Cadiz City is gaining national recognition for its environmental efforts.
The Avila Mangrove Reserve and Migratory Birds Sanctuary (AMRMBS), located in Barangay Daga and known as the “guardian of the coast,” was recently named first runner-up in the prestigious Para El Mar Awards.
The ceremony, held in Iloilo City, recognized the country’s best marine protected areas.
The Balisungan Marine Protected Area in Coron, Palawan, was named champion, while the Siruma Mangrove Local Conservation Area in Siruma, Camarines Sur, and the Bauang Bakawan Eco-Tourism Park in Bauang, La Union, finished as second and third runners-up, respectively.
Organized by the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Support Network, the Para El Mar (For the Sea) awards are a biennial event that celebrates exceptional marine conservation efforts by local governments and communities.
Likened to the FAMAS awards for Filipino cinema, this was the first time Cadiz had joined and won the national competition.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. expressed his excitement, calling the award a testament to the city’s commitment to environmental preservation.
“This offers new hope and inspiration for us Cadizeños to further our efforts and programs always meant to preserve our environment and the natural resources within,” he said.
The 33-hectare sanctuary is a vibrant ecosystem that protects both humans and marine life, a press release from Cadiz City said on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Its dense mangrove roots serve as a nursery for young fish and crabs, while thousands of migratory birds, including the globally threatened Great Knot, use it as a crucial stopover on their long journeys.
This makes the AMRMBS a vital link in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, an international network for migratory bird habitats.
The AMRMBS is also part of a larger wetland area in Cadiz that is being considered for a Ramsar citation, which recognizes wetlands of international significance.
For the local community, the sanctuary is a lifeline. It provides a source of food and livelihood through fishing and acts as a natural barrier against storm surges, protecting homes and lives during typhoons. This balance between people and nature is what gave the AMRMBS an edge in the competition.
The sanctuary is home to 31 mangrove species, including the rare Camptostemon philippinensis (Gapas-gapas), which is emblematic of the city.
While the AMRMBS has achieved national recognition, it still faces threats like illegal logging, poaching, and improper waste disposal.
However, Escalante’s administration has bolstered protection efforts, the press release said.
With daily sea patrols by the Bantay Katunggan Brigade and partnerships with government agencies, schools, and local organizations, the city is dedicated to guarding its natural treasure.
The result is a thriving ecosystem that benefits both wildlife and people.
As Mayor Escalante declared: “This is it… our greatest contribution to saving Mother Earth.”*