NGO announces winners of its first Ocean Heroes Award

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=8&rid=893896
• Friday, June 10, 2016

(PNA), LAP/EB/PJN

CEBU CITY, June 10 (PNA) -- Oceana, a non-government organization, has announced the four pioneering awardees for its first Ocean Heroes Award for helping protect the marine resources within the Tanon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS).

TSPS, the narrow body of water separating the islands of Cebu and Negros, is known as the playground of 14 of the 27 species of whales and dolphins in the Philippines.

It is also an important fishing ground, supporting the livelihood of coastal dwellers in 42 cities and municipalities of the provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

Lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, vice president for Oceana Philippines, said the awardees were Norlan Pagal of San Remegio, Cebu; Oliver Dayupay of Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Roberto Quigay of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; and Veda Raunillo of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

Ramos said they hoped the efforts of the four awardees will inspire others to come up with initiatives to protect the TSPS.

Dr. Isabelo Montejo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 director, said the protection and sustainability of the TSPS depends on the participation and involvement of people like them.

Pagal, who is now wheelchair-bound, nearly lost his life in his 13-year campaign against illegal fishing in San Remigio town in northern Cebu.

Pagal was returning home from a fiesta celebration in a nearby barangay last year when unidentified men he believed were illegal fishermen waylaid him and shot him several times before leaving him for dead.

A bullet pierced his spine that turned him into a paraplegic.

In 2010, Pagal said he was also almost killed when illegal fishermen threw a stick of dynamite on the patrol boat he was riding.

Three years ago, he said he was attacked by illegal fishermen when he caught them fishing inside a marine protected area.

Raunillo, who served as fisherfolk provincial director for Negros Oriental, was recognized for her active part in guarding the marine protected areas in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

Dayupay, a fisherman and a registered scuba diver who died of a heart attack earlier this year, was recognized for helping protect marine sanctuaries in Ayungon town, also in Negros Oriental.

Quigay was recognized for his efforts in establishing marine protected areas, fishing vessel registration and fisheries management plan in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.