Palawan's Siete Pecados named Blue Park Awardee by int'l organization for conservation efforts

A marine park in Coron, Palawan was recently recognized by the Marine Conservation Institute as a Blue Park Awardee for its outstanding marine biodiversity, thanks to the conservation efforts done in the area.

According to Martin Javier's report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, Siete Pecados Marine Park is 1.8 square kilometers wide and is part of the Calamianes Island Marine Protected Area Network.

It consists of seven limestone islands and finally became a Marine Protected Area in 2005.

"Noong 1998 po, dini-dinamita at cyanide lang po kaya po nagkaroon ng initiative 'yung community na maprotektahan ito," Park Manager Jose Mazo said.

"Puwede lang po dito is managed tourism activities. Then ang ibinalik po namin sa community, binigyan namin sila ng livelihood katulad nung sila po 'yung nagdadala ng mga turista dito, in which habang nagga-guwardiya sila, kumikita po sila," he said.

According to Jose, 20% of the marine park's income goes to the Coron local government, 20% goes to the barangay, and 60% is allotted for conservation efforts.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News