Norman Pagal of Barangay Anapog, San Remigio, Cebu recieves the Ocean Heroes Award initiated by Oceana Philippines. This is in line with the protection of the Tañon Strait. (CDN PHOTO/FERDINAND EDRALIN)
With binoculars in hand, Norlan Pagal, 46, scanned the waters off the shore of his coastal village, Anapog, in northern Cebu’s town of San Remigio.
For Pagal, watching over the sea off his village, which is part of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, was not just a daily routine but an integral part of his dedication to protect his town’s water from illegal fishers. It did not matter that he could no longer walk. He is wheelchair-bound but his love for the sea knows no bound.
“Karon bisa’g ingon ani ko, kada adlaw, naa gyud ko sa baybayon basta wala’y init. Maglantaw, mag-teleskopyo. Kung naa koy makita nga dili mao, mopahibaw na lang ko sa bantay dagat sa munisipyo para mahimuan ug aksyon,” Pagal said.
(Even if I’m like this now, every day I would stay at the shoreline for as long as it’s not too hot. I would scan the water using my binoculars. If I see something not right, I will report it to the seaborne patrol of the municipality so they can take action)
As the former seaborne patrol chief in his barangay, Pagal continued his advocacy against illegal fishing even if he became a cripple because of it.
This earned him one of the four top citations in the first Ocean Heroes Awards held in Cebu City on June 8, the World Ocean Day, organized by Oceana Philippines, the country’s chapter of the international foundation protecting the world’s oceans, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Getting the citation was huge for Pagal who said he never imagined that he who only reached the fourth grade in elementary school would get a recognition that brought pride to his family, his children, grandchildren, and the next generation.
Pagal, a staunch advocate of fishery laws in San Remigio for over 13 years, started as a member of the municipality’s Seaborne Patrol in 2002. In 2015, he became the chairman of the Anapog Fishermen Association, which to this day watches over the Anapog Marine Protected Area, one of the eight marine protected areas (MPAs) in the municipality.
His advocacy earned him enemies from among local fishers he had arrested for using illegal fishing methods, such as engaging in cyanide fishing and for fishing within an MPA.
There had been three attempts on his life. The first was in 2010 when some people threw sticks of dynamite at his boat. The second was in Nov. 14, 2013, just a few days after the Visayas was devastated by supertyphoon Yolanda, when he was mauled after he arrested some illegal fishers. He had 14 stitches in his forehead when one of the fishermen hit him with a paddle.
The last was on Oct. 24, 2015 when he was shot by unknown men while he was on his way home from his villages fiesta celebration. The bullet hit his spinal cord, which paralyzed the lower half of his body.
Yet, through it all, Pagal never regretted his involvement in the anti-illegal fishing campaign.
“Nagpasalamat hinuon ko nga tungod sa nahitabo nako, mas nisamot kadaghan ang mga mananagat sa amoa nga nangisog sa pagbantay sa kadagatan,” Pagal said.
(I am in fact thankful that because of what happened to me, many fishermen in my village were emboldened to protect our sea)
Each of the four winners received a P50,000 cash prize, a part of which will be used to fund marine protection projects in their respective
areas.
The other winners were Veda Raunillo of Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, for the woman leader category, for her active role in guarding the marine protected areas in her city as the fisherfolk provincial director; Roberto Quigay of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, for leading the establishment of marine protected areas, fishing vessel registration and fisheries management plan in his city; and Oliver Dayupay, of Ayungon, Negros Oriental, a fisherman and certified scuba diver, a marine protection advocate recognized for his extensive knowledge on corals.
Unfortunately, Dayupay succumbed to cardiac arrest last month while he was attending a marine protection seminar in Cebu.
His wife Eden as well as Ayungon Mayor Edsel Enardecido received his award on his behalf.
“I’ve known him since I was vice mayor. He has always been active insofar as marine protection is concerned. Even his own life, he would risk just for the sake of our seas,” Enardecido said in his speech.
Even during the morning of May 25, the day Oliver died, his wife Eden recalled he still called her to check if there were illegal fishers in the marine sanctuary they were protecting.
Tañon Strait is one of the largest fishing grounds in the country covering more than 500,000 hectares and is home to more than 70 different species of fish, 20 species of crustaceans, and 14 species of dolphins.
Theresa Mundita Lim, director of DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau, said people like Pagal Raunillo, Quigay, and Dagupay showed to others what dedication to marine preservation means.
“Day after day, they serve their purpose of consistently working for the protection of Tañon Strait. They fight against those who dared destroy and conduct illegal fishing activities within the area which damages the habitats as well as marine organism; and they act as a light to inspire and change the way of thinking of individuals, groups, and organization towards sustainable resources management,” she said in her speech.
Lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president for Oceana Philippines, said the finalists and winners of the Ocean Heroes Awards are unsung heroes of the Tañon Strait and would hopefully serve as an inspiration to others.