CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- The USAID Fish Right Program and Path Foundation Philippines Inc. organized the PAGSARAYEN, a learning event for the promotion of nature conservation and responsible fishing conducted in the province of Palawan.

The Pagsarayen event with its theme “Celebrating Calamianes Journey Towards Sustainable Fisheries” aims to share with concerned citizens the knowledge about sustainable fisheries management that can be applied by different municipalities in the preservation of their coastal resources.

Some of the things shared in this work are Right Sizing Eco-tourism, sustainable landscape, conservation enterprise, ecotourism and responsible seafood sourcing.

According to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Mimaropa Regional Director Emmanuel H. Asis “Sustainable fishing practices can be promoted in the region while protecting the natural resources of the sea.”

Through this event, the participants were able to have site tours around Siete Pecados Marine Protected Area (MPA), Balisungan MPA-Women Managed Area, and Seaweed farm in Barangay Tagumpay, Coron, Palawan, with convocations with environmental advocates therein. It highlighted the best practices and knowledge management tools, and sustainable fisheries management in the Calamianes for LGUs and other stakeholders.

The event was attended by Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro Mayor Dante C. Esteban, Looc, Occidental Mindoro Mayor Marlon V. Dela Torre, Culion Mayor Virginia De Vera; BFAR Mimaropa RD Emmanuel Asis, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Associate Secretary Associate Secretary Lilian De Leon, and Palawan Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Romeo Cabungcal, along with community environmental leaders and supporters, among others.

The word ‘Pagsarayen’ comes from the word of the natives in Calamian Tagbanua which means “journey”. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)