Mayor Basilio Vidad said the program was launched for the first time in the coastal barangay of Tarakan to raise awareness among stakeholders toward environmental protection and preservation, help secure the Marine Protected Area (MPA), reopen seas for small fishers , appreciate resources in the mangrove areas and seas, and reassess livelihood and tourism potentials in the municipality.
Vidad added that Dinas, a coastal municipality of second district, is endowed with a number of marine resources. “The waters around are home to different species of fish and corals,” he declared.
Fishing is the major source of livelihood of the people in the municipality.
“We need to protect and preserve these resources thus, the LGU and other stakeholders collaborated for the implementation of the coastal-based resources management through the establishment and maintenance of MPA,” Vidad explained.
Vidad said during his first term as mayor in 1988, he established fish sanctuary with the assistance of MAO to address problem of dwindling fish catch in the area. Such a program was sustained until he became a member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board), and is now being continued in his fourth term as municipal mayor.
The group was toured to the marine sanctuaries including the awesome and beautiful bat sanctuary, which lasted for about three hours to remind them of the richness of the town’s diverse marine resources.
“With this project, the stakeholders will help the municipal government in intensifying its campaign for protecting and preserving marine resources in the area,” Vidad said.
“I wish that this project will be sustained and be supported by all stakeholders even after my term of office,” the mayor urged.
