The Bataan Integrated Coastal Management Program that is being implemented by the Province of Bataan, in partnership with the Bataan Coastal Care Foundation, Inc. and the UNDP/Partnership for Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia or PEMSEA who are extending us technical assistance in our program formulation and implementation.

 
        The Project Management Office with consultation with the Project Coordinating Committee or PCC supervises the BICMP. Hand in hand with the private sector, the BCCFI, the Provincial Government has worked to establish the necessary institutional arrangements for the efficient implementation of the BICMP.

          We have set up the Bataan Integrated Coastal Management Council (Figure 1) that is composed of the executive and line agencies. The BICMC shows how the public – private partnership work together to mobilize support from communities and other key groups in resolving problems about coastal management.

          The BICMC also represents the collective wisdom and experiences of different stakeholders that sets the direction of the ICM program to move ahead.

The Project Management Office acts as the secretariat and sets the plans and projects in motion to sustain the implementation of the Bataan Integrated Coastal Management Program:

•We have worked to put in place the human and financial resources including the training and capacity building of PMO personnel and the Technical Working Group;

•We have helped develop the annual workplan and budgetary requirements;

•We continue to monitor the progress of our projects and evaluate them accordingly; and most importantly,

•We keep close coordination with our stakeholders through regular dialogues and consultation meetings.

One of the major accomplishments of BICMP is the formulation and publication of Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy. The BSDS is a proclamation of vision and mission of the people of Bataan to chart a

The BSDS was done by PMO with assistance from BCCFI, PEMSEA and the TWG being created by Gov. Garcia, which is compose of PPDO, PG-ENRO, OPA, TOURISM and MPDC’s.

The BSDS underwent a series of municipal consultation. A provincial level integrated workshop was also held to consolidate the result of municipal level consultations.

The BSDS aims to formulate common and shared vision in utilizing, managing, protecting and conserving Bataan’s natural resources and cultural heritage as well as transboundary links to Manila Bay.

And workout an implementable and achievable “coastal resources management approaches”. That will serve as framework to realize the common vision.

Another major accomplishment of BICMP is the formulation of Coastal Land and Sea Use Zoning Plan for Bataan. This was also done by PMO with the assistance from BCCFI, PEMSEA and the TWG. It also undergoes a series of workshop consultation and review from all stakeholders.

The CLSUZP is one of the action plans stated in the BSDS that will certainly contribute to the realization of stated vision and mission of the people of Bataan for the proper utilization, management and protection of our coastal environment.

Our CLSUZ Plan is the first of its kind here in the Philippines. So, we really have something to be proud of in coming out with this kind of plan that has gone through a series of workshops, consultations and review from all stakeholders.

Another major factor in the realization of this plan is the funding that came from the Manila Bay Environmental Management Project and the technical expertise provided by PEMSEA.

We have also presented the CUZ Plan to the MB-PCC on November 13, 2006, wherein Sec. Angelo Reyes of the DENR and Gov. Garcia were also present. The MB-PCC commended the work that we have done and adopted the plan to be replicated to other coastal cities/towns and provinces.

On December 4, 2006, the PMO presented the CUZ Plan to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. A unanimous decision to adopt it was made through the motion of Hon. Edgardo Calimbas, thus Resolution No. 155 was created.

The Coastal Land- and Sea-use Zoning Plan provide well-defined and distinct uses of different zones in the coastal area. These zones are classified and designated as to their level of development, utilization and/or its abundance and scarcity of resources.

The CLSUZP will also serve to protect the designated use of coastal zones and it’s resources and will reduce adverse environmental impacts of certain coastal activities natural or man made that caused damage to our marine and coastal areas.

•Agricultural zone

•Built-up Area Zone

•Mangrove & Mudflat Protection Zone

•Traditional Fishing Zone

•Seagrass Restoration & Protection Zone

•Aquaculture zone

•Industrial Zone

•Tourism (recreation, cultural & eco-tourism) Zone

•Coral reef Restoration & Protection Zone

•Sanctuaries (birds, marine, turtles & fish) Zone

•Municipal Fishing Zone

•Shipping & Navigation Zone

Other parts of the CUZ Plan includes the review of existing uses of the coastal area, the regulatory scheme and a template of ordinances to be implemented in the municipality/province.

    Launching of CLSUZP during the PCC meeting.

        
The last mangrove planting was conducted in Bgys. Balut, Pilar and in Camachile, Orion for which around 3,000 volunteers planted 25,000 of seedlings/propagules.

       
  Mangrove area in Brgy. Balut, Pilar
              

We all know that mangrove areas are important habitats for fish, crabs, shellfish and other crustaceans. One problem we have here in the province is the diminishing number of “bakawan” due to illegal cutting, encroachment of aquaculture industry, and illegal settling, to name a few.

Our annual coastal clean-up activity is now on its 8^th year! We have invited thousands of volunteers from all walks of life to join us, all coastal barangays have participated and about 55% of inland barangays have been involved since we started Kontra Kalat sa Dagat in 1999.

About 400 metric tones of garbage have been collected and approximately 5,000 volunteers have joined in our activity.

                                                                                                                                               Coastal clean-up in Brgy, Pag-asa

Through alternative livelihood programs and financial intervention, we were able to encourage our constituents to turn away from engaging in destructive and illegal fishing activities. Beyond providing livelihood support, they will have skills training on processing of marine products, plus empowerment through the stewardship of critical coastal resources.

The province has embarked on a wide-ranging program in illegal fishing as part of the strategy. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed among key agencies and sectors in the province, and a task force was established to ensure the stricter implementation of laws and ordinances. The anti- illegal fishing campaign also involved extending legal support to volunteers, procurement of patrol boats and other equipment to enhance capacity of task forces, members and utilization of new technology, such as mobile phones as instrument of justice.

