Coastal Resource Management Program of Bani, Pangasinan bags 2005 GAWAD GALING POOK Award

Bani's Coastal Resource Management Program (CRMP) was awarded "Katangi-tanging Programang Pampamahalaang Lokal (1st Trailblazing Program) sa Buong Pilipinas" by the Galing Pook Foundation during the Awarding Ceremony with no other than the President, H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferring the award held at the Heroes Hall, Malacanang Palace, Manila on December 20, 2005.

The Coastal Resource Management Program of Bani, Pangasinan is an integrated approach to address critical and interconnected issues of fishery resource depletion, persistent poverty among fisherfolk and environmental concerns.

After years of extensive rehabilitation and enhancement, the coastal resources of Bani have recovered from threatened depletion and degradation. Fish catch has improved and people's organizations generate income from alternative livelihood.

"The success and sustainability of the CRMP are ensured through the active participation of its people's organizations and stakeholders in all planning and implementation stages, the intervention of national government agencies (NGAs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) and the political will of the local oficials to enact and implement fishery laws and ordinances," Mayor Gabriel E. Navarro said.

The flagship project of the CRM Program is the Marine Protected Area-1. It is also being developed as an eco-tourism site and a CRM learning destination.

The efforts in coastal resource management have been instrumental in making the Municipality of Bani a consistent winner for three (3) consecutive years (2000 to 2004) and two (2) consecutive years as Hall of Fame Awardee for the Cleanest Coastal Municipality in Pangasinan from 2003 to 2004.