Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), recently shored up its partnership with the Municipality of Medina, Misamis Oriental through a sustainability assessment of its three-year-long marine protection, inspection, and conservation guardians program.
Misamis Oriental is recovering into its role as one of the Philippines’ prime dive sites following detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the a five-year budget of around P6.8M, MPIF is implementing the guardians program, which includes the deputization of local fishermen, training, equipment, and monthly allowances to serve as stewards of marine protection in the municipality.
They have the responsibility to conduct foot and seaborne patrols, and implement coastal clean-ups in all coastal barangays, among others.
“The MPIC Guardians Program in Medina kickstarted MPIF’s vision to create a network of partner sites that uphold solid marine protection and conservation practices in marine protected areas,” explained MPIF president Melody Del Rosario (shown in photo with Medina vice mayor Kim Michael P. Odchigue; Atty. Donn Kapunan; Medina mayor Donato N. Chan, and Benjie del Rosario).