo-Ramos said in a joint statement issued by environmental groups that include Oceana, Greenpeace, NGOs for Fisheries Reform, and World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).

Dubbed as the “10-point Blue Agenda,” the groups asked the Duterte administration to implement a fisherfolk settlement program, creation of fish landing centers, finish delineation of municipal waters, creation of department of fisheries and aquatic resources, implement programs

to revive the seas, protect the country’s aquatic resources, strengthen governance of the seas, create a traceability mechanism for fishery products, strengthen ability of fisherfolk to adapt to climate change, and develop a sustainable way of fishing.

“We look forward to seeing political will in the new government’s campaign against crime to include its focus on prosecuting plunderers of our oceans, to protect the people’s right to healthy marine ecosystems and ensure food security for all Filipinos,” Ramos said.

“We expect nothing less than strong, resolute implementation of the amended fisheries law against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” said Vince Cinches, oceans campaigner of Greenpeace Philippines.”

“We strongly support the creation of

a Department of Oceans and Fisheries for improved fisheries governance and strict enforcement of Republic Act 10654 (Amended Fisheries Code),” added Joann Binondo of the WWF.

Fisherfolks remain the poorest among the basic sectors in the country, with poverty incidence at 39.2 percent in 2012, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed

Illegal dynamite fishing has also contributed to the massive destruction of coral reefs in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, according to the WWF.

Protein deficiency among fishing communities has increased at an alarming rate due to overfishing, illegal fishing and habitat destruction, according to a report from ‘Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest Project’ a program for improved fisheries management. (By Yasmin Arquiza and Candeze Mongaya,

Oceana Philippines)

President Duterte asked to end crimes at seaOceana /Danny Ocampo

Tañon Strait plan urged as oil spill detected in Moalboal

Sardine Shoal in Moalboal, Cebu

Oceana/Ferdinand Edralin

however, spoke with a strong voice and with conviction when asked on his passion for protecting the environment: ‘I will not stop, God forbid, until I am dead.’

“Pagal and 10 others from Cebu and Negros provinces were given recognition for their consistent work in protecting one of the country’s major fishing grounds—a recognition fit for heroes who have shown courage, sacrifice and dedication to protect the environment.

“Pagal was the winner for Cebu, while Oliver Dayupay, a fisherman in Ayungon town, who recently passed away due to natural cause, was the recipient of the award from Negros Oriental.

“Oliver Dayupay’s widow, Genita, who received the award for her late husband, said she was surprised by her husband’s death but vowed to continue his advocacy for ocean conservation. She said in Cebuano: ‘I was asked by our mayor to continue what my husband was doing to help our community. I’ve been a member of a group that protects our MPA [marine-protected area] and will continue with what my husband was doing to help in my own little way.’

“For Negros Occidental, the awardee was Roberto Quigay, a leader of small fishermen in San Carlos City.

“For the women’s sector, Veda Raunillo, also a leader in a small-fishing community, won the award.

“Isabelo Montejo, DENR regional director for Central Visayas said” ‘This event [awarding ceremonies] will encourage other partners to help protect Tañon Strait. It will also send a message to the public that the DENR, as well as its partners, means business particularly in the campaign against illegal fishing, illegal destruction of mangroves and other destructive activities that threaten Tañon Strait.’

“BFAR Assistant Director for Administrative Services Benjamin F.S. Tabios Jr., who was one of the judges, said: ‘The event strengthens the relationship of government and civil society, such as Oceana, who are working together for the common good and well-being of the Filipinos.’

“BMB Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim said the award also recognizes good governance practices in the Tañon Strait that help support the cause of marine protection and conservation.”

Finally, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, in its June 18, 2016 issue, published a story done by Cebu correspondent Jose Santino Bunachita, entitled ‘Spotlight shines on ocean heroes.’ Bunachita, who also reports for the Cebu Daily News, wrote:

“Every day, Norlan Pagal would painstakingly push his wheelchair to the shore of his village in San Remegio town in northern Cebu, bring out his old pair of binoculars, and scan the waters of Tañon Strait.

“If I see something not right, I will report it to the seaborne patrol of the municipality so they can take action,” he said.

“I never thought I would reap the fruits of what I had done in the past,” Pagal said. “It is rewarding to see that my children and grandchildren have something to be proud of.”

“Going after illegal fishers in the protected areas and arresting them earned him enemies, some of

‘Ocean Heroes’ hug limelight

Media coverage of the 1st Ocean Heroes Awards has propelled into limelight the

four ‘Ocean Heroes,’ particularly wheel chair-bound Norlan Pagal of Cebu.

Below are excerpts of their stories published in selected major national newspapers.

Manila Bulletin, in its June 15, 2016 issue, published a story written by Leo Laparan II, headlined ‘Ocean hero vows to protect Tañon Strait despite threats.’ Below are excerpts of Leo’s story on Norlan Pagal of San Remigio, Cebu:

“He may be wheelchair-bound now, but that won’t stop him from standing up again and keeping his sight on the sea.

“Pagal’s burning love for the sea nearly cost him his life last October 24, 2015.

“I caught an owner of a compressor, who conspired to kill me. They shot me. The bullet hit my spinal cord; now, I can’t walk,” he said. The shooting happened after delivering a short speech as barangay councilor in a barangay fiesta.

“Despite the incident, Pagal is not one to take this environmental headache in his locality sitting down on his wheelchair.

“Pagal’s heroic deed caught the attention of Oceana Philippines, the non-governmental organization that conferred him one of the awards, which were first given out this year.

“Tañon Strait has been a protected area for 18 years now. Oceana may be a young organization, but we know that a lot of people have been working so hard, in their own little way, to protect and conserve Tañon,” Oceana Philippines Campaigns Manager Daniel Ocampo said.

“The recognition rites on June 8 coincided with the observance of World Oceans Day as declared by the United Nations.

“We’ve heard a lot of stories when we went around Tañon, that some of these people sometimes get death threats or harassed by enforcing the law, and for believing that they are instruments in protecting our coastal resources,” Ocampo said. “We thought [the Ocean Heroes Awards] is the best way to recognize them and encourage other people to follow them.”

