Nature Tripping in Panglima Sugala

An Environmental Field Trip in Panglima Sugala town in Tawi-Tawi was recently completed with Mayor Nurbert Sahali himself and his wife Annabelle leading the group of 92 graduating biology students, teachers, and the principal from Bato-Bato National High School, and employees from the Local Government of Panglima Sugala, particularly those from the Municipal Fisheries Office.

The activity, facilitated by Barangay Chairman Nagdir Mantik, SB member Najir Abdurajan barangay officials and members of the Bantay Sanctuary, and the staff of the Fisheries for Improved Sustainable Harvest (FISH) Project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Nur Harun of the FISH Project in TAwi-Tawi shared that, "The Mayor through the local Municipal Fisheries Office coordinated with the FISH Project in setting and arranging for the briefing, knowledge enhancement and tour site at the Tondon Fish Sanctuary."

"The Local Government of Panglima Sugala adopted in its Municipal Development Plan an environmental protection and management as a priority concerns for his constituents," Harun said.

Guided by the opportunity spelled out in the plan, Mayor Sahali said he "believes that promotion and advocacy of his vision and plan should start with nurturing and exposure of the students and even teachers in actual field experiences."

"We found an exposure area in the established Tondon Fish Sanctuary where students and teachers could observe the science of coral reef, fish feeding, how improvement in habitat took effect, how the sanctuary is managed, why it was established, who is managing the sanctuary, when it was established," Harun explained.

During the learning tour, the FISH Project staff briefed students and teachers about do's and dont's in the fish sanctuary with emphasis that they should not step on the corals. Since masks, snorkels and fins were limited, students were grouped in tens.

Mayor Sahali briefed students and teachers about importance and benefits of establishing Fish Sanctuary. Further, he explained the purpose of the field trip is to enhance learning at school and in pursuit of environmental advocacy to promote fish sanctuary as potential tourism site. The Mayor also showed the Crown of Thorns and explained about its threat to the coral reef.

Earlier, Mayor Sahali issued a policy that the LGU supports the conduct of field trip for graduating science students of the Bato-Bato National High School during the annual science week celebration.

Bato-Bato National High School Principal Ms. Gloria Maquiso said, "The visit to Tondon Fish sanctuary together with the fourth year science students was the best place I have ever seen. The coral reefs are beautiful sights."

The Principal is hopeful that educational visit to a marine environment is done annually.

On the other hand, some students said, "When we fed school of fishes, we experienced fish foot spa for free with the colorful tropical fish. They are so tamed." Most however expressed that such was "our first experience so we shouted with joy" and "we learned that the crowns of thorns are a threat to the coral reefs."

USAID's Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest (FISH) project is helping fishers in the Philippines by assigning an independent team to asses the current fishing industry challenges and to recommend good fisheries management practices, Harun said, citing the project's description.

"Aside from managing fishing efforts, the project is providing for creative and innovative ways of harmonizing biodiversity conservation with increased fisheries production. FISH is establishing baseline information on fisheries and related resources as a basis for measuring impacts for project-influenced interventions, as well as to better understand resource dynamics and exploitation risks. Participatory planning and implementation are the fundamental strategies to ensure ownership and sustainability. The provision of expert coaching and guidance to the implementers is likewise a key approach in this project, particularly in introducing and establishing best practices in fisheries management," Harun said, quoting the FISH Project's information brief. (Frencie L. Carreon)