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A clean island is a happy island! (RESEARCHED BY: SAMEERA SOPHIA LIDASAN)

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URL:
https://www.facebook.com/hcgdswm.southwesternmindanao/posts/pfbid024LHnuLix8BHZ5GpSiL9HUyzAosdGrkj4mdNpBpGJWmoMtTHEFRemSDw8LCqcGCrzl

TITLE: A clean island is a happy island!

AUTHOR: Hcgdswm Southwestern Mindanao

DATE: March 3, 2021

KEY INFO:
The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) headed by Commodore Edgar B Boado through the Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Force Southwestern Mindanao (MEPFORCE-SWM) aims to have a clean non-toxic marine life and environment. They initiated a coastal cleanup drive at Little Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City where they collected 100 garbage-filled sacks of trash. This action encapsulates the objectives we want to pursue to preserve, conserve, and protect the life below water.

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A CLEAN ISLAND IS A HAPPY ISLAND! 🏝

The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) headed by Commodore Edgar B Boado through the Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Force...

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Expropriation starts for proposed Samal Island-Davao City bridge landing site (RESEARCHED BY: SAMEERA SOPHIA LIDASAN)

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URL:
newsinfo.inquirer.net/1723867/expropriation-starts-for-proposed-samal-island-davao-city-bridge-landing-site

TITLE: Expropriation starts for proposed Samal Island-Davao City bridge landing site

AUTHOR: Germilina Lacorte

DATE: February 01, 2023

KEY INFO:
The government has started the expropriation process of a part of beachfront land in Barangay Limao, Samal Island, which will be the landing area of the Samal Island-Davao City bridge. This article covers how environmental organizations like Ecoteneo spoke out against the installation and how it could negatively impact Samal Island's coral reefs and marine life.

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DAVAO CITY - The government has started the expropriation proceedings of part of a coastal land in Barangay Limao, Samal Island, where the landing point of the Samal Island-Davao City bridge is proposed to be located.

Presiding Judge Gemma Betonio of the Regional Trial Court Branch 4 in Panabo City issued the writ of possession allowing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to take possession of part of the property owned by Jesus R. Lucas Jr., where the proposed landing site would be built.

The P19.3-billion bridge project will be funded by China.

The writ delivered to property owners at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, allows the DPWH to "take possession, control and disposition of the subject lot," a portion of the 5,700-square-meter area.

The property is part of the stretch of beaches owned by the Rodriguez and Lucas clan on Samal Island.

Lawyer Mars Rongo, legal counsel of the Lucas family, confirmed that the court sheriffs delivered the writ of possession to the Lucas property.

"The family respects the writs since they were issued by the court, but they want to ensure that the implementation will be confined to the affected portions of the property only," Rongo said in a message to the Inquirer.

Concerns

Environment groups earlier opposed the construction of the bridge's landing site in the area, saying it could damage the coral reefs and marine life that had sustained the livelihood of the island's fisherfolk for years.

Myla Santos, director of the Ecoteneo, the ecology advocacy of the Ateneo de Davao University and co-secretariat of the Save Samal Reefs Alliance, voiced her concerns over the damage that the five-year bridge construction could bring to Paradise Reef, a thriving community of corals and marine life underwater, just a few meters from where the proposed landing site would be built.

The Rodriguez-Lucas family, who owns the stretch of beachfront in the area, had earlier offered another property as an alternative landing site, but DPWH spokesperson Dean Ortiz said in an earlier interview that the DPWH's unified project management office, which has jurisdiction over the bridge project, chose the site near the Lucas-owned Costa Marina Resort because it offered the shortest and most economical distance from Davao City.
RELATED STORIES Bongbong Marcos breaks ground for Samal-Davao bridge Groups protest Chinese contractor's second attempt to drill holes in ...
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Expropriation starts for proposed Samal Island-Davao City bridge landing site

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DAVAO CITY - The government has started the expropriation proceedings of part of a coastal land in Barangay Limao, Samal Island, where the landing point of the Samal Island-Davao City bridge is proposed to be located.

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Protecting marine ecosystems vital for climate change adaptation (RESEARCHED BY: SAMEERA SOPHIA LIDASAN)

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URL:
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1187196

TITLE: Protecting marine ecosystems vital for climate change adaptation

AUTHOR: Leonel Abasola

DATE: October 27, 2022

KEY INFO:
The Philippine environmental laws are put into practice in Manila by Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda in order to replenish the bounty and reestablish the ecological integrity of our water bodies. This article recommended local and national governments to work together to guarantee that environmental regulations requiring the preservation, maintenance, and protection of marine ecosystems—which are essential for coastal adaptation to climate change—are effectively put into practice.

