Huntahan: Populasyon at Bakawan: Buhay at Kabuhayan

A research paper entitled Understanding the Impact of Population Increase on Mangrove Productivity was presented for feedbacking to the LGUs and local partners from Northern Lamon Bay at the Walter Hogan Conference Center on September 5, 2008. The research was funded by the Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD). The purpose of the paper is to explore the link between mangrove degradation and population increase in the eight municipalities of Northern Lamon Bay namely Burdeos, Infanta, Jomalig, Mauban, Panukulan Patnanungan, Polillo, and Real. The paper also builds on the findings of a previous paper entitled The Mangrove Forests in Northern Lamon Bay, which identified population increase from migration specifically, as a factor that caused the degradation of the mangrove resources in Northern Lamon Bay.

61 st ISO Anniversary

The ISO commemorated its 61 st Foundation Day on July 21, 2008 at the Walter Hogan Conference Center. The anniversary program was divided into three parts:

1) a Presentation of a video entitled Paglayag.

Paglayag is a video documentary on the life of bantay dagat volunteers in Mauban, Quezon. It was produced by Ms. Katrina Dino as part of her volunteer work with the ISO when she was still an undergraduate student of Development Studies at he Ateneo de Manila University. The video documentary was completed with inputs from Mr. Brian Wright, 2007 Hart Fellow from Duke University.

2) A discussion on the paper for the Grouper Culture Project entitled Suwerte and Diskarte: The experience of the Inter-Island Management Council (IIMC) and ISO in Grouper Culture by Mr. Dennis Calvan.

The paper presentation was followed by a presentation of an instructional video entitled Pagkukultura ng Lapu-lapu: Karanasan ng ISO at IIMC, (Grouper Culture: the ISO and IIMC Experience) produced by Mr. Lorenzo Makalintal. This is a step by step advice on the process of implementing a grouper culture project.

3) A presentation of a video documentary entitled Populasyon at Bakawanan: Buhay at Kabuhayan (Population and Mangroves: Life and Livelihood) which utilized the preliminary data of the paper entitled Understanding the Importance of Population Increase to Mangrove Productivity. The paper and the video documentary was supported through a grant from the Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD). The video presentation was produced by Mr. Lorenzo Makalintal.

The ISO also held a sportsfest on July 22, 2008, to strengthen the team spirit of the different units and program partners of the ISO.

Storytelling and Writing Workshop

A story telling and writing workshop for the children of Mercedes, Camarines Norte has been sponsored by Project AWARE, an Australian-based NGO, and the Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE). The activity was conducted last August 9-10 2008 at the Palms Farm and Resort in Brgy. Cayucyucan in Mercedes, Camarines Norte. A total of 14 storytellers attended the activity. This included 9 college students and 1 professor from La Consolacion College in Naga; 1 teacher, and 33 grade 5 and 6 students from the different public elementary schools in Mercedes. Three CRC volunteers from Mercedes and Manila also participated in the workshop. A total of 10 stories generated for the activity were selected to be part of the in the storybook being developed for publication by the ISO.

Staff Development: Resource Ecological Assessment Training for ISO’s Technical Staff.

The ISO technical staff attended two modules of Resource Ecological Assessment (REA). The training started with a Mangrove Inventory and Assessment Training Workshop conducted by Dr. Celedonio Dapla, Head of the Mangrove Experimental Station in Pagbilao on May 26 - 28, 2008. The session was held in Brgy. Barcelonita in Cabusao, and in Pagbilao, Quezon. Seven (7) ISO staff were oriented in mangrove ecology and the techniques on mangrove inventory.

A second workshop were conducted by Mr. Robert Solar, Senior NRM Specialist of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) to nine (9) staff. The REA training concerned the following topics: 1) Introduction to CBCRM and Participatory REAs, 2) Ecological Assessments, 3) Technical REA on seagrasses, coral reefs, and mangroves, 4) Ecological Analysis and Risk Assessment, 5) MPAs, Sanctuaries, and Reserves, 6) Addressing Livelihood and Aquaculture Issues. The seminar was conducted on August 25-30 in barangay Cayucyucan, Mercedes, Camarines Norte.

