Tagbilaran sets up 4th

MPA in Kinubkuban

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Feb 19 (PIA) – In yet another move to protect, conserve and manage its marine resources to ensure its sustainability and enjoyment of its inhabitants, Tagbilaran City has again earmarked some 6 hectares of its prime sea waters and declared it as a marine sanctuary, its fourth, to ensure a legacy to the city’s future constituents.

Kinubkuban Marine Reef, some 60,000 square meters of lush marine environment is the latest in the list of the city’s legislated marine protected areas (MPA) after Mabaw Reef, Booy and Manga MPA.

A project done in partnership with Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AFOS Foundation, the Kinubkuban Marine Reef Project is supported by City Ordinance C-317 series of 2020, which established the marine sanctuary, created a multi-sector management council, and defined the policies governing the management of the sanctuary.

During its inauguration and ribbon cutting ceremonies of the marine reserve off the shores of Barangay Taloto, City Mayor John Geesnell Yap along with BCCI President Reginald Ong and AFOS representatives turned over nylon ropes, buoys and markers to the management council, witnessed by fisherfolks and local officials.

BCCI President Ong said he is proud of the development as this is the only (BCCI) livelihood project that has survived the ravages of 2020.

The project was started in 2019 and was accordingly pushed for AFOS funding who has laid its eyes on funding similar initiatives in President Carlos P Garcia, according to Argeo Melissimo, BCCI official and AFOS representative during the inauguration.

AFOS accordingly picked one project to assist in every province in the region but ultimately included Kinubkuban among its projects programmed for sustainable fisheries, the second for Bohol.

For Councilor Dulce Glovasa who sponsored the ordinance, the marine sanctuary declaration will ensure the judicious and wise utilization, sustainable protection, conservation and management of the resources for the benefit of its fisherfoks and city constituents.

Along this, the ordinance establishes the means to enforce, control and regulate the activities in the marine reserve by fishers and other users.

From then henceforth, all fishing activities within the demarcated area in the ordinance is now illegal, even using the MPA as boat passage is outlawed.

Fishing and other activities within the 50 meter buffer zones are also restricted until five years from now, to allow the fish inside the sanctuary to get out to the buffer zones undisturbed.

Violations against the policies at Kinubkuban fetches for the offer P2500,00 or P2,000.00 if offender admits guilt before the appropriate cases are filed.

Fines collected from violations in the sanctuary go to the city government, 30% go to the MPA Trust Fund, 30% to the apprehending deputized authority making the apprehension while the remaining 15 % go to the Sangguniang Barangay, where the MPA sits. (rahchiu/PIA_7/Bohol)

TIES THAT BIND. Mayor John Geesnell Yap II and BCCI President Reginald Ong along with Argeo Melissimo, who represented AFOS Foundation accept the materials that would be used in establishing the demarcation buoys and marker, signages to be installed at the sanctuary guardhouse, during the ceremonial turn over leading to the inauguration and ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Kinubkuban Marine Reef Project February 18. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

GIVING IMPORTANCE TO LEGACY. City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II leads local officials in inaugurating yet another MPA to make sure that there is enough food for Tagbilaranon and the showcasing a legacy of good stewardship as well shared responsibility in taking care of its resources, conserving and properly managing such for the future. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)