La Libertad, Negros Oriental – On August 1, 2024, twenty-six (26) Marine Protected Area (MPA) Managers and members of the BUGSAY Mangingisda chapters completed a two-day training on the MPA Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool (MEAT). This training aimed to introduce and apply MPA MEAT to three key MPAs in La Libertad: San Jose, North Poblacion, and South Poblacion. The program also focused on developing and refining the MPA Management Plans for these sanctuaries.

As part of Result Area 4 of the FISH Visayas Project, the training program seeks to establish model sites for the protection and rehabilitation of natural resources, serving as best practice examples for replication. Essentially, the MPA MEAT is used to benchmark and enhance the governance and management of MPAs within the project areas. The MPA MEAT evaluates governance across enforcement, implementation, and maintenance. It measures how well management actions achieve the goals and objectives of a protected area. Effectiveness is categorized into four levels: (1) Established, (2) Strengthened, (3) Sustained, and (4) Institutionalized, each with specific criteria and activities.

During the training, MPA Managers gained an in-depth understanding of the criteria, requirements, and scoring methods of the MPA MEAT. Additionally, an evaluation of the enforcement, implementation, and maintenance levels of the three MPAs was conducted with the support of the Negros Oriental Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) and the AFOS Foundation.

To date, the San Jose MPA, North Poblacion MPA, and South Poblacion MPA have each achieved Level 0 in the MEAT evaluation. This score is primarily due to the lack of essential requirements, such as a formal management plan. The training, however, provided a valuable opportunity for drafting and refining three-year MPA management plans to enhance the effective management of these areas. At the same time, the MPA Managers participated in a series of workshop sessions focused on identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), as well as developing the vision, mission, and goals (VMG), and creating essential elements and action plans for the MPA Management Plans.

Looking ahead, the MPA MEAT assessment results will establish a baseline for identifying targeted interventions to address each MPA’s specific needs and enhance their governance structures. A follow-up assessment using MPA MEAT will be conducted in the three La Libertad MPAs to evaluate their progress following the implementation of these interventions. Additionally, the management plans drafted through the training program will be finalized through the people’s organizations and the local government unit.

The successful execution of the training program was made possible by the collaboration of FISH Visayas Project Partners, including DCCCO Multipurpose Cooperative, LGU La Libertad, Negros Oriental Environment and Natural Resources Division, and the AFOS Foundation.

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The Training on MPA Marine Effectiveness Assessment Tool and Planning with MPA managers aspires to achieve Result Area 4: Resource Protection of the FISH Visayas Project.