Training More Rangers for Tubbataha

Nineteen more personnel from the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard were added to the pool of park rangers for the Tubbataha Reefs after the three-day 13th Comprehensive Training for Marine Park Rangers (MPR) was held on 2 to 4 October 2013 at the Apolinario Jalandoon Naval Station in Puerto Princesa City.

The training was designed to equip law enforcement personnel for future assignment to the park with better understanding of their role in marine conservation, particularly as they comprise the first line of authority in the Tubbataha Reefs. Clarifying and giving value to the role of MPRs in the park has increased the personnel’s appreciation on the critical role they play in the conservation of the Tubbataha Reefs.

This year, students from the Western Philippine University participated in the training as observers. Their participation was aimed at providing the youth with better understanding of the importance of Tubbataha and its role in providing for the food security of Filipinos. It is also hoped that through their participation they will be inspired to pursue a profession in marine conservation in the future.

Financial support from the Coral Triangle Support Partnership through the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and in-kind support from the Philippine Navy enabled the conduct of this annual training.

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