“Pagal, who was accompanied by his wife Elma and daughter Christine during the awards night, advised his fellow ordinary citizens to break free from their fear when it comes to facing wrongdoers of nature:

‘I’m not afraid to continue my advocacy. For as long as I live, nothing can stop me from realizing my principles. If God takes my life back because of it, it’s okay; someday soon, many people will see what I have done, not for my own sake, but for my entire community.’”

BusinessMirror also published a similar account, in June 11, 2016, written by Jonathan Mayuga, entitled ‘World Oceans Day: Heroes of Tañon Strait recognized.’ Below are some excerpts:

“Norlan Pagal sat on his wheelchair, his knees touching each other and his legs were motionless. Mild mannered and quiet most of the time, he,

whom even tried to kill him. On Oct. 24, 2015, Pagal was shot while on his way home during the barangay fiesta celebration. The bullet hit his spinal cord so he could no longer walk.

“Raunillo, who was credited with the continued implementation of marine protection and mangrove rehabilitation in her community despite being harassed and threatened, wants to buy office equipment and other needs to support coastal management activities in Guihulngan.

“Quigay was recognized for leading his fellow fishers in securing Sipaway’s sanctuaries in San Carlos from destructive fishing methods.

“Dayupay, who was also a certified scuba diver, regularly participated in biannual reef monitoring projects organized by Ayungon’s agriculture office due to his extensive knowledge of corals. He also organized fishermen in protecting the town’s marine sanctuary from illegal fishers.

“On May 25, while attending a seminar in Cebu, Dayupay was found unconscious in his room and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. “He died in the line of service. He used to tell me that he was ready to die in his line of work and he really did,” his wife said.

“Theresa Mundita Lim, director of the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau, hailed the Ocean Heroes for working every day to protect the Tañon Strait from illegal fishing. ‘They act as a light to inspire and change the way of thinking of individuals, groups, and organization toward sustainable resources management,’ Lim said.

“The finalists and winners of the Ocean Heroes Awards are unsung heroes of the Tañon Strait, said Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president for Oceana Philippines. ‘May they continue to inspire us, and serve as an example, on how we can work together for our seas,’ she said.”

4

fishers who conspired to kill him. He survived, but his spinal cord was hit, disabling him. Now unable to walk, Pagal said: “I am not afraid to continue my advocacy against illegal fishing, even if I lose my life.”

Oliver Dayupay, president of a fisherfolk association in Barangay Iniban, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, was also nearly killed by an unknown assailant, as he and his fellow fishers vigorously protected their marine sanctuary against illegal fishers and encroachers. He unfortunately passed away last June 1, 2016, due to heart attack.

Roberto C. Quigay, of Barangay 6, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, leads his fellow fishers against dynamite fishing and other illegal fishing activities to protect their main source of livelihood, the marine sanctuaries off Sipaway Island.

Manila Bulletin, June 16, 2016

4 Visayan fishers ... Continued from page 1

5

I’ve always been a fan of superhero films. When I was young, I had the impression

that all superheroes have superpowers, who were great people because they could leap across tall buildings in a single jump, read and control people’s minds, or change into any form they want.

When I started working for environmental organizations, I began to see that there were people in the different communities where I worked who showed that it doesn’t take much to become a hero, a real life superhero working for our environment.

A month after Oceana Philippines held its awards night and recognition for 11 nominees at the first-ever Ocean Heroes of Tañon Strait, last June 8, I am still inspired by their stories of commitment, dedication, and passion to stop illegal fishing, and to protect and conserve marine resources and help rehabilitate ecosystems.

They are ordinary people — if we can call somebody standing up against armed men ordinary — who have worked for so many years in their communities against all odds, and contributed to the protection of this 18-year-old marine protected area.

Tañon Strait ‘Protectors’Oceana launched the Ocean Heroes Award

�to recognize individuals who have consistently worked for the protection of Tañon Strait, fought against destructive projects and illegal fishing in the area, ensured enforcement of fisheries laws and protection of habitats and species, and inspire others to be an agent for change in effecting policies geared towards sustainable fisheries management in the protected area.�

Winners were chosen from each of the provinces bordering Tañon Strait (Cebu, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental) and a special

Ordinary people against all odds

award was given to a woman community leader.The ‘Ocean Hero’ for Cebu is Norlan Pagal, a

fisherman from San Remigio, who became a staunch guardian of the marine sanctuary in his village of Anapog. He is married and has five children.

He is a very active Bantay-Dagat member, who implements fisheries laws strictly. He is also a crusader against drug abuse. Because of these advocacies, he has put his life on the line, receiving death threats repeatedly. He has been beaten with a paddle, a dynamite was thrown at his boat (luckily it didn’t explode), and he got shot at several times.

Last year, on his way home from a fiesta where he had just given a speech, he was shot at and he suffered a spinal cord injury. Since then, he has been confined on a wheel chair, but this did not stop him from pursuing his dedication to protect Tañon Strait.

With the continued support of his family and fellow fish wardens, he still goes to the seashore every morning to ensure that no illegal fishing happens in their marine sanctuary.

True fisherfolk leaderThe ‘Ocean Hero’ for Negros Occidental is

Roberto Quigay, of San Carlos City.  A true leader for small fisherfolk, he is a member and officer of various fisherfolk organizations and once headed the San Carlos City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC).

His dedication to the welfare of his fellow fishers led him to develop various projects and programs for livelihood to support their members, as well as the establishment of marine protected areas in San Carlos City.

As an expert on fisheries laws and issues, he has become the ‘go-to guy’ for researchers and agencies coming to San Carlos, who want to know more about coastal management in his part of Tañon Strait. He is also very active in enforcing the law, joining regular patrols to make sure illegal fishing is stopped in their waters.

Posthumous awardeeThe ‘Ocean Hero’ from Negros Oriental, Oliver

Dayupay of Ayungon, sadly passed away before the Ocean Awards were held.

I met him in March this year, when we were conducting a demonstration and pilot-testing of a vessel monitoring mechanism (VMM), a device that is now required by law to track fishing vessels.

When we asked for volunteers who would be willing to pilot-test the VMM, he was among the first to step forward.

Back then, I could already see that Oliver was a person willing to do everything to ensure that fisheries laws were implemented.

I met him again a few weeks before the awards night to interview him about his planned project “in

The author is currently the Campaigns Director of Oceana

Philippines, who along with Mary Ann ‘Maan’ Ibanez Mayo,

took the lead in the conduct of the 1st

Ocean Heroes’ Awards,

in tandem with other Oceana Philippines officers and staff.

