Rampant illegal fishing and destructive deep sea fishing activities in the city of Kawayan have left its fishing industry in serious peril. These problems, coupled with the dwindling credibility of its law enforcers, prompted the municipal government of Kawayan to take action.

      In 1992, the municipal mayor launched the Bantay Dagat program with the hopes of establishing a more systematic approach and a sustained information drive on aquatic preservation and management. These were achieved with the creation of the Fishery and Aquatic Resource Management Council and the Bantay Dagat Task Force.

      Since the Bantay Dagat program’s implementation, valuable changes have been taking place. Ten fishery-related ordinances were passed and strictly enforced within the municipality. Sustained information campaigns were instituted in every barangay resulting to the active participation of the fisherfolks in data gathering and monitoring of illegal fishing vessels entering the territory. To support this initiative, the LGU acquired two patrol boats equipped with communication equipment. Base radios with frequencies connected to barangay centers were provided to the local police. As a result, illegal fishing was reduced by 90%.

      On the program’s fifth year if implementation, there was a remarkable decrease in the number of poor families in the coastal barangays, from 76% to 43% in 1997. Fishery revenues increased from zero in 1992 to Php80,000.00 in 1998. A 46 percent increase in business taxes and licenses were likewise recorded. Additionally, a marine reserve was demarcated with an area of 43.4 square kilometers and artificial reefs were constructed in six barangays. Alternative livelihoods like swine fattening, bag making, poultry and fish processing were also introduced to the fishing community. There was strict observance of closed-fishing seasons especially during the spawning of the “dilis,” which the town is known for. At present, there are 24 fish wardens monitoring the coastal area round-the-clock. The preservation of coral reefs and sanctuaries has rightly become a collective commitment of the entire community.