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Protecting our Ocean and Waters for Future Generations (RESEARCHED BY: SAMEERA SOPHIA LIDASAN)

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URL:
https://rea.ec.europa.eu/news/protecting-our-ocean-and-waters-future-generations-2022-06-08_en

TITLE: Protecting our Ocean and Waters for Future Generations

AUTHOR: European Research Executive Agency

DATE: June 8, 2022

KEY INFO:
World Ocean Day is annually observed on June 8th all over the world—the day which brings together young people, activists, and leaders of organizations to support cooperative conservation. The creation of solutions for the protection of biodiversity and the battle against climate change is the focus of several events that take place all over the world. The situation is critical because only 8% of the ocean and less than 17% of land are currently protected. The conservation action focus for this year is to protect at least 30% of the lands, rivers, and oceans on our planet by 2030.

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Protecting our Ocean and Waters for Future Generations

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The EU is determined to restore our ocean and waters by 2030. On World Ocean Day, learn more about the related Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions policy event and ground-breaking research projects that strive to protect our blue planet.

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Philippines reef littered with face masks - BBC News (RESEARCHED BY: HAILEY CHANTELL MANGULAMAS)

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URL:
https://youtu.be/OCZMeLpl04Y

TITLE: Philippines reef littered with face masks

AUTHOR: BBC News

DATE: March 10, 2021

KEY INFO:
A non-profit organization called Marine Conservation Philippines is situated in the Philippine province of Visayas. We have joined the fight to try and change the current situation before it is too late through marine research, advocacy, local outreach, and conservation activities. We imagine a time in the future and a sea where our children and their children will still be able to marvel at grazing sharks and sea turtles and where coastal towns will have enough fish stocks for future generations. This research aimed to help the country's marine conservation located in Visayas. This work will inspire people who are dedicated to saving our marine life, and it can encourage a lot of citizens to join the non-profit organization. With the activities above, this will surely be a big contribution to future projects in Davao City.

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Philippines reef littered with face masks - BBC News

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Marcos: Potential talks with Japan about maritime defense may improve ties (RESEARCHED BY: HAILEY CHANTELL MANGULAMAS)

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URL:
https://youtu.be/cTAO54A7Iqw

TITLE: Marcos: Potential talks with Japan about maritime defense may improve ties

AUTHOR: INQUIRER.net

DATE: February 8, 2023

KEY INFO:
Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio of the University of Cebu discusses her CHED-Newton Institutional Links partnership with the Center for Environment Fisheries & Aquaculture. The marine spatial design of aquaculture facilities in the Philippines according to science (CEFAS) from the UK. Through this project, they are maximizing the nearby communities' economic gains while assisting in preserving the nation's aquatic biodiversity.

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Marcos: Potential talks with Japan about maritime defense may improve ties

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State of the Coral Triangle: Philippines (RESEARCHED BY: HAILEY CHANTELL MANGULAMAS)

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URL: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/42414/state-coral-triangle-philippines.pdf

TITLE: State of the Coral Triangle: Philippines

AUTHOR: Asian Development Bank

DATE: May 2014

KEY INFO:
At this point, the Earth Summit Conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 passed Agenda 21, which was a century-long collective environmental action plan. In the aforementioned Agenda, the global commitment to resource conservation and management for development is outlined. National leaders and policy administrators have pledged legal policies based on careful consideration of production and consumption, resource conservation, environmental protection, and appreciation of the quality of life and livelihood.

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Ensuring progressive and sustainable Mindanao through the 2019 Regional Scientific Meeting (RESEARCHED BY: ZHENMEI RENCH PANAGSAGAN)

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8) Public Service Message or Promotional Video

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8) Public Service Message or Promotional Video

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URL:
https://www.nast.ph/index.php/13-news-press-releases/440-ensuring-progressive-and-sustainable-mindanao-through-the-2019-regional-scientific-meeting

TITLE: Ensuring progressive and sustainable Mindanao through the 2019 Regional Scientific Meeting

AUTHOR: National Academy of Science and Technology

DATE: September 2, 2019

KEY INFO: Acd. Mudjekeewis D. Santos, a member, recommended backing the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO 263) and stepping up enforcement of rules and regulations guarding marine resources in order to maintain sustainability. A member, Acd. Marco Nemesio E. Montao, elaborated on the various benefits and innovations that can be produced using seaweeds and recommended increasing the number of marine plant specialists, using social media, investing in seaweed products, and working with the public, private, and academic sectors. The connection between this study and our research topic was brought up by two NAST academy members who spoke about how to protect our marine life and offered suggestions on how to improve the quantities of marine plants.

