With the culmination of the second Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) The Search for the Country’s Outstanding Coastal Community, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) is now accepting nominations for the third season of MMK.
An annual program by the DA through the BFAR, MMK gives recognition and incentives to outstanding coastal communities for their efforts and contributions to sustainable resources/fisheries management.
The winners are assessed based on five criteria: (1) No Illegal Fishing, (2) Observance of off-fishing season, (3) Declaration of marine protected areas, (4) Clean, coastal waters without any garbage or industrial effluence flowing to the sea, and (5) Effective mangrove protection and rehabilitation program.
The Search and Evaluation process starts at the regional level and ends at the national level. Interested municipalities must submit their entry at DA-BFAR’s respective regional offices. The municipality that tops the regional selection will advance at the national level.
The Grand Prize winner will receive Php30 million worth of fisheries livelihood projects; the First Runner-Up will get Php18 million worth of fisheries livelihood projects; and the Second Runner-Up will receive Php10 million worth of fisheries livelihood projects.
MMK 2017 HIGHLIGHTS
Laguindingan was awarded the Grand Prize in the 2017 Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK). On 5-April-2018, President Rodrigo Duterte together with Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol conferred the MMK awards on Laguindingan and four other winners during the Awarding of Outstanding Farmers, Fisherfolk and Coastal Communities at the Malacañan Palace.
“The Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan program promotes fisheries protection and conservation, highlights the value of sustainable management of fisheries and aquatic resources, and encourages stakeholders’ engagement in guarding our seas,” DA Undersecretary and concurrent BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona said.
Laguindingan’s success is mainly rooted in the local government’s strong will to protect not only their aquatic resources but also the livelihoods of the people. The establishment of a 50-hectare man-made mangrove forest ensured alternative livelihoods, aside from serving as a fortress against typhoons. The municipality’s structured facilities in Ecological Solid Waste Management enabled most barangays to manage their own solid waste.
Aside from Laguindingan, four other exceptional coastal municipalities were awarded for their various efforts in resource conservation and management. Palompon, Leyte was named first runner up while Claveria, Cagayan bagged the second runner-up award. Last year’s grand prize winner, Cortes, Surigao Del Sur, was inducted into the MMK Hall of Fame for consistently being an outstanding coastal community. The municipality of Calatagan, Batangas was given a special award as a national finalist.
Laguindingan and Cortes will each receive 30 million worth of fisheries livelihood projects. Palompon and Claveria will get 18 million and 10 million worth of fisheries livelihood projects.