By Danny Ocampo

case he wins.” At that time, the judges had already made the decision, but we wanted to keep his victory a surprise.

I informed him that he’s a finalist, and seeing him smile and knowing he had a chance to get recognized as an Ocean Hero was priceless.

When he was discussing his proposed project, his selflessness shone. He wanted a goat-raising project for his fellow fishers to address two issues — livelihood and minimize pressure on our depleted coastal resources.

Lady fish wardenThere were three woman-finalists for the

Ocean Heroes Awards, with the top prize going to Veda Raunillo, of Guihulngan City.

She is a fish warden, leader and member of various fisherfolk organizations, and the ‘fisherfolk provincial director’ of Negros Oriental.

A proud mother and wife, she performs her duties to her family with as much zeal as she pursues her advocacy, looking after the welfare of fishers in Tañon Strait.

She has led and joined various activities such as patrolling and mangrove planting, and has helped develop livelihood projects to alleviate poverty in her hometown.

Despite experiencing threats because of her involvement in enforcement activities, she has continued to lead fisherfolk organizations in stopping illegal fishing in Tañon Strait.

Other ‘Ocean Heroes’The other nominees are heroes in their own

right as well. As one of the judges said: “It was very difficult

to choose because we know all of them have contributed in their own way to ensure that Tañon Strait and our marine resources are protected, but we had to choose only four winners.”

The selection process proved to be so difficult that the judges had to reconvene and break the tie for the nominees in Cebu.

A few weeks after the awards night, our Ocean Heroes have returned to their respective homes. It is inspiring to see how the media has written about the event, giving well-deserved and long overdue recognition to our real-life superheroes.

In fact, Norlan Pagal has been approached by several organizations for possible assistance after seeing the news about him, winning as an ‘Ocean Hero.’

Our ‘Ocean Heroes ‘are now implementing their respective projects, funded partly by their prize money.

It is heartening to know that they have also gained a lot of encouragement to pursue their advocacy because of the recognition they got.

So the next time we hear about superheroes, I hope we also remember that it doesn’t really take much to become a hero.

As Norlan Pagal said when he was speaking in front of students in Cebu City: “When your heart and mind are one, and you are guided by principles, then it will never be hard to dedicate your life to saving the oceans.”

Continued on page 10

Danny Ocampo installs a vessel monitoring equipment on the fishing boat of the late Oliver

Dayupay of Ayungon, Negros Oriental.

Despite physical harassments and grave threats, Veda L. Raunillo, of Sitio Kinayan, Barangay. Bulado, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, continues to implement a marine protection and mangrove rehabilitation program in their community.

For their courage and continuing efforts to protect their coastal communities from illegal and destructive fishing activities, Pagal, Dayupay, Quigay and Raunillo were adjudged as the country’s first “Ocean Heroes,” on June 8, in Cebu City, coinciding with the observance of “World Oceans Day.”

Unsung Heroes“They exemplify thousands of yet unknown

and unsung heroes, who choose to be in the

Land reclamation threatens marine ecosystem

6

The massive dump and fill or reclamation projects being sought by various project

proponents threaten the marine ecosystems in the Central and Eastern Visayas.

“There are at least eight reclamation projects that are in various stages of development in Cebu alone,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines.

Oceana Philippines is appealing to President Rodrigo Duterte to stop such destructive development projects and, instead, work for the rehabilitation of damaged mangrove and beach forests, coral reefs and seagrass beds to ensure sustainable fish production and prevent biodiversity loss.

The reclamation projects, which are mostly sought for the expansion of ports and urban areas, are being initiated by local governments in partnership with the private sector through public-private partnerships.

Ramos said the reclamation projects are being implemented even without the necessary permits and all-important environmental impact assessment.

Oceana is seeking to stop these reclamation projects as part of its advocacy to protect the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) from destruction. An important fishing ground, the Tañon Strait is also home, resting area and feeding ground of various marine mammals, particularly 14 species of dolphins and whales.

Land reclamation destroys mangrove, seagrass and corals, which serve as spawning grounds and nursery grounds of not only small fishes, but other marine mammals, as well as crabs, said Jimely Flores, senior marine scientist at Oceana Philippines.

“If we lose these habitats, we cut the cycle of life,” she said, underscoring the need to stop all land reclamation to protect the habitat-forming species from being lost forever.

“Now, we may not feel it yet. But its impact will be felt by future generation,” said Flores.

Rocky Guzman, of Oceana’s legal and policy

team, said there are at least 15 proposed land-reclamation projects in various parts of Central and Eastern Visayas.

Guzman, who is leading the group’s campaign against illegal dumps and landfills, sought a list of proposed land-reclamation projects being processed by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) in Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas in the group’s attempt to intervene and seek legal remedy in behalf of the threatened species and marine ecosystems in these regions.

Ramos said the land-reclamation projects

“Oceana strongly opposes dump-and-fill or reclamation projects as these permanently damage mangroves, sea grass beds, corals and other fisheries habitats,” Oceana said in its position paper.

“Dump-and-fill is an irreversible form of environmental degradation, which runs counter to the 1987 Philippine Constitution that mandates the protection of the nation’s vast and diverse marine wealth,” Oceana added.

The Constitution also mandates to provide Filipino citizens with a healthful and balanced ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature and protect the rights of subsistence fishermen, especially of local communities, Oceana said.

Below are the main issues and related information raised by Oceana in its stand against reclamation projects:

• Dump and fill projects adversely affect multiple ecosystems such as mangroves, sea grass beds, coral reefs, and intertidal zones. These ecosystems are important spawning habitats of fisheries resources, which Filipinos largely depend on for sustenance and livelihood. Reclamation projects render these ecosystems no longer viable to support fish and food production, and livelihood of fisherfolk. Hence, reclamation projects result in lower incomes from fishing, reduced local food production, and create more poverty among ruralfolk. Further, they exacerbate cases of

subsidence, liquefaction and habitat loss. • Research studies show that the destruction

of coastal and marine ecosystems within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone has left fish stocks depleted by as much as 90%, sea grass beds destroyed by as much as 50%, and coral reefs degraded by as much as 96%, all in the past 50 years.

• Reclamation projects compound the country’s vulnerability to adverse impacts of climate change such as sea level rise, storm surges and displacement of coastal residents. These resulting scenario should be considered by reclamation project proponents and the government before they decide to undertake reclamation projects.

