BACOLOD CITY – A comprehensive biodiversity assessment was recently completed for the Lapus Lapus-Macapagao Local Conservation Area (LCA) in Sagay City, aiming to bolster the protection of the 364-hectare site in northern Negros Occidental.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayo Antonio Cueva, head of the Sagay City Environment and Natural Resources Office (SCENRO), stressed the importance of understanding local biodiversity for conservation efforts. The assessment involved a 28-person team, including SCENRO staff, volunteers from the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), State University of Northern Negros (SUNN), and the Zoological Society of London (ZCL). Conducted over four days in the last week of September, the survey aimed to document the ecological diversity within the area, which includes 227 hectares of mangroves, 72 hectares of seagrass, and 65 hectares of coral reefs as identified in a 2021 survey.
Jose Roberto Togle, Resource Assessment head, noted that the findings from the recent survey would be shared with the community in the upcoming months. These insights are crucial for planning future conservation strategies and enhancing public awareness about the importance of the LCA. The area, known for its rich marine ecosystem and diverse wildlife, is being developed as an ecotourism destination focused on sustainability by the local government.
In addition to local efforts, the Lapus Lapus Floating Cottage Association, in partnership with the California-based nonprofit Seacology, signed an agreement in July to preserve the area’s natural beauty and ecological functions. This collaboration has already resulted in the construction of new facilities, including a watchtower and a kayak center, managed by the association.
Local Conservation Areas like Lapus Lapus-Macapagao are designated and managed by local government units under ordinances recognizing their conservation value. These areas receive support through various partnerships, including SUNN’s involvement in the Future’s Thinking Project on marine reserves and ZSL’s technical assistance under a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development and the Gerry Roxas Foundation.