Gov. Enrique T. Garcia, Jr. have mentioned, time and again, that he is confident to put a stop to illegal fishing. We can achieve this because of the provision in RA 8550, known as the 1988 Phil. Fisheries Code, which provide among other things, that vessels, equipment, nets and other paraphernalia apprehended engaged in illegal fishing such as blasting and cyanide can be impounded for the duration of the case filed against it. This will curb illegal fishing such as trawl, buli-buli, sudsod, etc. Cong. Abet Garcia of the Second District has already filed a bill to make it applicable to all forms of illegal fishing and this can be easily replicated to other areas in the country.

                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                           Illegal commercial fishing vessel:
                                                                                                                                                    Danish sail or buli-buli

In terms of rehabilitating environmental resources, we will pursue projects focusing on reforestation and watershed protection, especially the two mountain groups in both districts of Bataan. This will also involved dredging of river systems for riverbank stabilization.

We have also extended our assistance in the deployment of 10 modules of artificial reefs in the coastal area of Alas-asin, Mariveles. Total Philippines Corp., Liquigaz and the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) jointly undertook this project in coordination with BFAR and Municipality of Mariveles.

                                                Artificial reef project in Bgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles.

We have also launched the SINOP KALAT, LINGAP DAGAT PROGRAM. This program is a joint undertaking of Bataan Provincial Government, Bataan Coastal Care Foundation, and Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) in coordination with Municipal and Barangay Level of Govt.

         This project institutionalizes the continuous efforts of the BICMP in environmental management and protection by assigning NSTP students of BPSU in selected coastal barangays. The students will conduct cleanup drives and mangrove planting activities with the assistance of the community.

Future plans of SKLD include distribution of trashcans to coastal barangays for proper waste management.

·  Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy

·  Manila Bay Oil Spill Contingency Plan

·  Integrated Environmental Management Plan

·  Environmental Resource Valuation

·  Environmental Atlas: Manila Bay Area

In line with MB Oil Spill Contingency Plan, the Province of Bataan will also create its own emergency response team because we are considered a high-risk area with the presence of Petron Bataan Refinery, Total Phils., UniOil Petroleum Phils., and other industrial companies in Limay and Mariveles.

It will reflect the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and offices in immediate response to oil spill incidence.

Gov. Garcia, PA de Mesa and PMO staff with students from the World Maritime University, Sweden.

Members of the PCC went on a 2-day educational field trip last January 2006 to the mangrove reforestation program of Mirant Philippines Foundation in Pagbilao, Quezon to gain more knowledge for proper protection and management of our mangrove areas.

Dubbed as the Carbon Sink Initiative, this program is considered a showcase in the country of properly caring for and nurturing the mangroves. It also features how communities have benefited not only in enriching the environment, with 17 species of mangrove, but in sustaining their livelihood through their active involvement in the program.

        The Global Environmental Facility, the United Nations Development Programme (GEF/UNDP) and PEMSEA conducted a 1-day terminal evaluation of the ICM program we have here in Bataan on March 2006. Their itinerary included a field visit to the mangrove nursery in Orion, a meeting with the PCC for presentation of the ICM activities, courtesy call to Gov. Garcia and another field visit to the Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong.

Dr. Habito and Dr. Kullenberg with PA de Mesa during the PCC meeting in Balanga City.

          Drs. Cielito Habito and Gunnar Kullenberg were quite impressed and happy to see that we are doing far greater than other ICM sites considering that we are a parallel site of PEMSEA. Meaning that we do not receive funding from the GEF, just technical assistance from PEMSEA. Funding for the BICMP comes from the Provincial Government and the BCCFI.

And just this week, 12 February 2008, Mr. Aaron Zazueta from the Global Environmental Facility – Evaluation Office, visited Bataan to conduct a field verification process of our ICM program terminal evaluation.  A PCC meeting was convened in the morning for presentations of the BICMP accomplishment report and 3-year workplan. A BCCFI meeting with Mr. Zazueta and PEMSEA ensued after the PCC meeting.

Field visits to the mangrove nursery and fish sanctuary in Orion followed. They chartered the patrol boat of Bantay Dagat to tour the coastal waters of Orion. Then the group went to Bgy. Nagbalayong, Morong in the Pawikan Conservation Center.

 
We also had a great opportunity to represent the Province of Bataan in the recently concluded East Asian Seas Congress 2006 in Haikou City, Hainan Province, PR China.

The theme of the Congress was “One Ocean. One People. One Vision”. Over 1,000 participants from all over the world came together to join the 3-day congress and take part in this important gathering of experts in the field of ICM, environment, information technology, IEC, and others.

 
       PEMSEA Award for Outstanding Partner
       in ICM given to Province of Bataan
       and Bataan Coastal Care Foundation, Inc.

The Province of Bataan was at the forefront of praises because of the coastal projects we are doing here.

Gov. Garcia, though he was not able to attend the Congress, was elected unanimously as Vice-President of the PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development. This shows that the PNLG body gave their vote of confidence to our governor to take on the responsibility as VP to implement sustainable coastal management not only in Bataan but in the seas of East Asia as well.

The province and the BCCF also received the first PEMSEA Award for Outstanding Partner in ICM. Our public-private partnership with BCCF since 2001 has received numerous compliments because of camaraderie with each other and commitment they have for the implementation of ICM in Bataan.

Gov. Garcia also attended the World Ocean Week Forum and PNLG Meeting in November 2-5, 2007 in Xiamen, PR China

Hosting of the East Asian Seas Congress 2009