PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan-- Palawan derived its name from the very shape of the island. It is shaped like an umbrella hence "Paragua" (Spanish) or "Pa-lao-you" (Chinese). It has a total area of 1,703,075 has. and 1,780 islands and islets.

Successful enforcement of the city's ban on compressor fishing (City Ordinance No. 267) was found to result in an over-all improvement in coral cover, including an increase in number, species and size of fish and other indicator species, such as the priced suno.This was the finding of a marine resource assessment (MRA) in the 234-hectare Manyukos Island Marine Sanctuary (MIMS) last August 24 in Purok Mangingisda, Barangay Buenavista, Puerto Princesa City. The over-all conditions of the seagrass and coral reef ecosystems of the MIMS were assessed and compared to data from a 2003 MRA. Members of the MRA team, led by the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Buenavista (SAMMABU) and assisted by the young fishermen of Buenavista, ELAC and student volunteers,found that the ban had relieved the threat of overfishing in the sanctuary.The nine species of seagrass in Buenavista remain intact but are showing signs of stress due to erosion from upland kaingin, construction, and pollution from a nearby fishpond of the Watchers Multi-purpose Cooperative, which continues to operate despite the lack of required permits.Meanwhile, an MRA done for the 174-hectare Tabang Cove Marine Sanctuary in Barangay. Sta. Cruz, also in the city, revealed that both corals and seagrass have been extensively damaged and overfished due to triple-net fishing and abalone gathering. Most of the massive corals have been either broken or overturned by fishermen collecting abalone from underneath the corals. The findings alarmed the Tabang Cove Sanctuary Management Board (SMB), which immediately passed a barangay ordinance that included the launching of a more aggressive information and education campaign to generate support from the adjacent barangays of Salvacion, Manalo and Tagburos, whose residents frequent the area for fishing. The SMBs of both sanctuaries are now expected to give higher priority to regular sanctuary monitoring after the MRA results were presented to them. Monitoring activities include the deployment of additional buoys and the construction of a guardhouse.

• In Memorandum Circular No. 129, Series of 2002, issued by the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, local chief executives and sanggunians were enjoined to enact local ordinances banning the use of compressor fishing as fishing apparatus in all fishing activities because of its hazardous effects which resulted to death and paralysis.
  



• Because compressor fishing allows fishermen to go down to depths of more than a hundred feet, improper ascents can result in decompression sickness or “bends”, the effects of which range from headaches and dizziness to paralysis and death. Compressors are also usuallly used in cyanide and dynamite fishing, both of which cause overfishing and the destruction of coral reefs.

Moreover; a light mist of saltwater spray cools my face, as the barka, a motorized outrigger, makes its way across the placid sea. Below the water surface, coral reefs are visible with the naked eye. The water is teeming with marine life, just waiting to be discovered by lucky scuba divers and snorkelers. We run parallel to a coast, covered in thick green jungle. The peak of St. Paul’s mountain rises high above the undisturbed beauty of the rainforest.

And because of the patience and urge of the community of Puerto Princesa, it is now the most "Cleanest and Greenest City in the Philippines". In addition to that, it is one the candidate for the new seven wonders of the world.

Acknowledgement: Ronald Asignacion

Researchers: Elvie Joy Saquilayan (Law Bullet) & Jeneen R. Garcia (Science Bullet)