Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat—Several members of the Kalamansig Marine Protected Area Network (KMPAN) recently convened to enhance conservation initiatives and tackle pressing concerns within the marine network. The network has successfully progressed from a strengthened phase to a sustained phase, demonstrating stability through strong governance, consistent enforcement, and continuous ecological monitoring.
During KMPAN’s first-quarter council meeting on February 5, 2025, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Kalamansig led discussions on this year’s Road Map, which outlines key priorities, actions, and timelines for various initiatives. The council also deliberated on monitoring and enforcement efforts, with support from the Philippine Maritime Group and Philippine Coast Guard, to address major environmental concerns. These include coastal marine litter, oil spill remnants from small-scale fishermen, and the increasing number of tourists, with measures being explored to prevent pollution in the area.
Furthermore, joint monitoring activities will be conducted with Bantay Dagat and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPAT) in areas affected by the crown-of-thorns starfish infestation. The evaluation of these areas will guide the development of extraction measures to mitigate the impact of this coral-destroying species.
In addition to enforcement measures, the council discussed various strategies to enhance marine conservation. These include strengthening information campaigns among barangays on the ridge-to-reef approach, providing SCUBA diving training to improve coastal and marine ecosystem monitoring, crafting a sustainable financing strategy, and developing KMPAN’s project procurement management plan.
The council remains committed to safeguarding the marine ecosystem and ensuring the sustainable use of coastal resources. With the continued collaboration of local stakeholders and government agencies, KMPAN aims to uphold its conservation goals while addressing emerging challenges in marine protection.
