As a response to the coral degradation in the marine areas of the province of Palawan, DMCI Power Corporation (DPC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Municipal Government of Narra for the implementation of the Marine Restoration: Coral Reef Propagation project covering the Bato-Bato, Puntod, Rasa, and Arena Reefs.
The move was approved on January 15, 2022 by the Sangguniang Bayan through Resolution 2022-4362 which authorized Acting Municipal Mayor Crispin O. Lumba to sign the MOA with the Municipal Fisheries and Acquatic Resources’ (MFAR) regional office headed by Mr. Noli Dieron.
The municipal government will assist and support the formulation, adoption and implementation of fisheries management plans and projects in the identified coastal reefs.
The project seeks to roll-out coral transplantation technology using asexually produced corals to improve productivity of coral resources for sustainable fisheries.
Barangays Bato-Bato, Calategas, and Panacan 2 were identified as restoration sites based on their suitability for restoration; availability of sufficient amount of coral fragments for transplanting; and their location within the marine protected area.
“The program will establish a total of 538 Coral Nursery Units and will transplant 30,158 coral fragments. These activities are expected to directly contribute to the protection of coastal communities by providing natural barriers, improvement of our marine ecosystem services, development of fishery resources, and enhancement of the underwater tourism industry,” said MFAR Head Noli Dieron.
The project’s work plan was developed by MFAR with the local communities and has been pilot-tested in major tourism and diving sites of Palawan including El Nido, Coron, and Taytay.