July 25–26, 2026 | Barangays Mainit and Hagdan, Oslob, Cebu
Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF) facilitated Barangay Assemblies in Mainit and Hagdan, Oslob, Cebu to present and consult with communities on the establishment of proposed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These activities were conducted under the Networking of MPAs thru Coastal LGUs Alliance Project (NMCLAP), generously funded by the Unico Conservation Foundation.
The assemblies gathered broad participation — 160 residents in Mainit and 133 residents in Hagdan, representing households, fisherfolk associations, and barangay officials. These consultations emphasized the ecological and socioeconomic importance of MPAs, including coral reef protection, biodiversity conservation, fisheries replenishment through the spillover effect, and long-term livelihood security.
In Barangay Mainit, the community agreed to designate 11.582 hectares out of the total 14.91 hectares as a Strict Protection Zone. Meanwhile, in Barangay Hagdan, residents committed to establishing 19.8363 hectares of core sanctuary from the full 29.72 hectares.
Both agreements strictly prohibit extractive and destructive activities within these core zones, permitting only scientific research, ecological monitoring, and conservation initiatives. This collective decision underscores the communities’ commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of their coastal resources.
The participatory process included open forums where fisherfolk raised concerns about fishing restrictions, sanctuary boundaries, and navigation routes. Adjustments were made to respect traditional fishing grounds while maintaining ecological integrity. In Hagdan, scientific assessments presented by CCEF reinforced the need for protection, showing 41% live coral cover and a fish biomass of 19 kg per 500 m², underscoring the area’s ecological value.
These assemblies strengthened community awareness, ownership, and collaboration between residents, local government, and CCEF. Importantly, they demonstrated that community support is the cornerstone of successful MPA establishment. By ensuring that residents were well-informed and actively engaged in the decision-making process, the initiative fostered trust, transparency, and shared responsibility.
The agreed core zones are expected to enhance coral reef resilience, increase fish biomass and biodiversity, and secure sustainable fisheries for present and future generations. By integrating science with local stewardship, the Barangay Assemblies in Mainit and Hagdan laid a strong foundation for the forthcoming MPA ordinances formulation (September–November 2026) and the long-term sustainability of Oslob’s coastal resources.
