September 3, 2026 | Oslob, Cebu
The Municipal Conference Hall of Oslob became the venue for a landmark workshop on the formulation of Marine Protected Area (MPA) policies and ordinances, conducted and implemented by the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF) under the Networking of MPAs thru Coastal LGUs Alliance Project (NMCLAP), generously funded by the Unico Conservation Foundation.
Welcome and Opening Messages
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer
Oslob Municipal Agriculturist Officer
The program opened with Oslob Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Eveth P. Yrauda and Municipal Agriculture Officer, Jacqualine L. Villagantol, who warmly welcomed participants and acknowledged the presence of Bonbon Oslob Fishermen Association (BOFA) officers, Barangay Bonbon officials, and representatives from the youth and women sectors. Both expressed gratitude to CCEF for guiding Oslob’s communities in strengthening their MPAs.
Sangguniang Bayan Councilor Hon. Jose Dodjie O. Abines delivered an inspirational message, reminding participants that the activity was not only about drafting the ordinance but also about building unity and shared responsibility. He encouraged active participation, saying: “Magtinabangay kita sa paghatag ug mga input alang sa ordinansa sa atong gipropose nga MPA, hinaut magkahiusa ta. Pasalamat usab ta sa CCEF sa ilang tabang ug suporta sa atong mga komunidad aron mapalig-on ang atong mga MPAs.”
Fishery Technician Jefferson Booc also recognized CCEF’s technical support, particularly in resurveying Gawi, Bangcogon, and Tan‑awan to update technical descriptions for MPA expansion.
MAO Fisheries Technician
NMCLAP Project Coordinator/CCEF CRM Officer
Facilitator Ranie Ibanez, NMCLAP Project Coordinator/CRM Officer, guided the workshop, stressing that the ordinance drafting process must be participatory, with inputs coming directly from the management bodies themselves. He emphasized that ordinances must be anchored on national laws such as RA 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code, as amended by RA 10654), RA 7160, and EO 533, ensuring legitimacy, consistency, and enforceability.
He explained that this participatory approach ensures that inputs from the management body are tailored to their actual needs and challenges, making the ordinance practical and community‑driven. Members of BOFA and Barangay Bonbon were run through the draft ordinance, allowing them to share inputs on zoning, enforcement, and management details.
The contents of the draft ordinance were presented and discussed with participants, covering:
- Declaration of Policy: Anchored on national laws (RA 7160, RA 8550, RA 7586, RA 9147, RA 9275, RA 9729, EO 533).
- Delineation: Core zone (21.99 ha) and buffer zone (21.23 ha), total 43.22 ha.
- Regulatory Measures: Core zone—no fishing/anchorage; buffer zone—controlled hook and line, aquaculture, research.
- Prohibited Acts: Illegal fishing, compressor diving, destructive gears, waste disposal, unregistered divers.
- Fines & Penalties: ₱2,500 per violation; confiscation of boats/gears; possible imprisonment.
- Penalty Sharing: 15% BOFA, 70% Municipality, 15% Bantay Dagat Task Force.
- Management & Supervision: BOFA designated as management body; committees for IEC, monitoring, livelihood, tourism, and law enforcement to be established.
- Environmental Fee: ₱100 per visitor, modeled after successful practices in Siquijor.
The formulation of the ordinance proceeded in a participatory manner, with members of BOFA and Barangay Bonbon actively sharing inputs on zoning, enforcement, and management details. They were run through the draft ordinance to ensure familiarity and ownership, strengthening accountability and compliance.
Objectives and Expected Outputs
The workshop outlined clear objectives and deliverables:
- Legal and Governance Framework: Draft municipal ordinances defining boundary coordinates, zoning rules, prohibited acts, penalties, and enforcement procedures.
- User Fee Policy & Financial Sustainability: Standardize fee schedules, design a dedicated trust fund, and establish revenue‑sharing mechanisms among LGU, barangays, and patrol operations.
- Resolve Resource‑Use Conflicts: Address community concerns on fishing rights, navigation routes, and tourism access while fostering local ownership.
Expected outputs included:
- Draft municipal ordinance for the establishment and management of the Bonbon MPA.
- Established MPA Management Council with defined organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities.
- Draft environmental/user fee ordinance with standardized fee schedules and trust fund guidelines.
- Stakeholder‑validated policies incorporating community inputs on resource use, enforcement, and tourism management.
- A comprehensive governance and sustainable financing framework ready for review and enactment by the Sangguniang Bayan.
Community Voices
Community members expressed heartfelt reflections that underscored the urgency and hope behind the ordinance:
CHARINA R. OLIS, BOFA Secretary: “Thank you Sir and your team, because from the start of planning you guided us, until we reached the stage of having a sanctuary in our barangay. And now, you even helped us in crafting the ordinance where many national laws are attached, so we are assured we will not be neglected or left behind. With these laws supporting our ordinance, we feel confident to lead and manage the MPA program we will bring forward in our barangay.”
RYAN C. VALLE, Barangay Councilor of Bonbon: “This proposal (MPA establishment) has been around for a long time, and I was one of those who opposed it before. But I realized that fish can really run out. We now have to go farther just to catch a small amount, unlike before when one drop of the net was enough. That’s why I thought we really need to establish a sanctuary, so fish will have a place to spawn. We are grateful to CCEF for helping us.”
JOSE NOEL ROMANILLO, BOFA Treasurer: “My hope is that our resources will be replenished, because if we don’t refill them, fishing will eventually exhaust everything and we will have nothing left for tomorrow. It is better to have a sanctuary. With your guidance and encouragement, our determination has grown stronger to sustain this for our youth and future generations, so they will still have fishing grounds and even a potential tourism attraction.”
DANILO M. DEVILLERES, JR., Barangay Kagawad: “In the past, when we went spearfishing, we could easily catch fish. Wherever you looked, there were fish. Compared to now, it is very different—you have to swim far before you can catch one. That’s why I dream that we can establish a sanctuary, because it is where fish can spawn and multiply. They are not fenced in, they will spill over, and future generations will benefit. We are very thankful to CCEF because there is a big chance that this sanctuary will be realized.”
Moving Forward
The Barangay Council of Bonbon, together with BOFA, committed to pass a resolution requesting the Sangguniang Bayan of Oslob and MFARMC to enact the municipal ordinance. This resolution affirms their readiness to collaborate with LGU Oslob, national agencies, CCEF, and stakeholders in implementation, monitoring, enforcement, and education.
Participants also agreed to attend the MFARMC meeting on September 4, 2026, to secure endorsement of the ordinance for Bonbon, Hagdan, and Mainit MPAs. This unified framework signals a stronger future for Oslob’s coastal communities—anchored on law, strengthened by collaboration, and sustained by community ownership.
