CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Misamis Oriental town of Laguindingan has been adjudged as the cleanest coastline in the country, beating close to a thousand cities and towns nationwide for the coveted Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) awards.
Initiated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the annual contest aims to promote fisheries protection and conservation in the country, as well as to promote stakeholder engagement to the cause of resource protection and conservation.
Laguindingan Mayor Diosdado Obsioma said the award was presented by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol to municipal and provincial officials in Malacañang last week.
BFAR cited Laguindingan for its mangrove plantations, which made it the regional winner in the MMK search last November.
Obsioma credited residents of barangays Mauswagon, Tubajon and Moog for their year-round cooperation in maintaining the mangroves in their respective localities.
Mangroves are the number one sequesters of carbon pollutants in coastal communities, he pointed out.
The absence of illegal fishing in Laguindingan and its strict observance of closed fishing season annually were likewise cited by the BFAR evaluators.
After breezing through the regional finals last year, Laguindingan was able to beat four other finalists nationwide -- Calatagan, Batangas; Cortes, Surigao del Sur; Palompan, Leyte; and Claveria, Cagayan. (Mark D. Francisco/PNA)
