PHOTO || JON ANDREW CABILES
Ni Ven Marck Botin
Ayon sa press release ng Marine Conversation Institute (MCI), binigyang-parangal sina Cresencio “Cris” Caranay Jr., Segundo “Seconds” Conales Jr., Jeffrey David, at Noel Bundal, na may kalakip na premyong nagkakahalaga ng 10,000 US Dollars para suportahan ang “conservation work” ng kanilang organisasyon.
“[A] team of rangers from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a 2017 Blue Park, in the Philippines earned the IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award,” pahayag ng MCI.
Anila, ito ay pinangunahan ng IUCN at ng IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, katuwang ang International Ranger Federation, Re: wild, Conservation Allies, Universal Ranger Support Alliance, IUCN US at WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, kung saan binigyang-parangal ang mga nabanggit na marine park rangers upang kilalanin ang kanilang “exceptional personal commitment and valor in the face of serious threats to safeguard a protected area”.
“This award belongs to all the men from the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Municipality of Cagayancillo who work with us to safeguard our country’s marine biodiversity,” pahayag ni award winner, Jeffrey David.
“I am so proud because even if we are isolated for most of the year in the middle of the Sulu Sea, we are not unseen and unappreciated; the international community recognizes our contributions to nature conservation,” dagdag ni Jeffrey.
Dagdag naman ng Marine Conservation Institute, “The rangers are responsible for enforcement and surveillance, both day and night, which can be dangerous due to weather, sea conditions, and illegal fishers. Their diligence and persistence, alongside their community outreach in Cagayancillo, have led to a steep decline in illegal activities in the park and have saved countless fish, turtles, and other wildlife.”
“I am so keenly aware of the personal sacrifices of the men who safeguard the Tubbataha Reefs, who are away from family and friends for long periods of time, missing birthdays, graduations, burials, and other significant occasions. To be recognized for their efforts makes all their hardships worthwhile. I am so proud of the marine park rangers of Tubbataha! Mabuhay kayo!” pahayag ni Angelique M. Songco, Protected Area Superintendent o mas kilalang ‘Mama Ranger’.
Ayon pa kay Songco, ang mga nabanggit na marine park rangers “are known among local communities for treating offenders with respect and participating in a government restorative justice program”. Aniya, nag-o-offer din ang mga ito ng “exceptional hospitality” sa mga bisita ‘during rough seas, offering supplies and acting as snorkeling guides’.
Sinabi rin ni Songco na ang mga naturang rangers ay nagkokolekta rin ng mga datos ‘to inform conservation management decisions’ at makibahagi sa kahalagahan ng pangangalaga ng Tubbataha Reefs sa pamamagitan ng ‘educational outreach initiatives’ nang sa gayon ay mapataas ang suportang lokal at mapaigting ang pangangala ng naturang marine park.
Pahayag naman ni Dr. Sarah Hameed, Director ng Blue Parks at Senior Scientist ng Marine Conservation Institute, “The Blue Parks team at Marine Conservation Institute is excited and proud to shine a light on Tubbataha Reefs rangers’ commitment to safeguarding marine wildlife.”
“We nominated these rangers for the International Ranger Award because we know what an important role they play in making Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park the exemplary Blue Park that it is,” dagdag ni Hameed.
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