Enforce laws vs reclamation projects

should be stopped, enjoining various stakeholders in Cebu and other parts of the Visayas to help protect marine ecosystem from being irreversibly damaged or destroyed in the name of corporate interests.

“Land reclamation can destroy not only habitats but cause irreversible damage to our marine ecosystems. Once these ecosystems are lost, our way of life, our food security are also threatened,” she said.

In an earlier interview, Jose Gonzales, assistant general manager of PRA told the BusinessMirror that as far as the agency

A reclamation project for a seaport in Barangay Poblacion, in Cordova, Cebu, along Tañon Strait.

Land reclamation threatens marine ecosystem

7

LGUs asked to stop reclamation

Stakeholders and small fisherfolk are urging newly-elected local officials — particularly

the governors of Cebu, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidentals and the municipal mayors along the coast of Tañon Strait — to end illegal and commercial fishing operations in Tañon Strait, the country’s largest marine protected area.

“We hope that our new set of political leaders will be supportive of our conservation efforts. The protection of Tañon Strait also lies on their hands. They must make the protection of our natural resources in Tañon Strait a priority,” said Am Prospero Lendio, area superintendent of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), during a simple celebration

End illegal fishing in Tañon Strait• The right to a balanced and healthful ecology

is an enforceable legal right under the Philippine Constitution. It is appalling that dump-and-fill projects are mostly approved without complying with the Constitution and various laws to ensure the right of the people to a balanced ecology.

• Conservation, not further destruction of our marine habitats, is therefore key to food security, protection of the environment, and provision of sustained source of food and livelihoods to millions of subsistence Filipino fisherfolk and their families.

• We demand that the people’s right to a healthful and balanced ecology be enforced by strictly enforcing the laws against illegal dump-and-fill projects.

Oceana Philippines recently urged seven local government units (LGUs) in Cebu

to stop their reclamation projects, otherwise they will be charged in court.

Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana Philippines vice president, reminded the mayors of the municipalities of Cordova, Consolacion, Compostela and Minglanilla and the cities of Toledo, Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu that reclamation is illegal under Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution.

The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has confirmed that there are 10 reclamation projects on the pipeline in Cebu and the proponents are LGUs, private firms and private individuals.

Lawyer Joselito D. Gonzales, PRA assistant general manager for reclamation and regulation office, confirmed the list of projects in his letter to lawyer Roger Joseph Guzman, legal and policy associate of Oceana Philippines.

Gonzales identified the proposed projects as Best Wester Sunbar Reclamation Project and CAGLI Reclamation Project in Barangay Alegria, Cordova, Cebu; a reclamation for international seaport in Cordova, Cebu; the Rafael Ramos Naval Base Reclamation by the Philippine Navy in Lapu-Lapu City; a reclamation project in Poblacion, Compostela town; a proposed reclamation in Tayud, Consolacion town as proposed by Benjamin Pepito and Manuel Velayo; and the proposed reclamation from Boulevard to Tañon Straight in Toledo City.

Compostela Mayor Joel Quino told Sun.Star Cebu that the proposed reclamation is necessary to accommodate fishermen and their planned ferryboat service from Compostela to Mactan Economic Zone because of the heavy vehicular traffic between Compostela and Mandaue City.

For her part, Consolacion Mayor Teresa Pepito Alegado said she endorsed the reclamation project in Barangay Tayud because this will be a part of the proposed international container port.

Mayor Adelino Sitoy, for his part, said that reclamation projects are necessary to spark development and provide employment and business opportunities to the people.

Sitoy said he wondered why Oceana Philippines is singling out Cordova and did not complain against the reclamation projects at South Road Properties (SRP), and the cities of Mandaue, Toledo, Ormoc, San Carlos and Naga and in Balamban town and in Metro Manila.

Ramos said their opposition against reclamation projects is nationwide.

She said they are now strongly supporting the call of Senator Cynthia Villar to abolish the PRA “because it has become an agent to destroy our life support system by approving reclamation projects.”

Ramos said that from the beginning, the PRA was illegal because this was created only through an executive order issued by then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Ramos said that if the PRA is illegal, the creation of Cebu Reclamation Authority by the Cebu Provincial Government was also

illegal. (By Elias O. Baquero, Sun.Star Cebu)

is concerned, only around 2,000 hectares of coastal areas have been converted as part of various urban expansion projects.

Eight massive land-reclamation projects are currently in the pipeline, mostly along Manila Bay and some parts of Metro Cebu. There are hundreds more being applied for by various proponents.

The PRA said it only approves land-reclamation projects when the target area has been given the green light by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (By Jonathan L. Mayuga, BusinessMirror)

 

A reclamation project for a seaport in Barangay Poblacion, in Cordova, Cebu, along Tañon Strait.

of 18th anniversary of the TSPS, in Badian, Cebu, on May 27, 2016.

“Illegal and commercial fishing continue to persist, which damages fish habitats in Tañon Strait, including land reclamation projects and establishment of industries,” added Lendio, before 100 attendees composed of fisherfolk, Badian municipal and barangay officials, officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), students, and representatives from civil society organizations that include Oceana Philippines, Rare and Tambuyog.

For their part, Lendio said the TSPS protected area office (PAO) continues to

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Oceana

Oceana

Oceana

Monitor illegal, commercial fishing in Tañon

Stakeholders called for the monitoring of illegal and commercial fishing in the Tañon Strait

Protected Seascape (TSPS), one of the largest marine protected areas in the Philippines. Oceana is pilot-testing the use of Vessel Monitoring technology to track fishing activities within the protected seascape.

“Tañon Strait is one of the top marine biodiversity hotspots in the country. A strong monitoring mechanism is necessary to ensure that our marine wealth is protected against illegal commercial and destructive fishing,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President of Oceana Philippines.

Ramos said that despite the area’s protected status, overfishing, unregulated coastal developments like reclamation projects, and pollution, among other challenges persist — which impair fish habitats and adversely affect the livelihood of artisanal fisherfolk.

In a series of Tañon Strait Site Management Unit (SMU) meetings in July 2016—held in Cebu City; Calatrava Negros Occidental; and in Guihulngan, and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental — Oceana presented before local stakeholders the use and benefits of vessel monitoring as a tool to track fishing vessels and identify fishing hotspots in Tañon Strait.

