Mati City will receive P2 million worth of fisheries livelihood projects and a plaque of recognition. Taking the higher notch, they will represent Davao Region in the 4th season of the national MMK Search for Outstanding Coastal Community.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of San Isidro secured the second spot while Island Garden City of Samal ranked third place. They will receive P1 million and P500, 000.00 worth of fisheries livelihood projects and a plaque of recognition, respectively.

Among the contenders who made it on 4th and 5th place were Tagum City in Davao del Norte and Municipality of Lupon in Davao Oriental.

Notwithstanding the changing times, BFAR XI greatly appreciates the dedication of the participating Local Government Units in the realization of its mandate for the development, improvement, management and conservation of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources while empowering and strengthening the capacity of the fisherfolk community.

MMK is an annual program of BFAR as part of its nationwide search for outstanding coastal communities with exemplary efforts on coastal resource protection and conservation.

The finalists were assessed based on the following criteria: (1) No Illegal Fishing; (2) Observance of off-fishing season; (3) Declaration of marine protected areas; (4) Clean, coastal waters without any garbage or industrial effluence flowing to the sea; and (5) Effective mangrove protection and rehabilitation program. The assessment conducted to determine the winners included both desk evaluation and field validation.