The article presents study on the challenges faced by village-based marine protected area (MPA) programs in the Philippines, specifically of Twin Rocks Marine Sanctuary, with the end-view of identifying specific action areas for the improvement of these programs. Having identified decentralization and distribution of economic wealth as paths to sustainable development, the study is premised on the idea that giving power over resources to people who depend on these reduces externalities in the economic undertaking because they are more concerned and knowledgeable of the resources they live on. In the fisheries sector, this community-based resource management is seen in the MPA programs of the country.