Negros Island local and environment officials, including civil society

organizations (CSOs), recently convened to pursue initiatives and craft policies to protect and sustainably manage their terrestrial and marine protected areas.

They agreed to push for the completion and finalization of the respective management plan of the six Negros Island Region (NIR) protected areas.

This was one of the outputs of the 1st Negros Island Region Protected Area Management Summit (NIRPAMS), in Bacolod City, on July 28-30, 2016, organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with NIR provincial and municipal governments, and CSOs led by Oceana Philippines.

The NIR has six protected areas that

Vessel monitoring is a non-satellite-based tracking system, which uses on-board units that transmit information such as location and speed of a vessel to receivers like computer, tablet or smartphone. This enables users to track and monitor the position, course, and speed of the vessels from 3.1 – 30 gross tons, at any given time. The device is cheaper than the satellite-based vessel monitoring system (VMS) required by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for use of commercial fishing vessels weighing more than 30 gross tons.

The amended Fisheries Code or RA 10654 requires the installation of vessel monitoring technologies on fishing vessels over 3.1 gross tons.

“It is a fact that commercial fishing vessels continue to encroach the municipal waters in Tañon Strait. Putting in place a monitoring mechanism will provide a holistic approach to sustainable fisheries management in the Strait and hopefully deter illegal fishing activities,” Ramos said.

She noted that vessel monitoring is an effective tool to track vessels passing through Tañon Strait.

Citing the recent oil spill in Moalboal, Cebu

(pls see related story on page 3), Ramos pushes for monitoring of vessels passing through environmentally-critical areas such as Tañon Strait, for accountability in the event of destruction and damages caused on marine and coastal ecosystems and the livelihood of fisherfolk and residents.

Ayungon Mayor Edsel Enardecido, who presided the SMU meeting in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, agreed, saying that “vessel monitoring is an important tool to track commercial fishing vessels in Tañon Strait. However, there’s a need for more orientation of our fisherfolk and stakeholders.”

Enardecido said their ‘Bantay-Dagat’ enforcers conduct regular patrolling of illegal and commercial fishing in Ayungon, Negros Oriental. It has seven marine protected areas declared through a municipal ordinance.

Ayungon has about 3,000 municipal fishers, who depend on Tañon Strait for food and livelihood.

“It’s imperative that we take stronger measures to protect our resources,” he said.

For his part, Tañon Strait protected area superintendent Am Prospero Lendio said he is optimistic that the vessel monitoring technology will be implemented within Tañon Strait.

“Vessel monitoring would greatly help the Protected Area Office (PAO) in observing fishing activities in Tañon Strait. It is an important enforcement tool in sustainably managing our marine resources and the protected area,” Lendio concluded.

are either legislated or declared through presidential proclamation, namely: Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape; Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park; Mount Kanlaon Natural Park; Northern Negros Natural Park; Sagay Marine Reserve; and Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.

The summit was participated in by DENR officials led by Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio and Undersecretary for field operations Arturo Valdez. It was hosted by the DENR-NIR, led by regional director Dr. Al Orolfo.

The important activity served as venue to inform stakeholders of the present state of the six protected areas, share management success stories, identify key issues and concerns, and highlight the various contributions and interventions of the

DENR, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), local government units, CSOs, and other partner-agencies in biodiversity conservation.

“We are privileged to be part of the Summit, as we shared our initiatives to end illegal and destructive fishing in Tañon Strait, in partnership with LGUs, other CSOs and fishers’ groups,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines.

“We also used this opportunity to present the story of our ‘Ocean Heroes,’ lobby for the adoption of vessel monitoring mechanism to deter illegal fishing and monitor vessels in protected areas, and further strengthen our linkages with the DENR, BFAR, LGUs, and other CSOs ,” said Ramos.

Negros officials, DENR, CSOs convene for 1st NIRPAMS

Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos (left) shares with participants at the 1st NIRPAMS initiatives of Oceana to protect Tañon Strait. The Summit was hosted by the DENR Negros Island Region, led by Director Al Orolfo (middle), with DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio (right) as main guest and keynote speaker.

Atty. Roger Joseph ‘Rocky’ Guzman, Oceana legal and policy officer, installs a vessel monitoring mechanism on a fishing boat, assisted by staff members of Sagay Marine Reserve, in Negros Occidental.

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Oceana

Oceana

BFAR urged to craft sardine nat’l plan

Oceana Philippines is encouraging the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources (BFAR) to craft a national management plan for the sardine resources and fisheries in the country.

“The Philippines has been overexploiting its fisheries resources over several decades now, including sardines,” said Jimely Flores, marine scientist at Oceana Philippines.

“Sardines is a very important fishery resource for Filipinos, as it as one of the cheapest sources of protein. Sardines is also important to the ecosystems as it is one of the primary base of food for other bigger fishes like tuna,” added Flores.

Flores said Oceana is currently conducting researches and surveys on sardines to complement similar efforts of the BFAR, and its research arm the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Ecosystems Improve for Sustainable Fisheries (EcoFish) project of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The researches and surveys particularly look at the life history development of sardine species in the waters of Ticao-Burias Passages, Ragay Gulf and San Bernardino Strait and Visayan Sea. (Please read related story.)

“We’re looking at what BFAR and DOST have not done yet, then that’s where we will

come in to complement the data that are already present,” Flores said.

She said one of the things to be looked at is to have certain limits of fish sizes to be caught and regulate and modify fishing practices and gears.

“This is very urgent. Sardines are affected by environmental changes such as the regular El Niño and La Niña occurrences and now the climate changes due to anthropogenic causes and managing exploitation is one way of making them more resilient” she said.

Flores added that the incoming La Niña and other environmental events could lower the sardines production, as excessive rains would disrupt upwelling system and result to decrease production of planktons, the primary food of sardines.

She said sardines mature at 10 to 14 centimeters in length but Filipino scientists reported observations that they are

starting to spawn at smaller size.“This could be a sign of growth

overfishing - when marine organisms are harvested earlier before they could reproduce. When growth overfishing is occurring, fishes and other marine organisms, to sustain their population, had to mature at a faster pace, but way smaller in size,” Flores said.

She said that sardines are mainly for the processing industry such as canning, bottling, smoking and drying.. Local demand for the fish species continues to be high, as majority of Filipinos, regardless of class, popularly consume canned sardines, being the cheapest source of protein and meal with steamed rice.