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President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appoints seven (7) new members of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Executive Council.

Academician (Acd.) Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr. is reinstated as the chair of the Agricultural Sciences Division. He is recognized for his pioneering and outstanding contributions in the field of plant breeding, specifically tropical vegetables, and tropical white potato breeding. He is also the Interim President of the Academy.

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President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appoints seven (7) new members of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Executive Council. Academician (Acd.) Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr. is reinstated as the chair of the Agricultural Sciences Division. He is recognized for his pioneering and outstanding contributions in the field of plant breeding, specifically tropical vegetables, and tropical white potato breeding.

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Northern Mindanao Magazine 20161024 R10 (RESEARCHED BY: ZHENMEI RENCH PANAGSAGAN)

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URL: https://issuu.com/pianorthernmindanao/docs/northern_mindanao_magazine_20161024

TITLE: Fish Conservation Week 2016 calls for cleaner, pollution free ocean - BFAR

AUTHOR: The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10

DATE: October 24, 2016

KEY INFO:
According to Visa Tan-Dimerin, regional director for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), this year's 53rd Fish Conservation Week emphasizes the need to clean up and make our oceans pollution-free. She stated that the purpose of the yearly event is to emphasize the significance of conservation for sustainable development so that there will always be fish in the ocean at Talakayan sa PIA on October 20, 2016. According to Dimerin, the current emphasis is on garbage disposal in coastal towns and cleanup initiatives including coastal clean-up, scubasurero, and IEC.

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Read Northern Mindanao Magazine 20161024 R10 by PIA Northern Mindanao on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

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Samal-Davao bridge a 'threat' to marine life (RESEARCHED BY: ZHENMEI RENCH PANAGSAGAN)

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URL: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1870559/davao/local-news/samal-davao-bridge-a-threat-to-marine-life

TITLE: Samal-Davao bridge a 'threat' to marine life

AUTHOR: Reuel John F. Lumawag

DATE: September 17, 2020

KEY INFO:
The Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project's construction will likely cause permanent damage to the habitat of the area's of fish and aquatic life. To mitigate this issue, the proponents will strictly follow the Site Protection and Rehabilitation Program and materials handling procedures, which include soil erosion control measures. The report also states that demolition, excavation, pile driving, and bridge structure construction will have an impact on fish and aquatic life and change channel beds. Best practices in appropriate construction methods encourage care and minimal disruption to current environments. Environmental deterioration should be minimized while progress is made. What little natural resources we still have should be preserved. This article is connected in our research because it demonstrates how we may maintain and safeguard our aquatic life.

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THE construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project could cause irreversible damage to the reef the bridge will traverse on.

"During construction, there will be massive sedimentation that would be happening," Joey Gatus, Natural Resources Management Consultant of the Save Paradise Reef Movement, said during a virtual press conference on Thursday, September 17, 2020.

The SIDC, commonly known as the Davao-Samal Bridge, is a P23.04-billion bridge that will connect Samal Island to the mainland. The project involves the construction of a four-lane 2.8-kilometer bridge. The project is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) central office.

According to the SIDC project description report conducted by Ove Arup and Partners Hong Kong Ltd (Arup), which was tapped by the DPWH as the lead consultant for the Feasibility Study of the SIDC Project, the properties directly affected by the alignment of the bridge on the Samal side is the property of the Rodriguez family. The family owns the popular Paradise Island Beach and Resort. The report was published in 2019.

The report states that demolition, excavation, pile driving and bridge structure construction will cause "changes in channel beds and impacts on fish and aquatic life." In a bid to address this issue, the proponents will strictly observe and implement the Site Protection and Rehabilitation Program and materials handling, which provide for soil erosion control measures. Proponents will also "observe best practices in proper construction procedures that promote care and minimal disturbance to the existing environment."

Gatus said they have learned that during the construction, the project implementors will be using silt curtains to contain the sediments brought by the construction of the project.

However, the silt curtains are not enough to protect the coral reefs in the Pakiputan strait. Gatus said the strong currents will still carry these sediments to a wider area.

"Corals will be smothered and covered by all these sediments. Within that area, expect those coral reefs within half a kilometer will be affected," Gatus said.

Based on the Biophysical Assessment on the Affected Reefs of the proposed SIDC, which was conducted by Gatus and Dr. Filipina Sotto, the study shows that the area the bridge will be traversing on and where construction activities will be taking place has a rich marine environment. The study was conducted in December 2019.

