ISO holds a Mini-Conference on CCA-DRR

A mini-conference on climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) was held at the Walter Hogan Conference Center of the ISO last February 1, 2013. 

Here, the results of the ISO's CCA-DRR study entitled "Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment of Climate Change Induced Hazards: A Case Study on Select Fisherfolks' Communities in San Miguel Bay" were presented to representatives of the local governments of Mercedes, Camarines Norte and Cabusao and Siruma, Camarines Sur. This was particularly attended by the LGU staff directly involved in DRR efforts of their respective municipalities such as, among others, the Municipal DRR Officer (MDRRMO), Municipal Agriculturist (MAO), Chief of Police, and members of the Disaster Response Team. Hon. Nebb Santiago of Cabusao graced the event. The event was also attended by guests and observers from 6 fisherfolks' organizations in San Miguel Bay; members of the Municipal and Integrated FARMCs in San Miguel Bay and Lamon Bay; and representatives from the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) and the MDRRMO of Infanta.

In addition, Mr. Dennis Calvan, Executive Director of the NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR), presented a national situationer that elucidates the link between climate change and the fisherfolks sector. This was followed by a presentation by Ms. MagsCatindig, Regional Coordinator of Phildhrra-Luzon, wherein she oriented the participants on how to conduct a Community-based Risk Registry, which is a participatory tool that valuates risk at the local level. In relation to this, Phildhrra-Luzon in 2012 trained the ISO on how to conduct the said tool in its program areas. The tool was used in the ISO study mentioned above.

This event was made possible by the support of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID) and Fundacion IPADE. The study is part of the AECID's overall Convenio Program being implemented in the Philippines from 2007 to 2013.

Learning Session on GIS with PAFID and PhilDHRRA

The Institute of Social Order together with Phildhrra-Luzon attended a learning session on GIS mapping given by the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development, Inc (PAFID). Mapping experts Mr. Dave de Vera and Ms. KailZingapan oriented 5 ISO staff and 2 Phildhrra-Luzon staff on how to further enhance both institutions' participatory mapping techniques and maximize the capabilities of Quantum GIS. 

The ISO will apply the techniques learned from the activity in its current mapping initiatives particularly on participatory disaster risk assessment and participatory coastal and resource ecological assessment. 

The ISO extends its appreciation to PAFID for accommodating the training, and Phildhrra-Luzon for coordinating the said event held last January 18, 2013 at PAFID's headquarters in Quezon City.

Invitation to Bid

The Institute of Social Order through its Bids and Awards committee invites bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the construction of 3 water system facilities in Bicol. Click on this link for more details (pdf).

ISO at 64

The Institute of Social Order celebrated its 64 th Founding Anniversary last August 2 and 3, 2011. This was attended by several of the Institute’s partners in its coastal resource management program in Lamon and San Miguel Bays, which include representatives from the local government and fisherfolks sector. This was also attended by fellow development practitioners from IPADE, Manila Observatory, Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC), NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR), De La Salle Philippine’s Green for LIFE, and SPACFI-Daet.

The two-day event, which was held at the ISO’s Walter Hogan Conference Center, covered the following activities:

 DRRM Awareness Forum

The Institute kicked off its celebration by facilitating an orientation on disaster risk reduction. Mr. Alexander Nayve Local Regional Coordinator in Bicol for IPADE gave a briefer on the salient features of the Philippines Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act of 2012 (R.A. 10121). Steps to effectively set-up a DRRM Council at the barangay level were also discussed comprehensively. The activity became a venue for participants to share their experiences in DRRM at the local level.

Mr. Nayve is currently the IPADE’s Local Coordinator in the Bicol Region. He is currently taking up graduate studies on Disaster Risk Management at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture.

Two climate change studies presented

The Institute through its Research, Information, and Technology Development (RITD) Unit presented the highlights of its two on-going studies on climate change.

