kaban galing - front cover - galing pook

22 MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL
Sense of Ownership, Source of Pride
Misamis Occidental Aquamarine
Development and Protection Program
THE people of Misamis Occidental province saw a potential disaster
unfolding before their eyes: the decline of aquamarine-based products
was becoming more and more evident. Overfishing and illegal fishing
were putting tremendous pressure on the fragile ecological balance in
the province’s marine resources. If left unchecked, environmental
destruction would leave the beautiful waters of Panguil Bay incapable
of sustaining itself, and providing sustenance and livelihood for the
coastal population. Disastrous for a community that relies heavily on the
sea.
Luckily for its people, the province wasted no time in launching the
Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Development and Protection Program.
(MOADPP) This flagship program is a direct result of its desire to
address the problems of dwindling marine resources, absence of reliable
income, overfishing and destruction of the environment. The program is
currently at the heart of the coastal resource management program that
protects a swath of coastal area of around 167 square kilometers.
Ecotourism to the Rescue
In order to implement the program, the province tapped the resources
of both government and non-government organizations, as well as the
private sector. Aside from tapping local sources, it also brought in funding
from foreign sources. Among these were the Philippines-Australia Local
Sustainability Program (PALS), and the Philippines-Australia Community
Assistance Program (PACAP). Apart from these, the program generates
its own funds through ecotourism, primarily through the Misamis
Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP), which serves as the anchor
facility. The MOAP sits on an area of approximately 200 hectares and
82