Marine sanctuaries supported by Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) are proving that long-term, community-based conservation delivers measurable results. After more than a decade of collaboration, partner sites in Mindoro and Batangas have transformed into high-performing marine protected areas, earning top spots in the 2025 Para El Mar Awards.

The Ranzo Fish Sanctuary in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro topped this year’s Locally Managed Marine Protected Area category, while the Pulong Bato Fishery Refuge and Sanctuary in Isla Verde, Batangas City placed second. Punta Ilag Fish Sanctuary in San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro also received a special citation for effective protection protocols.

Since partnering with MFI in 2013, Ranzo Fish Sanctuary has steadily climbed the national rankings — from third place in 2019 to second in 2023, and now first place in 2025.

Pulong Bato’s rise tells a similar story. Since becoming an MFI partner in 2017, the sanctuary expanded from 1.7 hectares to 539 hectares in 2020, strengthening protection for the Verde Island Passage — regarded as the world’s “center of marine biodiversity.” Its expansion reflects how local governments and fisherfolk can align conservation goals with livelihood needs when given the right technical support.

MFI’s community-driven model combines technical assistance, capacity building, and funding support to help coastal sites implement science-based conservation. Local enforcers, fisherfolk, and barangay leaders receive training on monitoring coral cover, regulating fishing practices, and ensuring compliance with sanctuary rules.

“This recognition validates what we have always known — that communities are the best stewards of their marine resources,” said Prime Energy President and CEO Donnabel Kuizon Cruz. “When local governments, fisherfolk, and partners work together with shared commitment, the results speak for themselves: healthier reefs, more abundant fish stocks, and stronger coastal livelihoods.”

Established in 2005, MFI serves as the social development arm of the Malampaya joint venture led by Prime Energy, together with Prime Oil and Gas Inc., UC38 LLC, and the PNOC Exploration Corporation.

The foundation has worked with dozens of coastal communities in biodiversity hotspots nationwide, supporting marine rehabilitation efforts through research, enforcement, and education. Its sustained presence has helped local governments institutionalize conservation programs rather than rely solely on short-term projects.

The 2025 Para El Mar Awards reaffirm that locally managed marine areas — when backed by technical expertise and long-term collaboration — can achieve both ecological and economic results. MFI’s partner sanctuaries stand as living proof that reef recovery and community development can go hand in hand.

How can long-term community partnerships help sustain the Philippines’ marine resources?

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