The first paper, entitled Climate Change Risk Analysis in Cabusao, Camarines Sur, was presented by the Institute’s consultant, Engr. Glen Banaguas. The paper is a replication of Engr. Banaguas’ award winning climate change study on Marikina City’s experience on Typhoon Ondoy in 2010. In the study, a mathematical model was used to simulate the possible number of climate change related hazards that could hit Cabusao in a year. Calculations were done to yield the optimum risk per hazard in terms of casualties from affected population. The study also looked into the budget allocated for disaster risk management by the local government unit of Cabusao as it relates to risk values as well as frameworks that could address gaps at the local level in terms of adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies.

The second paper, entitled Comparative Analysis of Vulnerabilities and Adaptive Capacities to Climate Change Hazards in Cabusao, Camarines Sur, was presented by Ms. Marie Alum A. de la Rosa and Mr. Lorenzo Makalintal of the Institute’s Research Unit. The study served to heighten the awareness of community members to climate change-related hazards. It determined the vulnerable areas in the community and the local mechanisms installed in them as they cope with climate change induced hazards. The study is ISO’s a pioneer work in mapping out the vulnerable zones at three tiers of governance namely purok, barangay, and municipal levels using GIS, community and CBMS data. This is very timely since majority of the study sites have not been able to generate their own hazard maps. The study also documented best practices in the community as they cope with disasters and reduce risks to such. This can be used as a baseline in reviewing installed interventions and crafting future community-based climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management strategies, particularly at the barangay level.

Mr. Nayve of IPADE NFR’s Executive Director Mr. Dennis Calvan, and Infanta, Quezon’s municipal mayor Hon. Filipina Grace America composed the panel of reactors. The said studies are part of a multi-phase research of the Institute on climate change. These are being supported by the Spanish Government through the AECID and Fundacion IPADE’s banner program entitled Strengthening Local Partnerships for Integrated Coastal Resource Management and Sustainable Livelihood Development, which is being implemented in the country.

Service of ISO staff recognized

Part of the ISO’s 64 th anniversary is the conduct of a Parangal, whereby the accomplishment of staff members in their service to the Institute isrecognized. The awardees include staff members who are now on their 5 th year of service in the institution. These include:

• Felino J. Gutierrez, Jr. (Program Coordinator for the CRM Projects in Quezon)
• Rollie D. Manuel (Services Division, Utilities staff)
• Felisa D. Sanchez (Services Division, Coordinator)

Six staff members were also recognized for their exemplary performance for the year 2010. These include:

• Liza L. Lim (Executive Director)
• Emmeline S. Ceas (PDM Coordinator)
• Nestor C. Garcia (Services Division, Driver/ Messenger)
• Ernesto P. Moraleda, Jr. (Services Division, Utilities staff)
• Juanilo A. Salinas (Services Division, Utilities staff/ Gardener)
• Felisa D. Sanchez (Services Division, Coordinator)

Trainings for Environmental Monitoring in SMB conducted

The Institute of Social Order conducted a series of capacity building activities on environmental assessment and monitoring for its staff and local partners in San Miguel Bay, Camarines Provinces. These training activities upgraded the skills of the participants in monitoring coastal resources for any changes in their condition to better inform program implementation.

Last June 15 to 17, five ISO staff were trained on coral reef assessment using the line intercept transect (LIT) method. Two members of the BFAR-V's technical dive team were requested to serve as resource persons for the training, which was conducted in Siruma, Camarines Sur. The ISO Dive Team was able to do an LIT practicum on Butawanan and Penitan Bays.

