The Philippines'
BLUE ENVIRONMENT

Some facts and figures...

1. How long is the Philippine coastline?

The Philippine coastline is 36,289 km long, with approximately 60% of the population residing within the 832 coastal municipalities. The coastal or marine ecosystem—which include the coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass—of the Philippines are some of the most productive and biologically diverse in the world.
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The Philippine's production of fish—a major source of protein for Filipinos—is steadily declining, threatening the country's food security. This is brought about by overfishing, destructive fishing activities, and deteriorating coastal habitats. About 70% of coral reefs have been degraded; only 138,000 hectares of the country's 450,000 has of mangroves are in healthy condition. The Philippines is part of the highest marine biodiversity areas in the world but is at the greatest risk.

EcoGov's CRM Sector aims to alleviate the situation by assisting local government units (LGUs) or cluster of LGUs to improve the management of their coastal resources. CRM outcomes have been constrained by poor environmental governance, such as poor information feedback and timely advice, low accountability of decision-makers and lack of participation by stakeholders.

Targets

EcoGov is assisting local LGUs in putting 106,700 hectares of coastal areas under improved management. This means these areas will be placed under legitimized fisheries/CRM plans and there is an annual LGU budget allocation for CRM. In addition, resource management organizations shall have been formed and made functional in these areas, and good practices in CRM and/or fisheries management are being implemented. Also, 20 new marine sanctuaries shall be established, covering at least 400 hectares; while 50 existing marine sanctuaries (covering 2,500 hectares) shall be put under improved management.

Strategies

EcoGov focuses on issues of coastal law enforcement, fishery effort regulation, management of marine sanctuaries and networks, mangrove and foreshore management, and management of other coastal zones. It uses a baywide/ ecosystem approach to build institutional economies of scale and to support biodiversity conservation and improve fisheries management. We are building networks and inter-LGU alliances for coastal/fisheries law enforcement and marine sanctuary management in Baler Bay, the Camotes Sea, Illana Bay, and Sibugay Bay to expand program impact and create more potential for financing schemes. This is supported by the use of innovative and science-based communication and decision support tools such as FISH BE, a decision-making tool for LGUs that evaluates the impact of intervention options on various aspects of fishery management.

CRM short stories

• EcoGov supports a RARE encounter: Potential cadre of social marketing campaign managers in coastal communities
• EcoGov Active Participant in “3rd East Asian Seas Congress and Ministerial Forum”: Memorandum of Understanding Signed to Promote Collaboration
• Local governments converge to learn about financing good environmental projects
• Forum for Dumalinao Mariculture Park in Zamboanga del Sur draws interest from various investors
• Governance incentives program takes off in Cebu
• Dinas launches Islam-inspired local ordinance on mangrove conservation
• EcoGov-assisted municipalities win top awards at National MPA Recognition Event
• BATMan watches over key biodiversity areas
• Sea turtle appearance pleases coastal resource advocates
• Big boost for Davao Gulf conservation: Samal resort owners back move to require environment fees
• Cebu starts province-wide environmental enhancement program
• Coastal town gears up for greater role in environmental management through Al Khalifa
• MSU System’s curricula, programs to introduce Islamic perspectives in environmental governance
• USAID Mission Director, Samal City Mayor commit support to help protect Davao Gulf's biodiversity
• Western Mindanao fisherfolk go for ecologically-sound seaweeds cultivation
• Endangered soft-shelled turtle resurfaces in Quirino Province
• Network of marine protected areas set in Bohol sea
• Summer Sea Camp promotes coastal protection among Basilan youth leaders
• Mindanao State University adopts Islamic environmental sourcebook
• US Ambassador keynotes CRM summit; adopted as Princess of Goodwill of ZamboSur's Subanen Tribe
• Davao City adds muscle to coastal protection
• Danao City inaugurates million-peso marine sanctuary guardhouse
• State of the coasts spurs Zamboanga del Sur LGUs to boost protection efforts
• Alcoy is learning stop for international biodiversity workshop
• Mayors will make sure bounties of Davao Gulf are sustained
• League of Municipalities of the Philippines cites partnership with USAID EcoGov2 Project during live telecast
• Coastal management wins as Zamboanga Sibugay towns learn from each other
• USAID Mission Director released Hawksbill Turtle in Punta Dumalag
• Tungawan cited for good marks in coastal management
• Sarangani youth pitch in for the environment
• Lake Lanao to be nursed back to health
• Committed to saving the bounties of the sea
• USAID experts recorgnized for showing how marine resources can be sustained
• Davao City wants to keep the turtles coming
• Multi-faith initiative to save Maasim mangrove forest
• Camotes LGUs adopt three-in-one approach to marine sanctuary management
• Journalists work hand-in-hand with Muslim and Christian villagers in mangrove planting
• USAID releases Al Khalifa (The Steward) Environmental Sourcebook with Islamic Perspective
• Lamitan marks Earth Day in a big way
• Protecting Illana Bay Marine Resources through community initiatives
• Davao City Mayor issues EO to manage coastal resources
• Araw ng Sibugays celebrates the environment
• Muslim leaders endorse environment sourcebook
• Islanders make big move to secure their life source
• Maranaos unite to save Lake Lanao
• Annual implementation review of USAID’s SO4 projects
• Negros Oriental signs landmark pact for the environment
• Protecting coastal resources can be fun
• Community sets up marine sanctuary in Basilan
• Mangrove planting in Baler, Aurora is cooperative effort
• Multisectoral group take concrete steps to protect the seas
• Marine protected area paves the way for peace and reconciliation
• Inter-LGU fisheries enforcement team completes plan to protect Illana Bay
• EcoGov-assisted Western Mindanao towns serve as model sites for coastal resource management
• Future of Camotes marine resources in the hands of kids
• Two marine sanctuaries established in Basilan
• Improving governance of coastal and marine resources: 5 Cebu LGUs learn from their Bohol counterparts
• Araw ng Zamboanga Sibugay focuses on the environment
• Camotes Sea LGUs to jointly protect marine resources
• Alliance of LGUs re-affirms commitment to protect Illana Bay
• Local fish wardens intensify law enforcement: Five illegal fishers caught in Baler Bay
• DENR to mull over idea of letting LGUs manage conservation areas
• Breaking grounds towards inter-LGU collaboratiaon to protect Camotes Sea
• EcoGov, DENR team conducts initial activity with Davao partners
• Healthier reefs mean more fish--Networking of marine protected areas help accelerate coral reef ecosystem benefits
• Aiming for the future
• Illana Bay LGUs get fisheries law enforcement training
• Aurora Bay_wide Inter-LGU Fisheries Management Gains Ground

CRM success stories

• Dinalungan finds way to facilitate fishery registration: One-stop-shop approach makes it easy for fisherfolk to register
• Four municipalities along Baler Bay increase CRM budget: LGUs strengthen bay-wide law enforcement efforts
• Co-managing a marine park: Two barangays in Camotes Islands join forces to protect common marine resources
• Making inter-LGU cooperation work: Concerted efforts by Illana Bay LGUs boost fisheries law enforcement

CRM Reports and Publications
(Click here for more CRM Reports and Publications)