The MPA database started out as a project to document the management of marine protected areas in the Visayas region. Its main activity was to document and record the management status of local and nationally managed MPAs. A rating system was utilized by CCEF so that MPA management committees are guided in improving the management of these sites. With a recent funding from the UNICO Conservation Foundation, the important work of supporting hundreds of MPAs scattered mainly in Visayas is continued.
Distribution and number of MPAs by province
| Province | Number of MPAs |
|---|---|
| Batangas | 3 |
| Surigao del Sur | 3 |
| Negros Oriental | 8 |
| Camiguin | 1 |
| La Union | 1 |
| Mindoro Oriental | 3 |
| Bohol | 13 |
| Misamis Oriental | 1 |
| Sarangani | 1 |
| Cebu | 17 |
| Camarines Norte | 1 |
| Zamboanga del Norte | 2 |
| Southern Leyte | 1 |
| Leyte | 1 |
| Mindoro Occidental | 1 |
| Pangasinan | 2 |
| Davao del Sur | 3 |
| Palawan | 17 |
| Zamboanga del Sur | 3 |
| Sorsogon | 1 |
| Quezon | 1 |
| Samar | 1 |
| Misamis Occidental | 2 |
| Davao Oriental | 1 |
| Siquijor | 1 |
| Iloilo | 1 |
| Zamboanga Sibugay | 1 |
| Zambales | 1 |
| Antique | 1 |
Number of MPAs in the database: 93