The following personnel were trained:

• Ferdinand Cruz – Coordinator of the CRM program in Bicol
• Arielito Nunez – Community Organizer of the CRM program in Bicol
• Rosechel Cambal – Community Organizer Solid Waste Management Program in Bicol
• Marie Alum de la Rosa – Research and Information Management Coordinator
• Lorenzo Makalintal – Information Management Officer

As a follow on to the above activity, the Institute facilitated a five-day training on Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment - Resource Ecological Assessment (PCRA-REA). This was held from September 19 to 24, 2011 at the Palms Beach Resort at barangay Cayucyucan, Mercedes, Camarines Norte. The said training was attended by selected ISO staff and local partners, composed of Municipal Agriculturist (MAs), Agricultural Technologist (ATs), and fisherfolk leaders from the 7 municipalities of San Miguel Bay namely Mercedes and Basud of Camarines Norte; and Sipocot, Cabusao, Calabanga, Tinambac and Siruma of Camarines Sur. They were trained to conduct fisheries profiling using different PCRA techniques; and REA methods such as mangrove inventory, manta tow technique, fish visual census, and LIT. They can now serve as key persons in doing the fisheries profiles of their respective localities.

Integrated Patrolling Teams Series of Trainings

The Integrated Patrolling Team (IPT) of San Miguel and Lamon Bays attended a series of training activities that improved their capacity for fishery law enforcement. Special attention was given to the process of apprehension, particularly in the gathering of evidences and the standard procedure for the filing of cases against illegal fishers.

A coaching session on the legal procedures in the filing violation cases on fishery laws was conducted to 20 members of the IPT on May 24 at the Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU). This was facilitated by Fiscal Esperidion Solano, who is currently the assistant provincial prosecutor in the Province of Camarines Sur. The sessions discussed the important considerations in taking/ gathering evidence; acting as witness in court proceedings and presenting evidence in court. Topics on the procedures in making arrests, the difference between proof and evidence, and gathering evidences that can be used for making warrants were also discussed extensively.

Another training activity is the GPS Operation, Mapping and Plotting Certification Training conducted last June 29 to July 1, 2011. This was conducted by Engineer Mario Princer and Andro Ching of NAMRIA. The session taught them procedures on data collection; how to operate the GPS; and plot collected data in a map/ chart. The mapping session served to improve the quality of evidence gathered by the Bantay Dagat that they file to court. In addition, this allowed the participants to take part in the actual municipal waters’ delineation/ delimitation and coastal terminal points (CTP) validation of island-municipalities.

Finally, new members of the San Miguel Bay Integrated Patrol Team (SMB-IPT) attended a three- day Fishery Law Enforcement and Para-legal Training last June 23 to 25. This was held in Mercedes, Camarines Norte. A total of 39 participants from 5 municipalities in SMB completed the training. Resources persons included Mr. Francisco Ombao of BFAR V and Ms. Rowelia de los Reyes of the OMA of Mercedes. Hon. Nebb Santiago of Municipal Mayor of Cabusao and Mr. Edmundo Guisic of the Municipal Council member and head of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment, and Edna Balane, Municipal Agriculturist of Cabusao attended the activity and pledged their support to fishery law enforcement. The municipal mayor deputized 19 participants recommendation of the trainers.

Stewardship, Accountability and Common Good

Values formation sessions on Stewardship, Accountability and Common Good were conducted by Bro. Henrico “Tootsie” de los Santos, SJ and Bro. Robbie Paraan, SJ in Siruma, Camarines Sur and Polillo, Quezon. The members of ISO-assisted fisherfolk organizations in attendance received a workshop on discernment in the hope of helping them with decisions that they have to make in their daily lives, and in their work in coastal resource management. The formation session was also given to the members of the San Miguel Bay Integrated Patrolling Team. Through this, the IPT was reminded of their greater role in the community beyond law enforcement, which is educating the community on environmental protection and stewardship, as well as making them aware of the ill effects of illegal fishing practices on the environment.

Climate Change Research in San Miguel Bay

Climate change has been affecting the efforts of development practitioners, ISO included, in the field of coastal resource management. More importantly, however, the impacts of climate change are being concretely felt on the ground – by the thousands of fishing families along the coasts. In light of these, the ISO is now in the process of studying the risks and impacts of climate change to these communities to climate change, alongside to how the ISO’s CRM interventions in the area will have to adjust to such conditions.

