Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU enters inter-agency pact to establish first marine protected area in Ilocos Norte

By Ian Paul Villanueva

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., on Monday, August 10, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with partner local government units and government agencies to establish the Amianan Marine Protected Area Network (MPAN), a first for Ilocos Norte.

The network aims to safeguard local marine ecosystems, elevate local fisherfolk livelihoods, and strengthen inter-municipal cooperation within an area comprising nine existing locally managed marine protected areas in Pagudpud, Bangui, Burgos, and Pasuquin.

MMSU brings to the partnership its scholarly leadership, research capabilities, and technical expertise. More specifically, the university will assist in the assessment and long-term monitoring of coral reefs, seagrass beds, seaweeds, mangroves, and fishery resources within the MPAN.

Expressing the university’s commitment to the partnership, Dr. Manzano said, "We are happy to be a part of this initiative to ensure healthier marine life and ecosystems and to maintain sustainable fishing grounds for our future generations.”

“We at MMSU commit to bringing to this initiative the expertise of our faculty, students, and researchers, as well as our technologies. Whatever plans the partnership will have, MMSU will be there all the way,” he added.

Besides Dr. Manzano, other signatories included Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos; Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Atty. Ronnel Sopsop; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Remely Lachica; Philippine National Police Regional Maritime Unit Acting Chief PLtCol. Santos Baldovizo; and Philippine Coast Guard District - Northwestern Luzon Capt. Mark Larsen Mariano.

Leaders of the local governments where the Amianan MPAN is situated also signed the agreement, including Mayor Robert Aguinaldo of Pasuquin, Mayor Crescente Garcia of Burgos, Mayor Denton Lawrence Garvida of Bangui, and Mayor Rafael Ralph Benemerito II of Pagudpud.