For the past two decades, bantay dagat (sea patrol) groups in different villages in Oriental Mindoro province have been working with the local government to set up and guard marine protected areas (MPAs).

The sea patrols said rampant illegal fishing “not only kills the fish but also destroys the ecosystem." Seeing the urgency of the situation, housewives, fishermen, and other residents volunteered for sea patrols.

After winning multiple awards, MPAs have become a source of pride for the communities in the seaside towns.

Over two weeks, Marla Palileo and I traveled from Maasin, a village in the municipality of Bulalacao, to Harka Piloto in Calapan City. We stopped by Agsalin in Gloria, Ranzo in Pinamalayan, and Punta Ilag in San Teodoro to learn how fisherfolk and sea patrols sustained the efforts to preserve marine life through biodiversity-friendly enterprises.