Among the staff who attended the REA training by Mr. Robert Solar are two new staff members, namely Ms. Rosechel Cambal, Junior Community Organizer for San Miguel Bay, Ms. Katrina Dino, Junior Community Organizer for Northern Lamon Bay and Mr. Karl Camiling Training and Marketing Assistant.

San Miguel Bay , Bicol Region

IFARMC meetings and resolutions

An IFARMC meeting was held in Tinambac, Camarines Sur last April 10. The LGU of Tinambac hosted the event. In the meeting, concerns on the delineation of municipal waters of 6 contiguous municipalities along San Miguel Bay namely Mercedes, Sipocot, Tinambac, Cabusao, Siruma, and Calabanga were discussed. Issues such as boundary disputes among different municipalities and the formulation of plans implementing an ordinance to address these were also discussed during the consultation workshop facilitated by the ISO last February 21. To date, Cabusao and Calabanga were able to pass ordinances concerning the delineation of municipal waters.

Plans for a San Miguel Bay Development Authority (SMBDA) were proposed by Mr. Charlie Caprecho during an IFARMC-SMB meeting in July. The IFARMC is still studying the viability of the proposal.

Several members of ISO-assisted organizations such as the Inter Island Management Council (IIMC) and the Cabusao Fishers Association (CFA) were also appointed to the newly formed IFARMC-SMB committees. The IIMC President is a member of the Committee on Law Enforcement/ Bantay Dagat; one (1) local community organizer (LCO) in Mercedes is appointed Chairperson of the Rehabilitation and Conservation Committee; and one (1) IIMC and (1) CFA member became a part of the Livelihood Opportunities Committees.

New CB-CRM Project in San Miguel Bay

The ISO will be conducting a project which is being funded Agencia Espanola Cooperacion Internacional y Desarollo (AECID) through the Instituto para Promocion y Apoyo al Desarrollo (IPADE). A memorandum of agreement was signed with them on July of 2008 for their support. The project is aimed at both environmental protection and livelihood support for the fishers in these two areas. The The CBCRM project is being operated in Camarines Sur in barangays Butawanan, Matandang Siruma, Penitan, Vito in Siruma and brgys. Barcelonita, Castillo, Pandan, Sta. Lutgarda in Cabusao. The project also aims to strengthen the Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (IFARMC) in San Miguel Bay.

Community Organization in Cabusao and Siruma

Initial organizing work has begun for these municipalities of Cabusao and Siruma. ISO is in process of strengthening starting with linkaging with the Cabusao Fisheries Association (CFA) as local partner in Cabusao. This organization aims to bring its membership up by 60 members by the end of the year and to increase this by 50% per year.

In Siruma, the ISO has assisted in the formation of the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Matandang Siruma, Penitan Fishery Association, Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Vito and Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Butawanan. The project expects to have 120 fishers as members of these organizations by the end of the project.

Currently, the program is conducting CRM orientations for the community, organizations in both areas and the Cabusao MFARMC.

Along with the ISO’s CB-CRM efforts they will also start a mudcrab culture project that will benefit the fishers in both municipalities. In both areas, the fishers organizations that are being established and/or strengthened will be the ISO’s local partners in conducting these projects. A livelihood revolving fund will also be started up for both areas to complement livelihood support for these areas.

Inter Island Mangement Council (IIMC) Livelihood

The IIMC has an ongoing microfinance project. The IIMC is also implementing a grouper culture project which is at its 4 th cycle since March 2008. To date, IIMC has purchased around 4,500 pieces of grouper fries and 500 tilapia fires from BFAR V for the project.

Ordinance on Unlawful Fishing Paraphernalia in Mercedes

The municipality of Mercedes has passed the Municipal Ordinance No. 159-2006 (Ordinance Declaring Unlawful Various Fishing Paraphernalia) last August 2008. The ordinance aims to prevent the use of active fishing gear in the municipal waters of Mercedes. A series of meetings was conducted with the MFARMC and Bantay Dagat to coordinate the implementation of the ordinance.