According to the study, which was commissioned by the Rodriguez family, the area directly affected by the bridge in Samal Island is home to six species of seagrass and seaweed with an area coverage of around 31 percent. The study conducted by Arup also supports this figure. While it only listed three species of seagrass and seaweeds in the marine area near Paradise Island Beach and Resort, the coverage of seagrass and seaweeds is at around 50 percent. The area where the landing site will be has three species with an area coverage of around 25 percent.

In terms of aquatic macro-invertebrates--like echinoderms, tunicates, sponges, hydroids, shells, and crabs--there are 57 species with around 2 specimens per square meter.

"Overall, you would notice that it is a highly diverse area. It is interesting in terms of ecology," Gatus said.

The reef near the resort also has 54 genera with an area coverage of 36.4 percent. The area has a fish abundance of 1,161 fish per 1,000 square meters. It also has fish biomass of 21 metric tons per square kilometer.

Gatus said the reef also acts as a natural sea wall.

"The paradise reef, located between Paradise Island and Costa Marina, is a very popular and frequently visited site by amateur divers and professionals due to the abundance of beautiful hard and soft corals, fishes, and other marine life. In fact, this reef is one of the few gardens left in the Island Garden City of Samal, most are either dead and are in a very bad state," Julian Rodriguez, technical director and manager of Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort, said.

He said the construction of the bridge, which will take four years, threatens the marine ecology with adverse effects and "will have a very bad effect on the environment."

"Arup in its executive report to the public admitted that there will be substantial air, noise, soil pollution and most of all water pollution, caused by dredging and excavation," Rodriguez said.

He added that silting will be constant and it will cover all the marine life in the reef. The silt will blanket the reef while the beach and the seashore will be murky and polluted making it unsuitable for swimming and diving.

"In constructing bridges, the landing site where the main bridge and its approach viaduct will be constructed must be given utmost consideration. It is inevitable that during and after the construction of the bridge, the benthic communities will be irreversibly, irreparably and incalculably destroyed," Sotto said.

She added that based on the study, the construction of the SIDC Bridge "will definitely damage the best marine ecosystem in Samal Island that will have an adverse ecological impact on the Davao Gulf as a Key Marine Biodiversity Area."

However, it is not only on the Samal they are worried about. Lawyer Julito "Sarge" Sarmiento, an environmental lawyer, said Barangay Hizon's coastal areas will also be affected.

"Councilor [Diosdao] Mahipus [Jr.] was saying that the Davao City council has actually drafted a comprehensive land-use plan declaring the entire coastline of Barangay Hizon as a marine protect," Sarmiento said.

He said Arup, in its study, said they are not worried about constructing a bridge in the area of Barangay Hizon because it is a sandy area.

"That is why the barangay has declared it a marine protected area because they wanted to rehabilitate that and make it a marine sanctuary," Sarmiento said.

They have also recommended that the approval that the landing site for the bridge will be at the Paradise Island Beach and Resort be withdrawn and that Arup be "instructed to redesign and realign the SIDC Bridge.

The researchers are recommending the old shipyard (Bridgeport) as the final landing site for the SIDC Bridge. This is consistent with the earlier proposal of the Japan International Cooperation Agency feasibility study in 2016.

"[This is the] best site for the construction of the main bridge and the approach viaduct on Samal Island side given that [it] was found to be the least biologically productive area," Sotto said.

However, if the old shipyard is not anymore feasible, the Rodriguez family is offering their Lomos Beach property as a donation "to be used as a compromise for the final landing site of

the SIDC Bridge demonstrating their full support for the SIDC Bridge and not to delay its construction."

"The Rodriguez Family has proven that they will do whatever it takes to protect and preserve Paradise Reef that they have taken care of... They are willing to donate a portion of their El Paril Beach Resort (formerly Lumos Property) to DPWH as an alternative landing site in Samal Island with far less environmental damage," Sarmiento said.

"The shorter distance is between Bridgeport and the Sasa wharf. The property that we are offering for the landing site is parallel to the alignment prescribed by Jica as the best site," lawyer Ramon Rodriguez-Lucas, Corporate Secretary of Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort, said.

Meanwhile, the family clarified they are not against infrastructure developments.

"Progress has to come with the bridge. The bridge will definitely improve lives. But we should be very careful where and how it is going to be built. Progress should be sustainable to the environment and cause the least possible damage. We should protect what little of the environment we have left," Rodriguez said.

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Samal-Davao bridge a 'threat' to marine life

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THE construction of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project could cause irreversible damage to the reef the bridge will traverse on."During construction, there will...

