Coron, Palawan—The local government of Coron and Malampaya Foundation (MFI) formalised a long-running partnership for programs such as marine biodiversity conservation, waste management, livelihood, enterprise development and disaster preparedness.

Cooperation between the local government and MFI for marine conservation since 2013 resulted to the legislation and establishment of 11,492 hectares of new marine protected areas (MPAs) in three barangays, namely, Bulalacao, Lajala and Marcilla. Moreover, essential MPA management components such as enforcement strengthening, rules and regulations implementation, waste management, reef monitoring, information campaigns, restocking, community-based reforestation and support to livelihoods are continuously being implemented to contribute to the success rate of the program.

Signatories to the memorandum of agreement were Coron municipal mayor Ajerico Baracosso, municipal agriculture officer Geronimo Gevela, MFI Trustee Belinda Racella and MFI Executive Director Karen Agabin.

MFI has been implementing social development programs in the municipality of Coron since 2007 and actively collaborating with different local government divisions.