SORSOGON CITY, DEC. 04 (PIA) -- Prieto Diaz town in Sorsogon province was cited the country’s grand winner for the national Search for the 2020 Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) Program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The local governmentof Prieto Diaz will be receive a total of P30,000,000.00 worth of livelihood projects. The winner will also receive a certificate of recognition from BFAR.  The awarding and turn over of prizes is yet to be determined by BFAR. 

Thirteen entries, all regional winners across the country, vied for the 2020 Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan award, wherein all of the entries submitted during the fourth quarter of 2020 and screened by the National Technical Search Committee of BFAR .

Among the five municipalities in the shortlist of nominees and were subjected to field validations inclduded Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon for Region 5; Libertad, Antique for Region 6; Hinunangan, Southern Leyte for Region 8; Mahinog, Camiguin for Region 10; and Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte for Region 13.

The top three national finalists were submitted  by the National Technical Search Committee of BFAR, concurred by the National Steering Committee, and confirmed by the Office of Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, William Dar were Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte and Libertad, Antique.

Hinunangan, Southern Leyte notched the second place and will receive P10,000,00.00 worth of livelihood projects; while Libertad, Antique won the third place with P10,000,000.00 worth of livelihood projects.

Prieto Diaz meanwhile also won the Best Mangrove Award for the 2021 Para El Mar Awards and Recognition. The awards program recognizes the efforts of the local government for the Mangove Ecosystem Protected Area in Sorsogon covering an area of 1,034 hectares.

The Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) program is a continuing program of the Deparment of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that aims to promote fisheries protection and conservation, sustainable coastal and sea management in the local government units along with the concerned stakeholders. (MBAtun-PIA5/Sorsogon)