Top diving spot Puerto Galera is regarded by conservationists as the “center of the center of marine biodiversity” with its remarkable aquatic life in the heart of the world’s “Coral Triangle” in Southeast Asia.
Its bay is sanctuary to 152 coral species, over 180 species of nudibranches, and 19 mangrove species, as well as nine out of the world’s 16 seagrass species. It was named in 1973 as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve and inducted in 2005 into the Most Beautiful Bays of the World Club.
In a bid to preserve and protect its resources, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and the Municipal Government of Puerto Galera recently launched its Marine Protection, Inspection, and Conservation (MPIC) Guardians Program as part of the conglomerate’s decade-old private-public partnership.
Nine fishermen and Bantay Dagat members from the local government unit committed themselves to protecting, inspecting, and conserving both marine and coastal life under Shore It Up, the environmental flagship program of MPIC.
The newly inducted MPIC Guardians underwent two phases of training sessions in preparation for their environmental deputization, which included an open water scuba diving certification.
Based on the memorandum of understanding with Puerto Galera, Metro Pacific has committed P1.5 million over three years to provide the local Bantay Dagat with the technical know-how through scuba diving training, uniforms, and equipment such as global positioning system (GPS) trackers, GoPro Hero 7s, two-way radios, and search lights, to better protect the town’s aquatic resources.
“The Marine Protection, Inspection, and Conservation Guardians of Puerto Galera will pioneer the alliance of Marine Guardians patrolling the Verde Island Passage with other key areas like Marinduque, Tingloy, and Mabini in Batangas,” says Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc. president Melody del Rosario, who presided over the launch.
She added that the 10-year-old Shore It Up program looks forward to more years of championing nature, anchored on a shared vision in the pursuit of environmental sustainability.
Puerto Galera vice mayor Marlon Lopez expressed its thanks to the conglomerate chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan for partnering with the municipal government in this environmental endeavor.