DAVAO City Water awarded the winners of the inter-purok artificial reefs making contest in Barangay Bago Aplaya during the culmination program of its 2Big Campaign on December 19, 2017 at NCCC Kadayawan Hall.
Purok 14 Saavedra was hailed as first placer followed by Purok 13 Seaside in second place, and Purok 19 Balai in third place. Puroks Bliss and D’ Garden ended up as finalists. The winners received plaques, cash prizes, and IEC materials while the finalists were awarded with certificates, cash prizes, and IEC materials.
Launched during the Ocean Month celebration in May, the contest entailed each participating purok to fabricate one artificial reef with the aim to increase fish habitat.
One month was allotted for the making of the entries to ensure that these were compliant to the standards set by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, City Agriculturist’s Office, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, all member agencies of Davao City Coastal Resource Management Technical Working Group.
After thorough evaluation based on functionality, concept, originality, compatibility, durability, and stability, the entries were installed at Brgy. Bago Aplaya’s Marine Protected Area in August with the assistance of DCWD’s partner agencies.
During the awarding, DCWD assistant general manager for administration Alfonso E. Laid thanked the barangay council of Bago Aplaya and the participating puroks for their enthusiasm and cooperation as well as the partner agencies.
The Artificial Reefs project is among the community-based projects implemented by DCWD this year to promote the protection of our marine resources and environment. Monitoring of the project will continue in 2018. (PR)