Sardines production in the Philippines largely comes from Zamboanga, contributing more than 50% of the total harvest. (By Louise Maureen Simeon, Phil. Star; and Jimely

Flores, Oceana)

“Oceana lauds this effort by the Negros Island Region, under the leadership of DENR NIR Director Al Orolfo for bringing together key stakeholders and those in charge of protected areas in Negros to level off on various issues and come up with a resolution and action plan to ensure improved management and protection of these areas,” added Daniel Ocampo, Oceana campaigns director.

“We are also pleased that the participants are supportive of efforts to curtail illegal fishing in Tañon Strait and other marine protected areas through stricter enforcement and the adoption of vessel monitoring mechanism to track vessels transiting and docking in these areas,” said Ocampo.

The summit was also attended by Mayor Valente D. Yap of Bindoy, Mayor Edsel G. Enardecido of Ayungon, Mayor Araceli Somosa of Calatrava and Mayor Gerardo P. Valmayor, Jr. of San Carlos City. Also present were Atty. Wilfred Ramon M. Peñalosa, Negros Occidental provincial environment officer, who represented Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., and Manric Barillo, Negros Oriental provincial environment officer, representing Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

9

strengthen enforcement measures by conducting more seaborne patrols in Tañon Strait.

“Commercial fishers steal what the sea has allocated for our municipal fisherfolk. With our enforcement measures, we are sending a clear message that they are not allowed in Tañon Strait, being a national protected seascape,” noted Lendio.

He said that the TSPS PAO will conduct more information campaign this year to empower fishing communities.

The Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance Region 7 (CLEAR-7), headed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), also held a recent seaborne patrol with members of the Cebu and Negros media on board, documenting various illegal fishing practices in Tañon Strait.

Likewise, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 7 director Isabelo Montejo emphasized the importance of partnership among stakeholders to strengthen the protection of Tañon Strait.

“Tañon Strait is very diverse, and it is important that we protect it. With our partners, I can see that Tañon Strait is

properly managed and we have finally achieved our dream to have TSPS as one vital area that is really protected, especially our resident cetaceans. We should be active stewards of our fragile environment,” Montejo said.

As part of the event, simultaneous mangrove planting and coastal clean-up activities were spearheaded by the DENR also held in Badian, San Remegio and Toledo, all in Cebu; Calatrava, in Negros Oriental; and Guihulngan and Ayungon, both in Negros Oriental.

The event was also attended by Miss Earth England 2015 Katrina Kendall, and officials of civil society organizations such as Oceana and Rare.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 1234, declaring Tañon Strait as a national ‘protected seascape.’

The TSPS is governed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), and led by the DENR region 7 director.

PAMB members include the provincial, municipal and barangay local officials in the 42 cities and municipalities and 289 barangays, the adademe, local and international and CSOs, and fisherfolk organizations in Cebu, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. (Oceana)

End illegal fishing ... Continued from page 7

Oceana

She recalled that when she was scanning one of the job websites for NGOs, “I came across Oceana’s job opportunities. I hardly gave it a glance and browsed other job listings. Two months after, Danny told me Oceana was going to have an expedition for one of their campaigns and asked me if I was interested to join and help them? I said sure!”

“I was very happy to be given that opportunity because I wanted to go back to working for the environmental movement, particularly anything that had to do with the ocean,” added Maan.

“The thing that I enjoy most about Oceana is the opportunity to travel and meet new people, who are into the same advocacy. Where before the law and science of ocean conservation was esoteric to me, it is now as important and essential as air and water,” added Maan.

4 Visayan fishers ... Continued from page 5

Meet Oceana’s frontliners ... from page 12

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“Oceana is different from other organizations that I have worked with. They have precise goals and clear outcomes that they want to achieve in a given time frame. In short, Oceana is a practical organization. I also now have a new appreciation for the law, and how it helps or should help, if enforced properly,” she noted.

To date, Maan’s most memorable experience was organizing the “Ocean Heroes Award,” as preparations started early in October 2015, nine months before the event in June 2016.

“We disseminated posters, letters and nomination forms. I thought that it was a small event that would culminate in some conference hall in one of the hotels in Dumaguete or Cebu. Boy, was I wrong,” Maan said.

“As the months went by, there were major additional elements that were added to it,

organizing the judges, judging forms, organizing the nominees, cross-checking the data of each nominee, and finally, the invitations to over 100 guests, etc. Suffice it to say, I learned how to organize an environmental awards event,” she narrated.

“But the real gist of the activity was, it taught me to appreciate the work that I have with Oceana, as the awards served as a vehicle for me to see and recognize that there were people who were and are fighting for the preservation of our seas, the protection of our marine resources and the enforcement of our laws, and they did all this, with minimal resources, and often times, starting out with nothing!” Maan noted.

Indeed, our pristine oceans are worth protecting and fighting for!

Cases filed against violators of environmental and fishery laws are expected to be

resolved faster, as 40 Department of Justice (DOJ) special prosecutors, legal officers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and protected area park superintendents have completed a training on protected area law enforcement.

Supreme Court associate justice Diosdado Peralta, serving as main speaker, shared the theoretical and practical knowledge on the speedy disposition of environmental cases, including technical and remedial aspects of investigation and prosecution. Justice Peralta was a member of the committee that drafted the “Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases.”

“We were honored to have Justice Peralta, as his invaluable advice has put primacy on our continuing efforts to help hasten the judicial processes and resolution of cases filed against persons, groups and firms who committed illegal fishing activities and who violated environmental and fishery laws,” said Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines.

The training was participated by 18 DOJ special prosecutors, 15 lawyers from the DENR, eight protected area superintendents, and a dozen resource persons. It was held on June 1-3, 2016, in Cebu City.

The participants underwent a ‘refresher course’ on the major environmental and fishery laws in the country, like the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (NIPAS) Law, said Atty. Edward Lorenzo, Oceana legal and policy director.

The training was organized by Oceana, in partnership with the DOJ, DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), DENR, Tañon Strait Protected Seascape Protected Area Office (TSPS-PAO), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), United States

Department of Interior, US Agency for International Development, and University of Cebu College of Law.

