Talisay City in southern Cebu is more than its busy streets and famous lechon. Hidden beneath its coastline are four marine sanctuaries, Bogo Shoal, Lagundi Reef, Pungaton Reef, and Makatol Reef, that quietly protect marine life and sustain local livelihoods. These marine protected areas, or MPAs, are playing an important role in ecological preservation and sustainable fishing.
Bogo Shoal in Poblacion
Located off the waters of Poblacion, Bogo Shoal is one of Talisay’s designated MPAs. Though lesser known than popular diving destinations, this shoal is essential in maintaining marine balance. It provides a safe zone for fish to spawn and coral to regenerate, creating a natural support system for both local fishermen and the marine ecosystem.
Lagundi Reef in Biasong
Lagundi Reef stands out for its blend of reef and mangrove ecosystems. Situated in Barangay Biasong, it features a stretch of mangrove forest that helps trap silt, filter runoff, and prevent pollution from entering reef areas.
Over the years, the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation has partnered with the community for cleanup operations and mangrove planting, significantly improving the area’s condition. Locals have also established a small mangrove nursery, turning environmental responsibility into community pride.
Pungaton Reef in Tanke
Quietly located in Barangay Tanke, Pungaton Reef is another sanctuary that supports fish stocks and coral communities. While it receives less attention than other sites, its role is no less important. By allowing marine life to regenerate without disturbance, it strengthens fish populations and provides spillover benefits to surrounding fishing areas.
Makatol Reef in Pooc
Found near the boundary of Talisay and Minglanilla, Makatol Reef is a shared natural asset that reinforces the coastal health of both municipalities. It forms part of a larger ecological corridor that supports coral and seagrass systems. Like the other sanctuaries, Makatol is under quiet but active protection.
Ongoing Protection and Management
Talisay City has implemented several initiatives to safeguard these marine areas. Local ordinances have strengthened the protection of Lagundi Reef in particular, while other MPAs benefit from shared governance between the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. These agencies oversee planning, enforcement, and ecological monitoring.
Community involvement is equally important. Residents, students, and local fisherfolk regularly join clean-up activities, participate in educational drives, and take part in coastal tree planting efforts. These grassroots programs not only protect biodiversity but also help shift mindsets toward long-term environmental care.
The Bigger Picture
Talisay’s MPAs serve multiple purposes. They ensure food security through sustainable fishing, protect coastal communities from storm surges and erosion, and help regulate climate impacts by preserving carbon-sequestering habitats like mangroves. In a time of rising environmental challenges, these sanctuaries represent a model of what small cities can do with the right mix of science, governance, and community spirit.
As Talisay continues to grow, these four marine sanctuaries remain quiet strongholds of life beneath the surface. They offer a vision of development that respects nature while supporting the people who depend on it.
