IBA, Zambales — Two marine protected areas (MPAs) in Zambales have been added to the Zambales Marine Protected Area Network (ZAMPAN), expanding the province’s coordinated efforts to conserve marine biodiversity and promote sustainable fisheries.

The inclusion of the Calanga Reef Marine Protected Area in Iba and the Rabaw-ti-Bato Marine Protected Area in San Narciso was approved under ZAMPAN Resolution No. 1, Series of 2026, signed by Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr.

Marife Castillo, provincial environment and natural resources officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Zambales, said the two MPAs were endorsed because of their ecological importance as coral reef ecosystems that serve as breeding, spawning, nursery and feeding grounds for various marine species.

“Protecting these areas as part of a larger network strengthens habitat connectivity, improves ecosystem resilience, and supports coordinated management of coastal resources across municipalities,” Castillo said.

The expanded network is expected to help restore fish populations by protecting critical habitats where fish reproduce and mature. As fish stocks recover, nearby fishing grounds may also benefit through the natural movement of adult fish and the dispersal of larvae, improving food security and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said expanding the province’s network of marine protected areas marks an important step in safeguarding coastal ecosystems while supporting communities that depend on marine resources.

“Healthy marine ecosystems are the foundation of productive fisheries and resilient coastal communities. By expanding ZAMPAN, we are strengthening ecosystem protection while supporting the long-term well-being of the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on our marine resources,” Pablo said.

Established through a memorandum of understanding signed in 2013, ZAMPAN serves as a collaborative platform for the DENR, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Provincial Government of Zambales, the Provincial Agriculture Office, and the local government units of Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Botolan, Cabangan, San Felipe, San Antonio, Subic, Iba and San Narciso to strengthen marine conservation and coastal resource management across the province.