Former Justice Secretary Leila De Lima issued a DOJ Order, on July 2, 2015, designating 10 special prosecutors in pursuant of Section 19 of the NIPAS Law, “to prosecute violators of laws, rules and regulations in protected areas.”

“With the training, it is hoped the prosecutors would hasten the determination of environmental cases, and give spirit to the sense of urgency embodied in the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases,” added Lorenzo.

“Right now, the special prosecutors are assigned at the DOJ central office. The DENR and the DOJ will determine the guidelines on how to operationalize the system. In any case, they can do preliminary investigations and prosecute when the information is filed,” Lorenzo said.

Hence, to date, the 10 special NIPAS prosecutors are assigned for all protected areas, including marine protected areas like the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), said Lorenzo.

The DOJ special NIPAS prosecutors are: Assistant State Prosecutors Gilmarie Fe S. Pacamarra, Liezel Aquiatan, Tofel G. Austria, Alejandro C. Daguiso, Katheryn May C. Penaco-Rojas, Ferdinand O. Fernandez, and Karla T. Cabel; and Prosecution Attorneys Charlie L. Guhit, Monica Liwag and Ma. Richell Q. Oliva.

Some of them are shown above with the other prosecutors who participated in the training, namely: Christine Marie Buencamino, Zenamar Justicia Caparros, Agnes Farida Arellano II, Cesar Angelo Chavez III, Aida Castillo, Jayvee Laurence Bandong, and Maica Guillermo. Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Severino H. Gaña, Jr. also graced the training.

DOJ, DENR officers train on environmental law

frontlines to ensure in the best way they know — so that we will all have a sustainable ocean to feed and nurture our children, and their children’s children,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, which conducted the “Ocean Heroes Award” in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The four Ocean Heroes awardees—one each from Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and from the women’s sector—were selected from 11 final nominees, who each received token prizes, consisting of fishing paraphernalia and equipment.

For their feat, the four eventual winners received P50,000 as prize, half of it in cash and the other half to finance their respective projects.

“Their efforts are paying off, as their respective communities are now relatively free of illegal fishing, and a model of good governance and partnership between their fisherfolk groups and their respective local government units,” said Ramos.

Fishery projectsWith their prize, the four awardees

said they will use it to further improve the livelihood projects of their respective fishers’ groups.

Pagal said he will use his prize money to add on the capital of their Anapog Fisherman Association’s ‘bigasan’ or rice retail store. He will also pursue a sea cucumber-clamshell-abalone seeding project.

Dayupay said she will engage in goat raising as a supplemental livelihood for their fellow Ayungon fisherfolk.

Quigay will buy fishing gears, fish aggregating devices, second-hand bancas for the San Carlos Fishermen’s Association, and floating buoys for their marine sanctuary in Sipaway Island.

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Oceana

complement with our thrust to provide modern agriculture infrastructure by expanding and improving the construction and rehabilitation of roads and the irrigation and establishing modern harvest and post-harvest facilities to minimize losses.

“We shall also conduct a nationwide soil analysis to determine areas most suitable for rice farming to optimize production with the use of effective soil rehabilitation and fertilization.

“We shall strictly enforce fisheries laws, particularly on illegal fishing, and promote aquaculture along river banks and in backyards.”

“We welcome President Duterte’s pronouncement on fisheries law enforcement as a priority. For a country that is dependent on the seas for its sustenance and livelihood, we certainly need to be more vigilant in protecting our marine resources,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice-president of Oceana Philippines.

Duterte ... Continued from page 1

Scientists explore ... Continued from page 1

4 Visayan fishers ... Continued from page 10

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Aquatic Resources (BFAR), University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, UP Los Baños School of Environmental Science and Management, and Oceana — who explored Benham Bank, on May 23 to May 31, 2016.

The first expedition was conducted in May 2014, with the team covering five stations in Benham Bank, and taking video footages and photographs.

Oceana joined the second expedition and provided technical assistance, includ-ing a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV), a baited remote underwater video system (BRUVS), and software that helped divers and scientists gather data, video footage and underwater photos of Benham Bank, covering 14 survey sites.

On both occasions, the expedition teams were on board M/V DA-BFAR research vessel.

The two expeditions were funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

A seamount, Benham Bank is 50 me-ters below sea level and the shallowest portion of Benham Rise, 250 kilometers east of Luzon.

Benham Rise, with an estimated area of 30 million hectares, gained an addition-al 13 million hectares of continental shelf

upon recognition by the United Nations’ Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in 2012.

The expedition team documented a vast mesophotic reef ecosystem – coral reefs found at depths of up to 150 meters (492 feet).

A special place“Collectively, among the decades of

experience studying the ocean that we have aboard the ship, no one has ever seen reefs like this. Benham is indeed a special place,” said Margot Stiles, Oceana’s director of science and strategy.

“Benham Bank holds tremendous poten-tial for discovering more unique species and outstanding samples of marine resources. Based on the huge success of this expedi-tion, and the inspiring collaboration among the partners, we foresee government and stakeholders working together to protect and sustainably manage this extraordinary natural heritage which is now part of our territory,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines.

“On behalf of Oceana, we are very privileged and thankful to be able to join the second Benham Bank expedition, led by program leader Dr. Cesar Villanoy, of UP Marine Science Institute, through the gener-ous funding provided DOST-PCAARRD” said Marianne.

“We also take our hats off to the entire crew of the M/V BFAR, led by Capt. Roy Dela

Cuesta, chief mate Crisaldo Paglinawan, and chief engineer Florencio Seranillo, who made our week-long journey and scientific survey of Benham Bank a safe and memorable one,” she added.

“We hope that data that is generated from this expedition will contribute to crafting a scientifically-based management plan that leads to a sustainable and well-managed Benham Rise,” she concluded. (By Yasmin Arquiza

and Candeze Mongaya, Oceana Philippines)

Despite recent improvements in fisheries law enforcement, destructive practices and the illegal exploitation of commercial fishers in municipal waters are still huge problems in the country, Ramos said.

In 2015, Republic Act 10654 was enacted, amending the previous RA 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. RA 10654 strengthens the protection and promotes the sustainability of Philippine fisheries, as it seeks to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the country.

“Strong political will to end the encroachment of commercial fishing vessels within municipal waters and protected areas will definitely arrest the decline of our fisheries stocks. Strengthened law enforcement results to increased incomes of the marginalized fisherfolk, who are the country’s poorest of the poor, and our coastal residents whose lives, income and culture are tied to our oceans,” Ramos added.

