Governments are the ultimate form of environmental change in many countries, which is not necessarily surprising given that governments have the ability to regulate activities and even control access to areas. In developed nations, governments often take the lead role on conservation, offering funds and providing the necessary frameworks for activities which highlight the conservation focusses and best practices.

In the developing world however, the situation is not so simple. While governments have a wealth of enthusiasm and passion, they are often missing technical resources and capacity, for the most part through no fault of their own. This is a significant issue in the Philippines because the Government has the potential to be the ultimate force of change for the better management of natural resources and protected ecosystems.

Recognising that government is the most critical of change for environmental policy, MCP is working closely with local and provincial government stakeholders to not just fill these gaps, but to pass on the skills to ensure that those gaps remain filled. MCP is providing technical training for government agencies in not just diving, but also data management, data interpretation and technical writing. Alongside this training, MCP acts as a support vehicle, providing any necessary assistance to ensure that local stakeholders have the confidence and understanding to produce impactful and measurable plans for the protection of the marine ecosystem.

Through capacity building, MCP has the potential to reach much further than our organisational capacity, training empowered and passionate individuals to ensure that all regions receive the same level of conservation action, with a long-term impact that can extend well beyond the life-span of one NGO.