A sanctuary was set up in San Salvador Island through the help of a Peace Corp Volunteer. However, the success of the sanctuary can be credited to the determination of the residents of the island to protect and preserve their natural resources. Through a community-based coastal resource management program of the non-government organization (NGO) Haribon Foundation, the local fisherfolk organization called Samahang Pangkaunlaran ng San Salvador (SPSS), took it upon themselves to manage the marine sanctuary and reserve. Their effort was legitimized by Municipal Ordinance no. 30, series of 1988. Local government officials capitalized on the enthusiastic dive of the President by lobbying Congress to declare the Masinloc and Oyon Bay as a Protected Seascape under Republic Act 7586, the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act. Several consultations and public hearings were then conducted. Eventually, Masinloc and Oyon Bay was declared as a protected seascape through Proclamation No. 231 on August 18, 1993. Thus, the successful marine sanctuary and reserve of San Salvador Island were expanded to cover 7,568 hectares. This case study looks at the issues and problems in this marine sanctuary and the challenges faced by fisherfolk of Masinloc and Oyon Bay who have remained vigilant in their effort to protect and manage their coastal resources