Lamon Bay, Quezon Province

IFARMC Lamon Bay

Bay wide Meeting

A baywide IFARMC meeting was conducted on September 10, 2008 in Atimonan, Quezon with 45 participants including MFARMC members, LGU representatives, representatives from the Philippine Navy, Patnubay Development Foundation, the Provincial Coastal Resource Management and Sustainable Development Council (PCRMSDC), and the ISO . A total of three (3) resolutions were passed in support of IFARMC operations and activities. These include details on a coastal cleanup activity, requests for assistance from law enforcement agencies. Besides this, the IFARMC formally accepted the convenorship of the assembly on delineation of municipal waters in Lamon Bay.

Northern Lamon Bay IFARMC Cluster

The Internal Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the IFARMC NLB were finally signed and approved by its members on March 6, 2008. The IRR formalized the duties and responsibilities of the members and leaders of the IFARMC. It also described the roles of the committees and the technical working group to the IFARMC and the conduct of the IFARMC meetings and elections.

A mid year evaluation and planning was also held last July 23 to 24 at the Walter Hogan Conference Center. The activity was attended by Mayor Dante Eusebio of Patnanungan who expressed his continued support for the IFARMC and the Integrated Patrolling team. This highlights the need for further coordination with local chief executives of other municipalities in Northern Lamon Bay to enhance CRM implementation.

The IFARMC of Northern Lamon Bay has authored and facilitated the approval of 10 resolutions for 2008. These resolutions include formalized requests for assistance for law enforcement from the local government and local law enforcement agencies.

CB-CRM in Northern Lamon Bay from Grassroots to Baywide Organizing.

The ISO began efforts for organizing and reorganizing several Fishers Organizations, four (4) in Polillo and six (6) in Real. This project is receiving funding from the Italian Bishops Conference (BCI) to which a Memorandum of Agreement has been signed on May 15, 2008. This move for grassroots organizing has a twofold purpose. Primarily it is to provide a mass base of fishers and fisher organizations for the MFARMCs of those municipalities, and eventually the IFARMC. The second is to manage and pilot test several livelihood projects that will be targeting the municipality of Polillo. The program team in Quezon have been meeting with these organizations since July and have informally identified strengths and weaknesses of each organization as well as their receptiveness to the project.

The organizations in Polillo include Pakatan Pag-asa ng Samahan (PAPASA) of Tamulaya, Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Sibulan (SMMS) from Sibulan, Association of Small Fisherfolks in Barangay Libjo (ASFIL) of Libjo; and PURAGNAS of Bislian.

In Real the targed organizations including the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Real (SAMAMARE), SAMANGCA, KAMANTIG, ALMA SILANGAN, Real Fisherfolks for Christ (RFC) – Ungos Chapter, and Samahan ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda ng Barangay Cawayan (SMMBC).

Livelihood Projects in Polillo

ISO will be initiating livelihood projects for the fisherfolks in the municipality of Polillo. These projects utilize aquasilviculture (utilizing a fishpen) to minimize the impact on the environment and even as a means to repair some of the damage wrought by fishponds on the mangrove areas. A simultaneous assessment/ feasibility study was conducted on all three target areas on July 2008. Fishers organizations will be organized at each of these areas to allow the beneficiaries of these projects to manage them and extract learnings in community organizing.

The first target area is Barangay Tamulaya. The project is an Aquasilviculture Pilot farm for mudcrab culture and is proposed for funding to the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF). A barangay based organization will be formed to better manage this project.

The second area is at Barangay Sibulan with a mudcrab with bangus pen culture project approved for funding by the Assissi Foundation, Inc. The project will be managed by the organization Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Sibulan (SMMS).

