Photo By: DENR Central Luzon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Province of Zambales has strengthened its marine conservation efforts following the inclusion of two new marine protected areas (MPAs) into the Zambales Marine Protected Area Network (ZAMPAN), further advancing coordinated initiatives to safeguard marine biodiversity and promote sustainable fisheries.
The newly recognized protected sites—the Calanga Reef Marine Protected Area in the Municipality of Iba and the Rabaw-ti-Bato Marine Protected Area in the Municipality of San Narciso—were officially admitted into the network through ZAMPAN Resolution No. 1, Series of 2026, approved by Governor Hermogenes Ebdane.
According to Marife Castillo, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Zambales, the two MPAs were endorsed due to their vital ecological role as coral reef ecosystems that serve as breeding, spawning, nursery, and feeding grounds for a wide range of marine species.
“Protecting these areas as part of a larger network strengthens habitat connectivity, improves ecosystem resilience, and supports coordinated management of coastal resources across municipalities,” Castillo said.
The expanded network is expected to contribute to the recovery of fish populations by protecting critical marine habitats where fish reproduce and mature. As fish stocks increase, surrounding fishing grounds are also anticipated to benefit through the natural movement of adult fish and the dispersal of larvae, enhancing food security and sustaining the livelihoods of coastal communities.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized that expanding the province’s network of marine protected areas represents a significant milestone in balancing environmental protection with community development.
“Healthy marine ecosystems are the foundation of productive fisheries and resilient coastal communities. By expanding ZAMPAN, we are strengthening ecosystem protection while supporting the long-term well-being of the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on our marine resources,” Pablo said.
Established through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2013, ZAMPAN serves as a collaborative platform among the DENR, the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Provincial Government of Zambales, the Provincial Agriculture Office, and the local government units across the province to promote integrated marine conservation and sustainable coastal resource management.