The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has recognized and granted awards to four of Palawan’s best marine protected areas (MPAs). USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks and Palawan Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates presented the awards. Cited were the Siete Pecados Marine Park as best managed MPA, followed by San Jose MPA as best emerging MPA, while the Balisugan and Bulalaco MPS were recognized as best community managed and best locally managed MPAs, respectively.The Calamianes MPA network, an inter-local government unit alliance of Busuanga, Coron, Culion and Linapacan, received a special award.