RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE 19TH TUNA CONGRESS RESOLUTION NO. 10, SERIES OF 2017, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ADOPTION OF THE FISHERIES ANNEX OF THE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN OF 2016-2021 OF THE BAY PROTECTED SEASCAPE ______

HON. BRIX T. TAN - SPONSOR ______

WHEREAS, SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) is now on its 19th year of organizing the annual National Tuna Congress,

WHEREAS, Consistent with the time-honored tradition of advocacy and standing-up for relevant issues and immediate concerns affecting the fishing industry, this year’s congress will also celebrate the winning game plane of partnership and collaboration among stakeholders;

WHEREAS, The Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) is the second largest marine protected area (MPA) in the and is also one of the richest in terms of marine biodiversity that includes fishery resources;

WHEREAS, to protect Sarangani Bay, President Proclamation No. 756 series of 1996 designated Sarangani Bay as a Protected Seascape under the general administration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the management of a Multi-sectoral group composed of DENR, Non-Government Agency, Local Government Units, People Organizations, Academe, the Non-Government Organizations of , Sarangani and (SOCSARGEN) as also stipulated in Republic Act No. 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992);

WHEREAS, the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape is reserved and established for the purpose of protecting and conserving its coastal and marine resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the Philippines, in view of its ecological, scientific, educational and recreational values, thereby making it a part of the Integrated Protected Areas System (IPAS), in consonance with the existing laws, rules and regulations and these that shall be promulgated thereafter;

WHEREAS, the ‘Fisheries Annex,’ is a planning document that forms part of the Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2021) for Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) in Region 12, Philippines;

WHEREAS, the crafting of the Fisheries Annex was facilitated through a technical assistance request of the SBPS’ Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) - Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 12 (DENR 12) to the USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans);

WHEREAS, BFAR adopted the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) by facilitating planning and implementation process in fisheries management areas in partnership with LGUs, other national agencies, fisherfolk communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector, academe, and other stakeholders to mainstreaming EAFM;

WHEREAS, the plan focuses on the municipal fisheries of Sarangani Bay’s seven surrounding coastal city/municipalities: (1) Maitum, (2) Kiamba, (3) , (4) , (5) , (6) Glan and (7) General Santos City (GSC);

WHEREAS, it takes into account the relevant plans fisheries/coastal resources management (CRM) and development plans of the municipal/provincial local government units (LGUs). At the national level, it is guided by the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan (CNFIDP);

WHEREAS, Several management actions are contained in the Fisheries Annex that include strengthening anti- illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing measures, intensifying information, education and communication (IEC), restoring fishery habitats, promoting use of appropriate fishing gears and boats/vessels, protecting spawning grounds, and capacitating organizations of registered fishers, among others;

WHEREAS, the Fisheries Annex is anticipated to provide the integrated guidance in promoting the sustainable development of the municipal fisheries of Sarangani Bay and to provide the framework for collaborative implementation of the priority programs, projects and activities in line with the respective CRM/municipal fisheries development plans of the concerned local government units;

WHEREAS, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) and the local government units various (LGUs), were partners in the organization and conduct of these workshops, each sending representatives along with the members of various people’s organizations (POs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to the workshops;

WHEREAS The participants agree the need to promote the sustainable fisheries development of Sarangani Bay and Sulawesi Seas, Philippines, and preserve for the stakeholders, their communities and the Philippines, the continuity of this fishery resource, and the stability of the industry on which they all rely;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, supports the 19th Tuna Congress resolution no. 10 series of 2017, esolution supporting the adoption of the fisheries annex of the protected area management plan of 2016- 2021 of the sarangani bay protected seascape;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the said LGUs, implement relevant actions providing a favorable policy environment for the institutionalization of SFMP, and the Fisheries Annex or its relevant sections.

RESOLVED FINALLY that copies of this Resolution be furnished to the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Local Government Units of Maasim, Local Government Units of Maitum, Local Government Units of Glan, Local Government Units of Kiamba, Local Government Units of Alabel, Local Government Units of Malapatan, Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, other government agencies concerned and all other stakeholder groups from academic institutions, donor organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Non-Government Organizations, People Organizations and private sector.

Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by:

Daryl Jim C. Fernandez Rosalinda L. Mondido Hon. Brix T. Tan LLSA III LLSO V City Councilor

Nasron L. Liansing LLSA III

Ernesto N. Casildo LLSA III