Bohol marine sanctuary cited

Besides the tarsier, the world’s smallest monkey, seahorses also draw local and foreign tourists to Bohol.

In fact, the seahorse population in the Central Visayas province has lured even marine experts, who recently commended the marine sanctuary where this fascinating animal abounds.

The Handumonn/Libaong marine sanctuary in Jandayan Island, Getafe town has bested 169 other marine reserves in the country for being the Most Outstanding Marine Protected Area (MPA).

During the recent MPA recognition rites in Quezon City, the Marine Protected Areas Support Network (MSN) said the Handumon/Libaong marine sanctuary was recognized for promoting marine ecology protection and its sustainable conservation program.

Dr. Porfirio Alino, MSN coordinator, commended the determination of the local folk to become good stewards of the marine reserve.

“To a large extent, they somehow have shown that they have been consistently managing their MPA very well. They have community participation there, local government support… They really have the motivation to sustain the protection of the area despite meager resources,” Alino said.

The 50-hectare Handumon/Libaong marine sanctuary is part of a large barrier reef teeming with fish, seashells, and thick mangroves. It was established in 1995 and legalized via a municipal ordinance in 1998.

The second placer in this year’s awards was the Sagay marine reserve in Negros Occidental, and the third placer, the Twin Rocks fish sanctuary in Mabini, Batangas.

The other finalists were the MiSSTa marine protected area in Zamboanga del Sur; Iniban marine reserve in Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Harka Piloto Reef fish sanctuary in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental; Capandan fish sanctuary in Cortes, Surigao del Sur; Buluan Island marine sanctuary in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; and Agsalin fish sanctuary in Gloria, Mindoro Oriental.  – Katherine Adraneda