Masinloc Coral Reef Habitat Demonstration Site in the Philippines

Project Title:Masinloc Coral Reef Habitat Demonstration Site in the Philippines
Project Focus:Coral Reefs
Project Country:Philippines
Project Summary:The main goal of the Masinloc Coral Reef Habitat Demonstration Site project is to sustain and promote co-management of marine sanctuaries aimed at improving the quality of life of coastal communities bordering the South China Sea. The livelihood opportunities that will be established and implemented are targeted to serve as incentives for reef stewardship. Project activities include: demonstrating sustainable community-based marine sanctuaries; capacity building; development of alternative livelihoods; development and implementation of an information and education campaign on coral reef conservation and management on the South China Sea coast of the Philippines. This is one of 5 coral reef habitat demonstration sites established within the framework of the UNEP/GEF South China Sea Project.
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Project Location:Masinloc, Zambales, Philippines (15.48-15.59N, 119.89-119.97E)
Project URL:http://www.unepscs.org/Masinloc,_Philippines_Habitat_Demonstration_Site.html
Project Start Date:Oct - 01 - 2005
Project End Date:Aug - 01 - 2008
Project Rationale:Masinloc, Zambales is one of the 832 coastal municipalities in the Philippines. Eleven out of 13 barangays are located along the Oyon Bay, Masinloc, where some 1,850 marginal fisherfolk live and depend on its marine resources. Oyon Bay, Masinloc covers an area of approximately 7,560 hectares. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) surveys indicate that 37% of the coral reefs in the area are in poor condition. In order to reverse the deteriorating state of the Oyon Bay, Masinloc, the Local Government and the community, in collaboration with NGOs and Peoples Organisations, have jointly established and managed a 127.5 hectare marine sanctuary at the site. A co-management arrangement with DENR was formalised through the Executive Order Proclamation of the whole Oyon Bay, Masinloc as a Protected Seascape. Pursuant to the NIPAS ACT and the local government code. This project will demonstrate enhancement of the state of coral reefs in the municipality through adaptive co-management and community-based Coastal Resources Management.
Project Goal(s):
  1. To sustain and promote co-management of marine sanctuaries aimed at improving the quality of life of coastal communities bordering the South China Sea.
  2. The livelihood opportunities that will be established and implemented are targeted to serve as incentives for reef stewardship.
Project Objective(s):
  1. To demonstrate sustainable community-based management of a network of small marine sanctuaries
  2. To help build local co-management capacities and strengthen law enforcement capabilities of Bantay Dagat (sea wardens) personnel together with the establishment of cooperative coordination systems
  3. To conduct and implement livelihood support mechanisms by determining the potential alternative and/or supplemental livelihood options and establishing appropriate guidelines/policies for reef stewardship
  4. To conduct Information and Education Campaign in order to develop public awareness about environmental issues and concerns through the production of brochures and posters of coastal resources of Masinloc, Zambales and broadcasting knowledge on radio station
Project Activities:
  1. Demonstrating sustainable community-based marine sanctuaries network. Activities will include the establishment of a marine sanctuary and training activities for the local community (e.g., monitoring and evaluation, restocking of giant clams and sea urchin, and coral reef and mangrove rehabilitation). Consultation meetings with PAMB, fisher communities and other stakeholders will be convened. With the assistance of consultants biophysical monitoring of the effects of activities inside and outside (adjacent) the community-based marine sanctuary will be conducted. Socio-economic costs and benefits derived from marine sanctuary co-management will be evaluated. Initial appraisal and detailed benchmarking assessment of the 2 potential additional marine sanctuaries will also be conducted along with public hearings and community consultations as part of management planning and implementation process. Reef fishery and licensing system will also be established and implemented as a mechanism for regulation, information gathering and fisheries management. Fisherfolk will be trained on proper restocking and grow-out methods of marine species such as the giant clams, sea urchins and coral transplantation. Mangrove planting will also be implemented during the project period. Supporting activities will include: monitoring of coral and reef fish abundance inside and outside the sanctuary; construction of a rudimentary jetty for monitoring, eco-tourism and navigational purposes; initial benchmark assessment of two additional marine sanctuaries/reserves; detailed assessment of two (2) additional marine sanctuaries and subsequent participatory monitoring; install mooring buoys for sanctuaries and navigation markers; improving coordinating mechanisms for a network of marine sanctuaries and functional patrolling; reef fishery licensing and implementation and degree of compliance; training on restocking and grow-out methods (e.g. giant clams, sea urchin); training on coral reef rehabilitation methods (e.g. coral transplantation) and transplantation.