Law Enforcement in Northern Lamon Bay

Since July, the Integrated Patrolling Team (IPT) filed one (1) case of Section 88 ( Fishing Through Explosives, Noxious or Poisonous Substance, and/or Electricity), and confiscated 126 kg of fish in Poblacion 61 Real, Quezon during a fish landing operation in August. One (1) case on Section 90 ( Use of Active Gear in the Municipal Waters and Bays and Other Fishery Management Areas) was also filed in September to illegal fishers from Atimonan who used buli-buli (danish seine, an active gear) in Real/Infanta; and confiscated 250kg of fish. The IPT also confiscated 4 kg of fish caught illegally using fine mesh net in Real, this was in connection to a case filed in violation of the Municipal Ordinance last August. Besides this, the IPT seized 110 kg of fish in Infanta that were illegaly caught in violation of the UMFO. The illegal fishers were also penalized with an administrative fine of Php2,500.00.

Fishery Law Enforcement Paper

A paper entitled “Fishery Law Enforcement in Camarines Norte and Quezon”was presented by Mr. Dennis Calvan of the ISO to the International Conference on Philippine Studies (ICOPHIL) last July 25. The research is a consolidation of two papers done by Mr. Dennis Calvan of the Research, Information Management, and Policy Advocacy Unit of the ISO; and Mr. Brian Wright, a 2007 Hart fellow and ISO volunteer from Duke University entitled “Fishery Law Enforcement”and “Community Perceptions of an NGO Facilitated Coastal Management Initiative”, respectively. The first examined people’s perceptions and obedience to the law from a perspective of compliance and deterrence. It examines the efforts by the IFARMC in Northern Lamon Bay and by the Bantay Dagat group in Mercedes, Camarines Norte. The second focuses on the experiences of the communities in ISO project areas and barangay Taba-taba in Basud with CRM activities conducted there.

Grouper Culture Monograph

A paper entitled “Suwerte at Diskarte: The experience of IIMC and ISO in Grouper Culture Project”examining the experience of the Inter Island Management Council (IIMC) and the ISO in implementing a grouper culture project with funding support by the German Doctor’s Inc. was produced. The paper examines these experiences based on a framework of Suwerte (luck) and Diskarte (strategies).

One Mic for Bantay Dagat- A Project of the CRC Circle of Volunteers

The Institute of Social Order (ISO) through its Coral Reef Champions (CRC) Project held an Open Mic and Band Festival last March 7, 2008 at Seventy Seven Bar and Café at Kamuning, Quezon City. Dr. Liza L. Lim, ISO’s Executive Director, welcomed those who came. She explained that the activity aims to raise funds for the law enforcement activities of the Bantay Dagat in Mercedes, Camarines Norte and in Northern Lamon Bay in Quezon. Chikoy Pura of the Jerks and Camera Walls performed as guests artists. Eight (8) bands took the stage to compete. Plug Pull and Easter Coaster won the 1 st and 2 nd prize, respectively. Lambanog, a native wine, made up of juice from nipa tree, which is mostly found in mangrove areas, was promoted during the event. It is a product of export quality from the Municipality of Mauban in Quezon.

The activity also served as an opportunity to introduce the environmental programs and advocacies of different institutions. Mr. Dennis F. Calvan, ISO’s Research and Advocacy Officer, encouraged the crowd to explore the coastal communities not entirely for recreation but also for immersion. This way, people can better understand the plight of the fisherfolks in the country. On one hand, Mr. Stanley Yu of the NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR) reminded the crowd that the fisherfolks took hard time to catch fish in order to be served at the table. According to him, it is fitting to praise them for their hard work and endurance despite the threats and pressures they are facing.

The activity was made possible through the efforts of the CRC Circle of Volunteers headed by Ms. Katrina Dino. They are closely supervised by Ms. Norie Japon and Ms. Mary Anne Baniya. The activity will not be successful if not for the support of individual and corporate sponsors such as Mr. Jerry Liu, Ms. Felicidad Sta. Maria and AB Capital, among others.

ISO Joins Inter-Faith Rally

In solidarity with all the groups and individuals who wanted to know the truth about the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal, the ISO joined the Inter-Faith Rally last February 29, 2008 at Makati Avenue. Here is ISO’s statement on the issue.

