Guiuan Development Foundation Inc.

Bagonbanua Marine Reserve and Fish Sanctuary located in Guiuan, Eastern Samar is the First Marine Protected Area (MPA) established in Eastern Visayas. It is comprised of all the three major coastal ecosystems (Mangrove, Coral reef, Seagrass) with a total area of 28 hectares.

In 1990, when the MPA was established by the Guiuan Development Foundation, Inc. (GDFI), the area was heavily degraded due to blast fishing, cyanide fishing, and heavy gleaning but GDFI believed that it can rehabilitate the area. To do this, GDFI with support from various partners protected the area, did resource/habitat enhancement and in five years, the place, described by Dr. Angelo Alcala as “sterile,” was already teaming with life.

Bagonbanus was a venue for Coastal Habitats/Resource Assessment Trainings for various groups as it has a facility to accommodate up to 50 pax for live-in training/workshops.

Super Typhoon Haiyan blew the facilities (building and wharf) away and these has never been rebuilt due to lack of funds. One thing good however is that, the corals have started growing back and population of fish and invertebrates are coming back. But the educational activities mentioned above cannot be resumed because we have not been able to rebuild our facilities yet.