Oceana advocates for regular sea-borne patrols, inter-agency collaboration, apprehension of fishing vessels, enforcement of the vessel monitoring mechanism, and

filing of cases as ways forward in fighting illegal fishing in the country. The nationwide ban on modified Danish seine, known as hulbot-hulbot, and dynamite fishing should also be fully implemented.

Metamorphoseas ... Continued from page 2

Seascape and we will continue to share our efforts and strengthen our determination to make Tañon Strait totally free from illegal, destructive and commercial fishing operations and make it as the model for effective fisheries law enforcement and replicable in the entire country.

Finally, we feature our campaigns team — in the warm and jolly persons of Daniel ‘Danny’ Ocampo and Mary Ann ‘Maan’ Ibañez Mayo — who frequently interact with, feel and hear the pulse of our beloved small fishers, village leaders, and local government officials in our project sites, along Tañon Strait and elsewhere in the country.

Mabuhay!

Raunillo will buy office equipment and other needs to support their coastal management activities in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

“We hope the first Ocean Heroes Award will be conducted every year, and rest assured the DENR through the Biodiversity Management Bureau shall continue its support, as we jointly recognize remarkable individuals who consistently worked to protect the Tañon Strait against illegal fishing activities,” said DENR-BMB Director Mundita Lim, who served as keynote speaker during the awarding ceremonies.

“This event is an important gathering of stakeholders. The sustainability of Tañon Strait depends on the participation and involvement of stakeholders in terms of fisheries management and protection,” said DENR Region 7 director Isabelo Montejo.

Finally, the Ocean Heroes Award, said BFAR assistant director Benjamin Tabios, Jr., “strengthens the relationship pf government and civil society, such as Oceana, who are working together for the common good and well-being of Filipinos.” (Noel Reyes, Oceana)

Most, if not all, civil society organizations (CSOs), Oceana Philippines included,

have specific staff assigned “on the ground,” who hear and feel the pulse of the small fisherfolk and their families, and or barangay or village officials.

For Oceana, it is a lean two-person campaigns team, whose leader, Daniel ‘Danny’ Ocampo, feels re-energized whenever he takes a dip and photographs marine bounties in preferred dive spots, in Anilao, Batangas, or in Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental.

His ‘immersion partner’ Mary Ann ‘Maan” Ibañez Mayo is herself a ‘daughter and lover of the sea.’

A staunch environmental advocate, Danny used to work as a project manager for the then Sulu Fund for Marine Conservation Foundation (now Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation) in the establishment of a marine protected area in Tingloy, Batangas.

His love for the sea, particularly in several dive spots in nearby Anilao, has transformed him into an accomplished diver and underwater photographer. One of his many notable works, a green sea turtle is displayed prominently in the country’s main airport, at NAIA.

Thereafter, he worked as a campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, which further strengthened his resolve to be a quintessential environmentalist.

However, in 2014 when he heard from colleagues that Oceana is opening an office in the Philippines, he jumped into that opportunity, as he was very interested to join and work on an issue that he said is “close to my heart and has been my passion since I discovered snorkeling and scuba diving.”

Danny leads Oceana’s strategy development for campaigns and linkages with concerned government agencies, other CSOs, small fishers’ groups, and community officials to rid of illegal and commercial fishing and use of destructive fishing gears in Tañon Strait.

Danny and Maan took the lead in the successful conduct of the inaugural search for the ‘Ocean Heroes of Tañon Strait.’ The

contest will be held annually. The awarding was held on June 8, 2016, in conjunction with the ‘World Oceans Day.’

As luck would have it, Danny was at the right place at the right time when spotted and documented a ‘blue whale,’ which he later coined as ‘bughaw,’ during a trip in Dumaguete.

Danny said that what he enjoys most at Oceana is “how we frame our goals is the practicality in the way we approach conservation work. When we say save the oceans, feed the world you can’ be more honest than that. We need to save our environment because it is our life support system. When I say ‘our’ it means all life forms.”

“I also enjoy our engagements with people on the ground, who are actually fighting the good fight to enforce the law or implementing projects in their communities in their own little way, but contributes to the bigger effort to save our oceans,” continued Danny.

“In the next few years, I am hoping that Oceana will be at the forefront of Oceans issues in the Philippines. We are quite new in the country, but I know with our partners and our dedicated staff, we will continue to do great things for Philippine oceans and fisheries, particularly in stopping commercial fishing in municipal waters,” Danny said.

“My most memorable experience so far is proving some people wrong — that for them destroying our environment is acceptable. Diving in a degraded area that will be dumped and filled for commercial purposes, we found living seagrasses, some corals, juvenile fishes and a seahorse. So we use these images to show that instead of further destroying these degraded areas, in this day and age of climate change, we should actually be working to rehabilitate ecosystems and not destroy them further,” Danny noted.

He looks forward to more years with Oceana, as it pursues major challenges to protecting and conserving our oceans for the benefit of succeeding generations of Filipinos.

Inseparable partnerFor Danny’s partner, Maan said “joining

Oceana was a little bit surreal.”

This newsletter is published by Oceana Philippines, P.O. Box 255, UP Post Office University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101. Website: ph.oceana.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/ oceana.philippinesTwitter: @oceana_phInstagram: oceanaphilippines Editorial AdviserAtty. Gloria Estenzo RamosVice President, Oceana PhilippinesE-mail: gramos@oceana.org EditorNoel O. Reyes Editorial AssistantsCandeze MongayaCommunications Associate

Marianne Pan-SanianoMarine Scientist

Christine Dar-SicadaAssistant to the Vice-President

Design & LayoutVA Room

Oceana Philippines Officers Daniel OcampoCampaigns Director

Jimely FloresSenior Marine Scientist

Atty. Roger Joseph GuzmanLegal & Policy Officer

Oceana is the largest international non-government organization focused on ocean conservation, with offices in North, South and Central America, Europe and Asia and more than 600,000 followers all over the world. For further information, please visit www.oceana.org.

Meet Oceana’s frontliners

Mary Ann “Maan” Ibañez Mayo

(Continued on page 10)

Photo by Ferdz Decena

Daniel “Danny” Ocampo

Oceana/Danny Ocampo

Photo by Danny OcampoOceana

Oceana