NGOs and POs Conduct Consultations in Lamon and San Miguel Bays

A consultation on the delineation of municipal waters was held last February 19-20, 2008 in Fresh Air in Lucena City. More than 70 participants, mostly Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members and fisherfolk leaders, attended the consultation. They came from the coastal municipalities along Lamon and Tayabas Bays. The consultation facilitated the dialogue between and among contiguous municipalities in order to consolidate their efforts to delineate and delimit their municipal waters. Prior to the consultation, some groups thought that the municipal waters of the coastal municipalities in the Quezon Province were already delineated. However, representatives from the local government units certified that they have no knowledge of any delineation in their respective areas. As a result, the participants planned to start the process of the delineation. The Quezon Provincial Agriculture Office would ask copies of the table maps from NAMRIA in behalf of the LGUs. After the consultations, follow-up activities were conducted. For instance, municipalities of Polillo, Perez and Mauban held a dialogue last March 17, 2008 to explore the possibility of joint delineation to resolve their boundary disputes over Balesin Island. Discussions will also be held between Burdeos and Panukulan to settle their dispute over Brgy Rizal. The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement-Quezon was the convenor of the consultation in Lamon and Tayabas Bays. It was assisted by the members of the Technical Working Group, which is composed of the IFARMC in Lamon Bay, MAMAMAYAN-PAKISAMA and the ISO.

On the other hand, a consultation was held last February 21, 2008 between the seven municipalities along San Miguel Bay. The activity was conducted in Villa Caceres Hotel and Restaurant in Naga City. More than 30 participants attended the activity. They are mostly SB members, representatives from the Municipal Planning Development Office and Municipal Agriculture Office and fisherfolk leaders. The activity facilitated the understanding among the participants of the status and process of delineation in San Miguel Bay. Engr. Enrique Macaspac of NAMRIA assisted in the resolution of disputed territorial boundaries between the Municipalities of Daet, Mercedes and Siruma. On the other hand, Mr. Manny Paterno of the Hayuma Foundation explained the principles of fisheries management units and fish management framework. The ISO was the convenor of the consultation in San Miguel Bay.

These activities were initiated by the NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR), of which the ISO is an active member.

ISO and PCPD Inks Partnership for Northern Lamon Bay

The ISO and the Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD) inked partnership to conduct a research and advocacy project entitled ‘Understanding the Impact of Increase in Population to Mangrove Productivity’. The project aims to conduct research to establish the relationship of population growth and decline of mangrove productivity. The research results shall be popularized into information materials to influence public opinion on these issues.

In relation to this, an Enumerator’s Training was conducted last January 21-22, 2008 at the ISO. Around 25 participants, mostly representatives of the Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (IFARMC) of Northern Lamon Bay and Barangay Health Workers, attended the training. They will assist the ISO in administering survey questionnaires to the eight municipalities including: Real, Infanta, Mauban, Panukulan, Polillo, Burdeos, Jomalig and Patnanungan.

Several speakers were invited to share their insights about population growth and its relation to the environment and development. Fr. John J. Carroll, S.J. of the Institute on Church and Social Issues (ICSI) gave a comprehensive explanation of the Catholic Church’s perspective on the issue of population growth. On the other hand, Ms. Milagros Rivera of the Institute for Reproductive Health offered Natural Family Planning as a means to address population growth. Ms. Kalayaan Pulido Constantino briefly discussed the legislative agenda that promote responsible parenthood at the Philippine Congress. In terms of understanding tabular analysis, Dr. Liza Lim of ISO explained how descriptive statistical analysis is undertaken.

Initial research was conducted in the Municipalities of Real, Infanta, Panukulan, Burdeos and Polillo in the first quarter of the year. This will be continued in the Municipality of Mauban in April and Municipalities of Patnanungan and Jomalig in May. The results of the research shall be presented to the local government units, Municipal FARMC, IFARMC and other partner organizations.