Sorsogon municipality judged 'best coastal community' by BFAR

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has declared the municipality of Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon province as best coastal community.

At the Laging Handa public briefing on Wednesday, BFAR chief information officer Nazzer Briguera said the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan 2020 (MMK) awarding ceremony was held in Pasay City on Tuesday.

“Ang naging grand winner ng MMK ay ito pong Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon. At sinundan po ito noong dalawang munisipyo, ito pong Libertad, Antique at Hinunangan, Leyte, bilang 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up,” he said.

(The grand winner of MMK is Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon. It is followed by Libertad, Antique, and Hinunangan, Leyte, as the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up.)

Prieto Diaz will receive P30 million worth of fisheries livelihood projects for winning the contest.

According to the BFAR, Prieto Diaz exhibited an exceptional participatory process in its law enforcement as it has achieved almost zero cases of illegal and destructive fishing since 2017.

Through its strengthened avenues for community participation, Prieto Diaz established high social acceptability for projects aimed at protecting and conserving its natural resources, it added.

MMK recognizes municipalities’ exemplary initiatives and accomplishments in coastal and fisheries resource management, and documents their best practices and strategies, according to BFAR.

The following are the criteria for the award:

• no illegal fishing;
• observance of closed fishing season;
• declared Marine Protected Areas;
• clean, coastal waters without any garbage or industrial effluence flowing to the sea;
• effective mangrove protection and rehabilitation program

—Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News