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Special Release: 2019 Fisheries Situationer Report, Davao Region | Philippine Statistics Authority Region XI

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URL: http://rsso11.psa.gov.ph/psa.gov.ph/article/2019-fishery-situation

TITLE: Special Release: 2019 Fisheries SItuationer Report, Davao Region

AUTHOR: PEPITO D. AMOYEN

DATE: May 12, 2020

KEY INFO: The five-year period revealed a declining tendency in the fisheries production in the Davao Region. Production decreased steadily from 59,498.46 metric tons in 2015 to 56,670.56 metric tons in 2017, and then it steepened during the last two years from that level (2018-2019). About 49.8% of the regional production from the 2019 total fisheries output was attributed to the aquaculture subsector. Municipal fisheries made up 45.0 percent of the total, with inland and marine fisheries each contributing 44.50 and 0.50 percent. The production from commercial fisheries, on the other hand, contributed the least, at 5.2%.

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Special Release: 2019 Fisheries Situationer Report, Davao Region | Philippine Statistics Authority Region XI

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Fisheries production drops by 7.2 percent

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Amihan sa Dahican - Save Our Seas | CoalitionWILD (RESEARCHED BY: THOMAS ANDRE QUIDLAT)

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URL:
https://coalitionwild.org/save-our-seas/

TITLE: Amihan sa Dahican – Save Our Seas: Where the Love of Surfing meets Marine Conservation

AUTHOR: Ceci Fischler

DATE: January 12, 2021

KEY INFO:
Amihan sa Dahican-SOS raises local communities' awareness of the important services provided by coastal ecosystems and wildlife; records sightings of turtles, dugongs, spinner dolphins, whale sharks, etc.; and conducts regular beach clean-ups to free the habitat from waste. This practice can be implemented in the banks of Davao City in order to preserve the bodies of water in the city.

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By Ceci Fischer
CoalitionWILD Steering Committee
Philippines

If you've ever been to the Philippines, then I bet you were stunned by the crisp clear water and white sandy beaches, the tropical landscapes and volcanoes, the warm air and the 1,000 flavours you can smell when you are sitting in one of the open jeepneys or tricycles , and above all - the friendly and hospitable people. The beautiful coastline of this country stretches for more than 36,000km - in comparison, the US coastline covers only about 20,000km - and if you think it couldn't possibly get better, that's when I would hand you a mask and snorkel, or even better, some dive gear, and say "yes, it does" - underwater. The abundant marine biodiversity truly makes you think you fell directly into a BBC documentary.

There is no other place in the world that has a richer marine biodiversity than the Coral Triangle, and the Philippines is right in its center, aptly called "the center of the center" of marine biodiversity worldwide. Unfortunately, there are many things that threaten this beautiful underwater fauna and flora, ranging from wildlife poaching, over habitat destruction, to illegal, destructive, and unsustainable fishing practices, such as dynamite and cyanide fishing (yes, it IS as bad as it sounds). There are also less well known issues such as light pollution, which can disorient species, such as little turtle hatchlings, who stop running into the ocean and turn towards a nearby beach bar instead. Even though many of us are equally attracted to these bars, it's not quite beneficial for hatchlings, who will lose their initial frenzy and may never reach the ocean currents.

One group in south-eastern Mindanao is committed to help conserving marine wildlife species for future generations. They also take care of local kids that had to leave school or home because of poverty and offer them comfort, a family, and encourage them to continue their education. At the same time, they are very skilled surfers and skimboarders: The Amihan sa Dahican - Save our Seas (SOS) Team . "Amihan" refers to the cool North-eastern monsoon in the Philippines, "sa" means "at", and "Dahican" is the name of the local beach, which is part of the larger Mayo Bay, in the southern island of Mindanao. The organization was founded and is managed by the Plaza brothers : Kuya Jun, Winston, Pedro & Wan. Being very poor kids themselves and growing up in an orphanage, they never got discouraged and would like to give back - to nature and society.

"Life was not really easy for us, however, despite of the setbacks, we were not resentful, but instead hopeful to turn our experience around in order to bring love and kindness to others."

- Amihan sa Dahican - SOS team

The Team patrols the beaches at night to record turtles coming to nest, and relocates the eggs into a hatchery to protect them from poachers and predators, such as crabs and rats. This is a crucial task, yet eggs should only be relocated (after having been trained to do so) if they otherwise face destruction through threats such as predators or inundation, if laid below the high tide mark. Incredibly, three species of marine turtles nest on Dahican beach, out of seven species worldwide (did you know that the Kemp's ridley turtle is only found in the Northwest-Atlantic, mainly in the Gulf of Mexico?). Unfortunately, all marine turtle species are classified as Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, except for the flatback turtle, which is data deficient (you would be also if your scientific name was natator DEPRESSUS!). This is due to still rampant poaching of live turtles and their eggs, using the shell for jewelery and the eggs and meat for consumption, boat strikes, net entanglement etc.

