The project Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS) sets the stage for the rollout of the project in Region 1 next year during a series of orientation and stakeholder consultations held in La Union and Pangasinan, Philippines from 3 to 5 December 2024.
The ASEAN ENMAPS Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme through the funding of the Global Environment Facility with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity as the executing agency, aims to enhance the management of marine protected area (MPA) networks in large marine ecosystems across Southeast Asia. It builds on national initiatives to conserve biodiversity; implement integrated coastal management, marine spatial planning, and ecosystem approach to fisheries management; and expand marine corridor protection, ultimately contributing to sustainable fisheries and other ecosystem services.
In Region 1, consultations focused on two key pilot sites: the Agoo-Damortis Protected Landscape and Seascape (ADPLS) and the Bani-Bolinao-Burgos-Infanta-Dasol-Agno Marine Protected Area Network (BBBIDA MPAN). These areas are critical hubs of marine biodiversity and vital to local livelihoods, making their inclusion in the ASEAN ENMAPS project a priority.
During the consultations, key stakeholders were engaged to align on the project’s goals, activities, and timelines. Meetings were conducted with representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region I, including Atty. Zoe S. Gacod-Ofilas, Atty. Jonathan T. Bansingan, Eng. Marsan Buquing, and Engr. Joel Laoad. Discussions centred on ensuring compliance with NCIP regulations, such as obtaining Certificates of Non-Overlap (CNO) or Certification Precondition (CP) and fostering inclusive participation of Indigenous Peoples in project activities.
The ASEAN ENMAPS team also met with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region I, represented by Regional Director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan, to discuss the co-management of the BBBIDA MPAN. This collaboration aims to strengthen the network’s governance, enhance habitat assessments, and promote capacity-building initiatives to address biodiversity threats while ensuring the inclusion of marginalised groups such as women and local fisherfolk.
Additionally, a meeting with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 1 Office and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of La Union sought to align project activities with existing DENR programs. Discussions covered the scientific basis for MPA network design, threats to marine ecosystems, and the potential for resource-sharing and synergies in implementing site-specific activities.
The ASEAN ENMAPS Project’s engagement in Region 1 underscores its commitment to fostering inclusive and science-driven marine conservation. By uniting local stakeholders, government agencies, and local communities in a shared vision for biodiversity protection, the project is poised to create transformative impacts that extend beyond the pilot sites. As the initiative moves toward full implementation next year, it brings renewed hope for sustainable fisheries, resilient ecosystems, and empowered coastal communities across the ASEAN region.