THE MUNICIPAL COUNcils of Looc and Lubang in Occidental Mindoro have approved a joint ordinance establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) in 10 sites of 14,485 hectares around their islands.

The ordinance makes the area the largest marine protected system in the entire Verde Island Passage Marine Biodiversity Corridor (VIPMBC), according to Rina Bernabe, communications coordinator of the Sulawesi Seascape Project of the Conservation International (CI) Philippines.

?The establishment of these marine protected areas represents a huge investment for the future of the millions of people and the coastal communities depending on the rich marine resources of the Verde Island Passage,? said Romeo Trono, CI country executive director.

?We are proud to have been part of this bold step taken by the people of Looc and Lubang,? he added.

?Center of the center?

Experts have recognized the corridor as the ?center of the center? of marine shorefish biodiversity in the world. It is composed of the stretch of water surrounded by the provinces of Batangas, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Romblon and Marinduque.

The enactment of the ordinance on March 24 was announced to residents and guests during the launching of the Philippine First Climate-Smart Marine Protected Area in the coastal village of Binacas in Lubang on April 7.

Present were Dr. Angel Alcala of CI, scientists, local officials and villagers.

Studies undertaken by the CI showed that the Looc-Lubang area is one of the areas with the greatest marine conservation potentials.

Reefs and shallows around the islands were found to have very high concentrations of fish larvae and eggs. This meant that protecting the areas is important in maintaining biodiversity and sustaining the fishery resources of the entire corridor.

The Looc-Lubang area also boasts of at least three turtle species, seven species of whales and dolphins, eight seagrass species, and a rich variety of commercially important fish species.

It hosts the corridor?s largest no-take zone (NTZ) at 1,150 ha, where all forms of extraction are banned. The remaining 13,335 ha are designated as fishery reserves, where only certain fishing methods and gears are allowed.

The MPAs are to be jointly managed by Looc and Lubang towns.

?After this establishment, their main concern is the enforcement of policies within and around the MPAs,? said Louella de Lara, the municipal planning and development coordinator of Looc.

Her counterpart in Lubang, Ray Morales, said ?the continued support and understanding of the locals and outside entities, especially on the technical aspect of the management of the MPAs, are likewise critical.?

The MPAs are expected to enhance the islands? tourism potential, since the NTZ is located in front of a stretch of excellent beaches and coral reefs.