Some 76 key officials and representatives from six-member nations of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) and their partners gathered in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, for a five-day regional exchange focusing on marine protected areas (MPAs). The CTI-CFF is a multilateral partnership among six countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, and the Philippines. It aims to protect the coastal and marine resources of the region. Apo Island is currently rated under Category 3 or a Priority Development Site of the Coral Triangle MPA system.

Six countries in Coral Triangle Initiative gather in Dumaguete for regional exchange. (2016, September 15). Manila Bulletin, p. B8.