The Plaza brothers - founders and managers of the Amihan sa Dahican-SOS Team

Amihan sa Dahican-SOS raises awareness in the local communities on the important services provided by coastal ecosystems and wildlife; records sightings and strandings of turtles, dugongs, spinner dolphins, whalesharks etc.; and conducts regular beach clean ups to free the habitat from waste. The Team also takes care of injured wildlife, like entangled animals, removes fish hooks that got stuck on fins or flippers, removes fishing lines that were ingested, and so on. If you would like to know more about the challenges marine wildlife is facing, please visit the Threat section of the Team's website.

These activities not only benefit the wildlife, but also the community, as many locals are increasingly dependent on tourism and on fisheries, which can only thrive in healthy ecosystems with wildlife remaining intact. Also, the beach clean ups prevent health risks, as children especially could otherwise get hurt by pieces of metal or glass shards sticking out of the sand when playing on the beach.

Aside from marine conservation activities, Amihan sa Dahican-SOS offers a sheltered home to kids that need a family, encouragement, and love - and teach them about important values in life, such as integrity and teamwork, about the necessity of proper education, and about the importance of preserving the beauty of Mother Nature. Their motto is "If you love nature, nature will love you back." They are thus great role models for the kids, who start walking in their footsteps and will be the next generation of the Amihan boys and girls!

A marine turtle with a boat strike injury on its head, which can happen if there is no proper zoning established in the municipal waters and boats collide with the turtles coming up to the ocean surface in regular intervals to breathe.

At the same time, the team are all extraordinary surfers, and are even showcased in international competitions! They offer surfing and skimboarding lessons for visitors in sparkling turquoise waters, and combing this experience with information on the wildlife in the bay makes for a fun way to engage the public and visitors in marine conservation projects. The surf lessons also serve as an income source for the team, as they have only very limited means to conduct their activities. If you would like to support this amazing group and their cause, please have a look here how you can help. The Team and I would very much appreciate that, as even though they are facing a lot of adversities in their advocacy, they do not waiver in continuing to protect the wildlife in their bay every day.

If you would like to know more about the Amihan Team, check out their newly launched homepage at https://amihansadahican-sos.weebly.com ! I hope that you are equally inspired by their actions as me, and would be grateful if you could share their story on linking love for surfing and marine conservation - and how a local organization really can make a difference.

Thank you very much - or, in Tagalog - Maraming Salamat!

Ceci Fischer is from Germany but living and working in the Philippines. Her two focus areas are marine conservation and illegal wildlife trade. She has coordinated several marine projects in the Philippines, such as a fisheries closure evaluation, natural resource assessments in 33 marine protected areas and adjacent watersheds (ridge-to-reef), and has specialised in marine turtles. She is also the co-author of the recent Marine Turtle and Dugong Conservation Action Plans for the Philippines. Ceci holds an online graduate certificate in Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Sciences from the University of Florida and is currently working for an international organization, coordinating a project on combatting illegal wildlife trade in the Philippines. Ceci is a Rescue Diver and loves being underwater, as well as hiking, photography, graphic design, and acrylic painting.

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Amihan sa Dahican - Save Our Seas | CoalitionWILD

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By Ceci Fischer CoalitionWILD Steering CommitteePhilippines If you've ever been to the Philippines, then I bet you were stunned by the crisp clear water and white sandy beaches, the tropical landscapes and volcanoes, the warm air and the 1,000 flavours you can smell when you are sitting in one of the open jeepneys or tricycles , and above all - the friendly and hospitable people.

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Davao City gov't named UN Habitat PH's Local Champion for Marine Litter Action - City Government of Davao (RESEARCHED BY: KARYLLE LYRA CONSEBIT)

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URL:
https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/solid-waste-management/davao-city-govt-named-un-habitat-phs-local-champion-for-marine-litter-action/

TITLE: Davao City gov't named UN Habitat PH's Local Champion for Marine Litter Action - City Government of Davao

AUTHOR: City Government of Davao

DATE: November 8, 2022

KEY INFO:
In 2017, the Bantay Dagat Program began during the administration of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte that went on until the current year, wherein 350 Bantay Dagat volunteers hold cleanup activities every Saturday morning in seven riverbanks and twenty-six coastal barangays. Because of this, government organizations and youth have been joining the weekly activities. This activity will surely help in the development and preservation of the bodies of water.

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The City Government of Davao was awarded the Local Champion for Marine Litter Action award "for pioneering the development of the City Plan of Action on Marine Litter in support of the Philippines' National Plan of Action o Marine Litter."