  2. Capacity Building. Consultants will undertake orientation and training workshops for crucial stakeholders on the improvement of the proposed network of MPAs. The exchange between the demonstration sites will be promoted by attending MPA network meetings at different adjacent sites. Consultation meetings with the MPA network and advocates will also be conducted. People’s Organisation will be subcontracted to conduct orientation and training for skills development and promote team building for various marine sanctuary management teams. The Bantay Dagat (sea wardens) personnel will undertake legal and paralegal training. Implementation of Information Education Campaign (IEC) will complement law enforcement operations and the capabilities of the Bantay Dagat. Participatory impact evaluation together with performance monitoring and incentive system will be formulated. Public consultation meetings in the community together with the private sector (e.g., National Power Corporation) will be undertaken to forge private-public partnerships together with the local government and National Government Agencies (NGAs). Supporting activities include: team building efforts for various marine sanctuary management teams; legal and paralegal training of Bantay dagat personnel; and strengthening of law enforcement capabilities of Bantay dagat (sea wardens) personnel.
  3. upplemental livelihood linked to the stewardship of the marine sanctuary. Activities that supplement income without compromising the resource base will serve as an incentive for reef stewardship. Initial assessment (scanning and feasibility studies) of the potential alternative livelihood options in the community will be conducted. Pilot implementation of prioritized livelihood after training of fisher stewards in the sanctuaries. Supporting activities include: determination of potential alternative and/or supplemental livelihood options and appropriate guidelines/policies on its implementation; implementation of livelihood projects through priority marine sanctuary stewards; establishment of a marine sanctuary fund; and establishment of the report card and incentive system.
  4. Information Education Campaign. Aside from basic awareness campaigns, education and training materials will be packaged for related coral reef management activities. Brochures, posters, notice boards and videos of the coastal resources of Masinloc, Zambales will be distributed to the public including the local middle school. Specific activities include: production of brochures and posters on the coastal resources of Masinloc, Zambales; installation of permanent notice boards for raising awareness on coral reefs; radiobroadcast of information on coral reef ecosystems and appropriate management actions; preparation of middle school curricula on coral reef ecological management; meetings of Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and Strategic Action Plan for Masinloc; publication of reports on coral reef management in the South China Sea.
Project Output:
  1. Nil reported
Project Outcome:
  1. The co-management of marine sanctuaries at Masinloc.
  2. Maintained health of reefs and their associated ecological goods and services based on participatory impact monitoring and evaluation.
  3. Improved quality life of fisher stakeholders as indicated by an increase in supplemental incomes derived from coral reef stewardship.
  4. Strengthened capacity of governing bodies and stakeholders to comply with policies for monitoring and evaluation.
Additional Documents: No Documents are associated with this Project
Additional Contact:Emerlinda O. Celeste-Dizon
Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc.
Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines
Telephone:(632) 9223959
Fax:(632) 9247678
Email:emerlindaceleste@yahoo.com
URL:http://http://www.unepscs.org/Masinloc,_Philippines_Habitat_Demonstration_Site.html
Project Sponsors:
Funding CategorySourceAmount (USD)
International DonorGlobal Environment Facility118,000
Government In-KindPhilippines Government8,100
GovernmentPhilippines Government247,850
Total Sponsor Donations:$373,950
Project Expenditures: This project has no expenditures registered in the database.
© UNEP/GEF South China Sea Project.