August 7, 2026 | Municipal Hall, Oslob, Cebu
The Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF) spearheaded a Workshop on the Formulation of Marine Protected Area (MPA) Policies and Ordinances with User Fee Integration for the Hagdan and Mainit MPAs in Oslob, Cebu.
This activity, conducted under the Networking of MPAs thru Coastal LGUs Alliance Project (NMCLAP) and generously funded by the Unico Conservation Foundation, highlights Oslob’s commitment to sustainable coastal resource management and marine biodiversity conservation.
🔑 Key Pillars of the Workshop
- Legal & Governance Framework – Draft ordinances defined boundaries, zoning rules, prohibited acts, and enforcement structures, empowering the Bantay Dagat Task Force with clear authority and penalties.
- Financial Sustainability – A User Fee system was introduced, ensuring divers, snorkelers, and tourists contribute directly to conservation. Funds will support patrol boats, buoys, and ecological monitoring, creating a self-sustaining MPA trust fund.
- Community Engagement – Fisherfolk, barangay leaders, youth representatives, and tourism operators actively participated, shaping fee schedules, revenue-sharing models, and resolving resource-use conflicts.
The draft ordinance, “An Ordinance Providing for the Establishment and Management of Hagdan and Mainit Marine Protected Areas”, outlines zoning, regulatory measures, and tourism activity rates. Penalty and revenue-sharing schemes were agreed upon, with allocations to the Municipality (70%), Barangays (15%), and Fisherfolk Associations (15%).
Impact
Through this collaborative effort, Oslob ensures its MPAs will not remain “paper parks” but will become living sanctuaries backed by law, resources, and community stewardship. By balancing legal enforcement, sustainable finance, and local ownership, this initiative safeguards marine biodiversity, strengthens fisheries management, and supports eco‑tourism — a legacy for generations to come.
