Chevron's award-winning marine eco project opens research center

MANILA, Philippines - Advocacy in any marine conservation program requires dedication, patience and unyielding resolve. It takes months to effectively implement and years to gauge accomplishments.

As for Minantaw Reef, the accomplishments couldn’t have come any sooner.

The marine conservation effort initiated by Chevron Philippines Incorporated (CPI), in partnership with the Project Seahorse Foundation (PSF), has reached another milestone with the construction of a guard house and research center in the middle of the 214.6-hectare Minantaw Marine Park and Sanctuary (MMPS), here in Lapu-Lapu City.

This structure, which was completed in mid-September this year, serves as a watchtower and base camp for marine conservation pundits overseeing the protection of the marine life in the area.

MMPS straddles the Danajon Bank, a very rare double barrier reef formation and source of marine biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific region. MMPS is the first multi-use marine protected area in the country. It has a 50-hectare sanctuary or no-take protected zone.

Before the institution of this project, widespread illegal fishing in the area led to the demise of various marine lives and fishing livelihood of the people of Brgy. Caubian. Ironically, most of the illegal fishers during that time were from Caubian and other neighboring Barangays, raising major concerns from local officials.

“Our main concern here is to protect this vast expanse of ocean against rampant illegal fishing that leads to the destruction of marine life and livehood. This structure serves as a reminder that we are serious in our efforts to eliminate illegal fishing, and so far the results we‘re getting are very encouraging,” shared Teodulo Ybanez, chairman of the Minantaw Marine Park and Sanctuary Management Council.

Signs of life

After over just a year since the marine conservation project started, Minantaw Reef has shown improving health due to the presence of various marine life forms known as indicators.

Another proof of the project’s success is the reformation of most fishers from Caubian through the efforts of the United Fishers of Caubian (Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Caubian or NAMACA), a people’s organization formed to educate local fishers about correct practices in fishing and the protection of the sea.

“We hold basic mass orientation seminars to share the necessity of following proper ways in fishing. Because if we don’t, then who else would be adversely affected but us? So we instill the responsibility among our fellow fishers to follow correct practices and protect the sea because we owe our livelihood to it,” Dario Lumapas Jr., a former illegal fisher turned fish warden tasked to protect the area from other illegal fishers.

Gilberto Alcoser, NAMACA president, shares that the project is still far from over. “We may have reduced the number of illegal fishers from Caubian but we still have daily encounters with those coming from areas such as Jagoliao and Nasingin in Bohol. A consolidated effort from all nearby cities and communities is the best weapon to eradicate abusive fishing practices in the area and I personally think that it can be done.”

These initial triumphs of the project didn’t go unnoticed as the American Chamber Foundation Philippines Inc. honored the Caltex-Project Seahorse partnership for marine conservation with a “Most Promising CSR Award” given during the 2nd AmCham CSR Awards held recently.

Chevron, which is the marketer of Caltex-branded products, is gratified with the success of the MMPS model and its alignment to the corporate values of the company.