By Rowena Cruz Tagkawayan Mayor Carlo Eleazar receives the top prize in the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) CALABARZON'...
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| Tagkawayan Mayor Carlo Eleazar receives the top prize in the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) CALABARZON's Search for Outstanding Coastal Municipality during the agency's 77th anniversary celebration. (Photo from Mayor Carlo Eleazar) |
TAGKAWAYAN, Quezon — The municipality of Tagkawayan in Quezon province was recently awarded the top prize in the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) CALABARZON's Search for Outstanding Coastal Municipality. The award, which includes a 1 million peso cash prize, recognizes the town's exceptional efforts in maintaining clean and abundant oceans in 2021 and 2022 through sustainable fishing practices, community-led coastal cleanups, and the establishment of marine protected areas.
BFAR CALABARZON Regional Director Sammy Malvas presented the award to Tagkawayan Mayor Carlo Eleazar during a ceremony commemorating the agency's 77th anniversary. Municipal Agriculturist Juanito Panganiban and MMK Technical Working Group member Cleudith Gutierrez joined the mayor in receiving the honor.
In response, Mayor Eleazar congratulated and lauded BFAR CALABARZON for their initiative, highlighting the importance of recognizing and incentivizing local governments' efforts in marine conservation. He stated, "This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our community. We are grateful for the support of BFAR CALABARZON in our efforts to protect our marine resources. This recognition will further inspire us to continue our efforts in preserving our oceans for future generations."
Mayor Eleazar further emphasized the town's commitment to sustainable practices, adding, "We believe that sustainable fishing practices are essential for the long-term health of our oceans and the well-being of our coastal communities. We will continue to work with our fishermen and other stakeholders to ensure that our marine resources are managed responsibly."
Tagkawayan's achievement serves as a model for other communities seeking to balance environmental protection with economic development. The cash prize will be used to further enhance the town's coastal management programs, including the expansion of marine protected areas, the provision of livelihood support for fishermen, and the implementation of educational campaigns on sustainable fishing practices.
The Search for Outstanding Coastal Municipality is an annual competition organized by BFAR CALABARZON to recognize and reward local government units that have demonstrated exemplary performance in coastal resource management. The competition aims to promote sustainable fishing practices, protect marine biodiversity, and enhance the livelihood of coastal communities. Tagkawayan's victory is a testament to the effectiveness of their holistic approach to coastal management, which integrates environmental conservation, economic development, and community engagement.
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