Last February 10-12, 2011, the ISO’s Research Unit visited the 9 barangays of the municipality of Cabusao, Camarines Sur to know more about how coastal communities are being affected by climate change and other extreme events. Climate change hazards such as tropical cyclones, flooding, and drought will be assessed, and risks associated with these will be valuated using a computational model. Engr. Glen Banaguas, who is an expert in climate systems modeling, will share his expertise on risk assessment using the Monte Carlo method of simulation.

The study is being piloted in Cabusao in close coordination with the Municipal Agriculture and Municipal Planning and Development Offices of the municipality. This is part of the ISO’s program in the Bicol Region entitled “ Strengthening Local Partnerships for Integrated Coastal Resource Management and Sustainable Livelihood Development”, which is also part of AECID and IPADE’s large scale Convenio Program in Asia.

Ongoing Livelihood Projects

Alongside efforts in managing mangrove resources in Lamon Bay, the ISO has several livelihood development projects that are mangrove-based in Polillo, Quezon. One of these is a mudcrab project being in Brgy. Tamulaya, Polillo, which is a partnership with Pakatan: Pag-asa ng Samahang Tamulaya – Anibong (PPSTA), which is a local fisherfolks’ organization in Polillo. This utilizes aquasilviculture, a kind of culture technology that has minimal impacts on the natural mangrove environment. Started in the last quarter of 2009 with funding from the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc (PTFCFI), the project is now on its 4 th cycle of implementation.

Meanwhile in Brgy. Sibulan, Polillo, the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Sibulan (SMMS) is continuing with their rice and animal feeds retail store with assistance from the Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI). This was started in January 2010 and is continuing to this day selling goods at affordable prices. Similarly in Brgy. Libjo, the Association of Small Fisherfolks in Libjo (ASFFIL) is also currently engaged in a rice retailing project.

In San Miguel Bay, the ISO has set-up a loan revolving fund catering to five fishers’ associations in the municipalities of Cabusao and Siruma in Camarines Sur. These include the Cabusao Fishers’ Association (CFA), the Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Butawanan (SMB), the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Matandang Siruma (SMMMS), and the Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Penitan (SMP). To date, a total of 127 beneficiaries from these FOs are participating in the said project. On the other hand, the CFA and the CMMMS started operating a wholesale and retail store last December 2010 and January 2010, respectively. All of these livelihood projects are being funded by AECID in coordination with Fundacion IPADE.

Mangrove Nursery and Reforestation

As part of its mangrove conservation and management efforts, the ISO has reforested a total of 7.5 ha of mangrove area in Burdeos and Polillo, Quezon and Cabusao, Camarines Sur.

In Polillo and Burdoes, the ISO alongside with the Pakatan: Pag-asa ng Samahang Tamulaya – Anibong (PPSTA), Association of Small Fisherfolks in Libjo (ASFFIL), and Samahan ng Mangingisda ng San Rafael (SMSR), has established mangrove nurseries in three baranagays namely Tamulaya and Libjo in Polillo, and San Rafael in Burdeos. Seedlings from these nurseries are used in their reforestation efforts in the area. To date, a total of 6.5 ha of mangrove area have been planted since 2009.

Meanwhile in Cabusao, the ISO has planted a total of 1 ha of mangrove area in collaboration with the Cabusao Fishers’ Association (CFA) since late 2009.

S.C.U.B.A. Training for ISO Staff

Four ISO staff underwent a CMAS One Star dive certification course last March9 to 13, 2011. Pool training was held at Dive Republic in Don Antonio Heights, QC, while open-water dive was done at Anilao, Mabini, Batangas. The dive master of the said course is Mr. Benedict Reyes, President of the Philippine Finswimming Federation, Inc. (PFFI). The training course was made possible with support from the AECID. Ms. Laia Reverter, the AECID’s IPADE Coordinator to the Philippines, observed the said activity. To date, the ISO has 7 staff who are licensed S.C.U.B.A. divers. They will be further trained in coral gardening, fish visual census, and advanced techniques in coral reef assessment, among others.