cet cas rovince of Negros Occidental Ce eh resource management efforts is supported up to the provincial level, and works toward providing coastal communities with equitable opportunities to improve their living condition. Their effective enforcement allowed their endemic’ banner species, ‘diwal or the Angel Wings clam, to thrive into a more sustainable fishery that supports the livelihood of more and more people ‘AREA 246 hectares from 14 MPAs within CENECCORDS alliance of 7 LGUs (Bago City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, and Binalbagan). ESTABLISHED SINCE 2006 ‘The network was organized thru “The Central Negros Agreement on Coastal Resources Development of 2005” in January 2005 and was legally established on the last half of 2006. MANAGEMENT BODY + 92 regular members led by the Diwal MPA Management Board who had undergone capacity development activities for the sustainability of the marine + Council consists of the Local Chief Executive, Chairman SB Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, Municipal Agriculturist, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, FARMC Chairperson, Bantay Dagat Team Leader, Fisherfolk Organization Representatives, Punong Barangay, and Barangay Kagawad Chairman, Committee on Agriculture FLORA AND FAUNA + Home to numerous commercial species of pelagic fishes, shellfish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. + Angel Wings clam (Pholas orientales) locally known as the “diwal, a high- vvalue bivalve that is thought to be ‘endemic’ to the coastal waters of Central Negros Occidental and the northern part of Panay and Capiz.2015 Most Outstanding Marine Protected Area Finalist KEY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES The Council aims to effectively manage the coastal waters ‘and resources of the seven member LGUs, particularly those related 10 water boundaries dispute through ‘municipal water delineation, Members are continuously strengthened and capacitated through a series of trainings that directs them towards the fulfilment oftheir objectives. CENECCORDS LGU alliance, with technical assistance {from the University of the Philippine in Visayas, issued an executive order declaring the open and closed seasons (specific months) for ‘wal? harvest, and implemented a reseeding or reintroduction efforts to restore the population of of these clams, which have been overfished tothe brink of local extinction especially in the 1990%, ‘Diwal’ divers are now required to receive orientation on the guidelines and harvest regulations, divers’ license and permits, and pay “harvest fee. Moreover, to ensure strict implementation, the coastal law enforcement was intensified. IMPACTS AND BENEFITS: + The project “Angel Wing Reseeding in CENECCORD Area’ successflly restored the stocks which benefits the fisherfolks and the ‘general public + ‘Diwal’ fishing closure resulted to significant increase of income during harvest season. + MPA social marketing and information drives using different media and collaterals have not only improved awareness of the community but have also reached potential ‘dial’ market. ISSUES AND THREATS: + Resource use and water boundary disputes, + ‘Diwal’ competes with other species in the area + Over-exploitation of “diwal” due to its market value. + Noncompliance of open and closed season by some diwal divers. RECOMMENDATIONS: + ‘Diwalsknownforits palatability, holds opportunity for value-adding, + Promotion of ‘iwal” products to attract more buyers and tourist to visit the area. Can also be featured in exhibits to show its potential as an export product. + Promotion of coastal ecotourism. + Build partnership with funding agencies for counterpart funding, + Allocation of regular budget/trust fund for sustainability of projects Contact this MPA network through: ‘Ms, Marilou R. Pehafie (CENECCORD Executive Director Mobile number: 0920 949 5707 Email: mrpen9275@yahoo.com