04-18-2008 -

The City of Danao in Cebu inaugurated its P 1.4 million guardhouse at the Danao City Marine Sanctuary in Barangay Guinsay on April 10, 2008, in ceremonies graced by the United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney.

The event was marked by a beach clean-up activity participated in by the Ambassador and Daniel Moore, Chief of the Office of Energy and Environment of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In brief remarks during the occasion, Ambassador Kenney lauded the city’s commitment to environmental conservation, noting that Danao City is a good example to other local government units.

The 39.72-hectare Danao City Marine Sanctuary straddles Barangays Guinsay and Taytay. It is managed by a multi-sectoral group with representatives from both barangays, with the City LGU leading the management team.

With technical assistance from USAID’s Philippine Environmental Governance 2 Project (EcoGov2), Danao City formulated its 10-year Fisheries Management Plan in 2003-2004. The Plan has provided the environment within which protection and conservation of the city’s municipal waters, part of the species-rich Camotes Sea, could flourish. Budget allocations for coastal management for the period 2005-2008, including the establishment of the guardhouse, has reached P 6 million.

The Bantay Dagat Task Force is guarding the marine sanctuary, with support from the Danao City Expanded Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance, an enforcement group that includes the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army’s 78 th Infantry Batallion, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

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