The award was presented by the UN Habitat of the Philippines, in partnership with the League of Cities of the Philippines, during the World Cities Day Celebration held on October 28, 2022, in Quezon City, Philippines.

Ancillary Services Unit (ASU) officer-in-charge Paul Bermejo on Monday, November 7, said the city earned the honor for being able to implement a localized Philippine action plan for marine litter among other local government units (LGUs) in the country.

He attributed it to the city's Bantay Dagat program, which began in 2017 during the administration of former Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and was continued to this day by Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte.

Bermejo cited Executive Order (EO) No. 41, Series of 2017, which provides that the Bantay Dagat volunteers will conduct coastal and riverbank cleanup every first and third Saturday morning of the month.

But he said the 350 Bantay Dagat volunteers hold cleanup activities every Saturday morning in seven riverbanks and 26 coastal barangays. Each one receives a P1,000 allowance.

As years went by, he said other stakeholders and force multipliers from non-government organizations and the youth have been joining the weekly cleanup, as well as the barangay officials and their functionaries, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and Department of Natural Environment and Natural Resource Office (DENR) Region 11 staff, cyclists, teaches, boy scouts, and girl scouts, among others.

"Attributed gyud ni sa City Government of Davao ang maong programa kay maski wala pa ning UN Habitat's Save the Oceans and Rivers, naa na ta'y nahimong program aron hinluan atong coastline (This program is attributed to the City Government of Davao because even though the UN Habitat's Save the Oceans and Rivers has not been organized yet, we already have a program to clean our coastline)," the ASU chief said.

The Bantay Dagat volunteers are grouped into clusters.

Cluster 1 is comprised of barangays 2A, 5A, 8A, 9A, and 10A while Cluster 2 included barangays 21-C, 32-C, 33-C, 31-B, 27-C, and 76-A.

The rest of the clusters: 4 - Matina Aplaya, Talomo, Bago Aplaya, Dumoy; 5 - Leon Garcia, Lapulapu, Centro Agdao, Duterte; 6 - Hizon, Pampanga, Sasa, Panacan; 7- Tibungco, Ilang, Bunawan, Lasang; 8 - Daliao, Lizada, Sirawan, Binugao.

For NGOs and other establishments or institutions wanting to participate in weekly cleanup as a community outreach activity, Bermejo said they could visit him at the ASU office inside the Maa slaughterhouse compound since they document their volunteers.

Interested groups and individuals who are joining cleanups must wear appropriate clothes, wear gloves, use thongs or sticks or hooks to pick up the garbage and bring empty sacks where to put the waste they have gathered.

ASU and CENRO will then transport the sacks for proper disposal. CIO

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Davao City gov't named UN Habitat PH's Local Champion for Marine Litter Action - City Government of Davao

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The City Government of Davao was awarded the Local Champion for Marine Litter Action award "for pioneering the development of the City Plan of Action on Marine Litter in support of the Philippines' National Plan of Action o Marine Litter." The award was presented by the UN Habitat of the Philippines, in partnership with the [...]

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Philippine coastal town leads war against plastic trash in Mindanao (RESEARCHED BY: KING ANGELO CRISOSTOMO)

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14) Non-Government Organization or Academic Institution Article

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14) Non-Government Organization or Academic Institution Article

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URL:
https://news.mongabay.com/2019/12/philippine-coastal-town-leads-war-against-plastic-trash-in-mindanao/amp/

TITLE: Philippine coastal town leads war against plastic trash in Mindanao

AUTHOR: Bong S. Sarmiento

DATE: December 19, 2019

KEY INFO:
A 2018 report said that a fisherman found a weak endangered green turtle floating in the Davao Gulf because of a large amount of plastic waste consumed by the turtle itself. This issue has been occurring over the years, which led the town of San Isidro to commit to eliminating plastic pollution. San Isidro engaged the most marginalized sectors from seven coastal villages to collect plastic waste under the program of Plastic Smart Cities initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Their action can bring the desire to protect the marine life that depends on the seas, especially on the banks of Davao City.

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Philippine coastal town leads war against plastic trash in Mindanao

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DAVAO, Philippines - On August 4, 2018, a fisherman found an endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) floating weakly in the Davao Gulf, a diverse marine ecosystem and rich fishing ground spanning 308,000 hectares in the southern Mindanao region. The fisherman brought the stranded juvenile female green turtle ashore where it breathed more easily after a plastic food [...]

