August, 13 2024

Ambassador Véron’s visit to Occidental Mindoro, from July 8-11, highlighted the critical work undertaken by the EU to support the protection of the province’s precious environment. One such initiative is the support to Biodiversity Conservation and the Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN or BCAMP. In the municipality of Sablayan, Ambassador Véron, and his team met with the management staff of Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park, a protected area that is home to the Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), a species of buffalo found only on the island of Mindoro. Implemented by the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, BCAMP’s initiatives also involve supporting the creation of alternative livelihoods for communities in the protected areas, such as the Communal Agroforestry sites that Ambassador Véron visited in Mts. Iglit-Baco.

Supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities is key to helping protect the environment in Mindoro. This is also the case for fisherfolk, who are being assisted by the MSSETB Project, locally known as Project Buhay. During his visit to Sablayan, Ambassador Véron met with the women’s groups supported by Project Buhay, such as the Samahang Mangingisdang Kababaihan (SAMAKA) Producers' Cooperative in Sablayan, the Pinagpalang Mangingisda ng San Nicolas Fisherfolk Association (PMSNFA), and the Ligaya Flying Fish Catchers and Workers Association (LFFCWA). These associations are receiving support to help them enhance sustainable fishing practices, improve the quality of fish catch, upgrade cold-chain facilities, and introduce investment to Occidental Mindoro. The objective is to increase incomes, promote gender equity,  generate alternative livelihood opportunities, and ultimately increase the resilience of Mindoro’s coastal communities, all while preserving the island’s natural resources for generations to come.

Before their return to Manila, the EU delegation attended the official turnover ceremony of oil spill containment booms organized through Project Buhay. This initiative comes after a devastating oil spill occurred on the other side of Mindoro Island in February 2023, threatening the Verde Island Passage and the coastal communities that depend on its rich waters. “Twenty years is the amount of time that WWF-Philippines has been working to safeguard existing biodiversity on land and sea in Mindoro Occidental” declares WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio. “Our work continues with the Sustainable Tuna Program because Mindoro is nationally and globally significant. Mindoro Strait is a tuna highway and spawning area.” The strait, fronting much of the province’s municipalities, is home to a lively marine ecosystem that supports both local and national economies. It is also home to the Apo Reef Natural Park, the world's second-largest contiguous coral reef system famous for its marine biodiversity. 
 
The booms will be managed by the Apo Reef Natural Park Protected Area Management Office (ARNP- PAMO) and the local government unit of Sablayan. This is part of the concerted efforts to protect ARNP and enhance the disaster-preparedness of the province. A single span of the containment booms will be able to hold up to two large-sized fire trucks' worth of oil, giving emergency response authorities enough time to remove it and avoid damage to ecosystems. 

The handover ceremony was hosted by the government of Sablayan and was attended by local government leaders, representatives from the Office of the Governor of Occidental Mindoro, Protected Area Superintendent of the Apo Reef Natural Park Krystal Dane Villanada, Congressman Leody Tarriela of the House of Representatives, WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio, Project Buhay Manager Melody Melo-Rijk, WWF- Philippines Occidental Mindoro Site Manager David David, Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council Chairman Ryan Acosta, Occidental Mindoro Federation of Tuna Fishers Association chairwoman, Conchita Roldan, and other community leaders. 

The visit commemorates the 60th anniversary of PH-EU relations, highlighting the progress in the partnership between the Philippines and the European Union, specifically on the island of Mindoro, where the joint work between the EU, WWF-Philippines, and Filipino authorities focuses on environmental conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and community resilience, to secure a better future for Mindoro and its communities. 

This material was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of WWF-Philippines and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.


For more information, please contact:

Melody Melo-Rijk, Project Manager, 
Mindoro Strait Sustainable and Equitable Tuna for Bankability (MSSETB)/Project Buhay
mmelorijk@wwf.org.ph

Jonah Kayguan, Integrated Marketing and Communications Specialist, 
Mindoro Strait Sustainable and Equitable Tuna for Bankability (MSSETB)/Project Buhay
jkayguan@wwf.org.ph

Thelma Gecolea, Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines
Thelma.GECOLEA@eeas.europa.eu