In Masbate City, the Buntod Reef Marine Sanctuary once faced severe degradation from dynamite fishing and destructive practices driven by poverty and lack of livelihood opportunities. To address this, the Local Government Unit organized former illegal fishers into SAMAPUSI Inc. in 2008 through continuous dialogue and community engagement. The initiative focused on transforming fishers into “Sea Guardians” through capacity building, eco-tourism livelihood support, and community-based coastal enforcement. Members became active protectors and managers of the sanctuary, shifting from resource exploiters to conservation partners. The effort resulted in significant ecological recovery, including improved fish biomass and increased coral cover from 27.5% in 2002 to 57.11% in 2016. Socio-economically, members gained stable income that helped support their families and send their children to college. The initiative demonstrates that empowering communities is vital to sustaining marine ecosystems and improving livelihoods.