Tubbataha Mg’t. Office conducts IEC in San Jose dB

Two personnel from the Tubbataha Management Office conducted information and education campaign in selected schools and brangays in the Municipality of San Jose de Buenavista.

This initiative is conducted to increase awareness on the importance of the marine environment. 

The advocacy activity of the TMO lasted for four days. They conducted lectures and forums with students of Maybato North Elementary School, Evelio B. Javier Primary School in Brgy. Maybato Sur, Antique National School and Delegate Angel Salazar Memorial School, and with fisherfolks of Brgy. Maybato North and Brgy. Maybato Sur.

TMO implements the policies and regulations created by the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board, and is in-charge of the day-to-day operations of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is 130 kilometers southwest of the Municipality of Cagayancillo, Province of Palawan and lies within the Cagayan Ridge. The name “Tubbataha” came from the Samal, the seafaring people from Sulu, and means “a long reef exposed at low tide.”

According to the first scientific research in Tubbataha in 1982 conducted by the Natural Resources Management Center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the University of the Philippines, destructive fishing methods were causing damage to Tubbataha. (sjdb_mio)