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BAMBOO BEACH HOME BUILDING | Ocean Water Treatment | PHILIPPINES LAND LIFE IN DAVAO (RESEARCHED BY: KING ANGELO M. CRISOSTOMO)

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URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EQ6F9wOZto&fbclid=IwAR3fe0rNZTATMv63huhiLtTIaJVkqAsCkmdgiHafKW6rNTWl47I6lCZduRM

TITLE: BAMBOO BEACH HOME BUILDING | Ocean Water Treatment | PHILIPPINES LAND LIFE IN DAVAO

AUTHOR: BecomingFilipino

DATE: September 24, 2020

KEY INFO:
The bamboo will catch waste from the water, reducing waste and making the bamboo better and more treated. There are two benefits: ocean life and land life. The ocean life will profit from the bamboo, and the bamboo will benefit from being dipped in saltwater, which will improve its quality.

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BAMBOO BEACH HOME BUILDING | Ocean Water Treatment | PHILIPPINES LAND LIFE IN DAVAO

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Science Camp in Davao highlights why "water is life" (RESEARCHED BY: KING ANGELO M. CRISOSTOMO)

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URL:
https://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news-archive/259-science-camp-in-davao-highlights-why-water-is-life

TITLE: Science Camp in Davao highlights why “water is life”

AUTHOR: DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo (third from left) with the participants and facilitators of the 2018 Climate Science Youth Camp in Siquijor.

DATE: April 24, 2019

KEY INFO:
The program prepares children and teaches them basic water qualities, worldwide water distribution, tracking the water cycle and watersheds, as well as climate change problems such as the Philippines' climate and global warming. As a result, marine life will be better informed about how things work, and they will be able to pass on their knowledge to their community.

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The Climate Science Youth Camp (CSYC), one of the science promotion projects of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), tackles a very timely issue with this year's theme: H2O: Highlands to Oceans "Water is Life".

The science camp is an annual "summer" event of the DOST-SEI. For its 2019 run on April 24 - May 3, campers will explore the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.

Participants, composed of 40 high school students and 20 science teachers from various high schools in Region XI (Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Davao City), will experience "camp life" and spend time in the hills and beaches of the island learning about the hydrological cycle and climate change.

The basic concepts of the hydrological cycle and climate change will be taught using fun, interactive learning modules prepared by some of the country's top young scientists from the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and the National Institutes of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) who will also act as camp facilitators.

Topics ranging from basic properties of water to global distribution of water, tracing the water cycle, and watersheds, as well as issues in climate change such as climate of the Philippines and global warming, will be emphasized in the event. Participants will undertake actual community-based research, make their own assessments and formulate recommendations on possible measures for disaster mitigation and adaptation purposes based on the knowledge they gained from the camp.
DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo (third from left) with the participants and facilitators of the 2018 Climate Science Youth Camp in Siquijor.
DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo is confident that CSYC will once again contribute to SEI's vision of developing a pool of highly competitive S&T workforce in the country.

"The science camp perfectly complements our S&T scholarship programs. It's always a delight to see our students' interest in science ignited after their immersion in the camp and to see them inspired in starting their S&T careers with the challenges of their own communities on top of their minds," Dr. Biyo said.

Since its 2013 run, the science camp has been bridging the basics of climate science and the technology of hazards assessment and reduction with the concepts of innovation and leadership among public high school students. (30)

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Science Camp in Davao highlights why "water is life"

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The Climate Science Youth Camp (CSYC), one of the science promotion projects of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), tackles a very timely issue with this year's theme: H2O: Highlands to Oceans "Water is Life". The science camp is an annual "summer" event of the DOST-SEI.

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A drop in a plastic ocean: how one person can make a difference. | Emily De Sousa | TEDxKanata (RESEARCHED BY: KARYLLE LYRA CONSEBIT)

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URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UqkgRGPqsk

TITLE: A Drop in a Plastic Ocean: How One Person can make a Difference

AUTHOR: Emily De Sousa

DATE: April 3, 2018

KEY INFO:
Emily De Sousa elaborated with the idea, "You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop," which entails the measurement of combating illegal practices that put our oceans at risk. She also discussed sustainability towards marine conservation and regulations of our oceans. Furthermore, this ideology of her inaugurates the objective of sustaining, preserving, and conserving our waters.

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A drop in a plastic ocean: how one person can make a difference. | Emily De Sousa | TEDxKanata

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Water Quality: Mindanao Island of the Philippines (RESEARCHED BY: KARYLLE LYRA CONSEBIT)

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URL:
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-75361-4_12

TITLE: Water Quality: Mindanao Island of the Philippines

AUTHOR: Angelo Mark P. Walag, Oliva P. Canencia, Beth Ann Fiedler

DATE: May 10, 2018

KEY INFO:
This research discusses the water quality in Mindanao, Philippines, and how the strategies addressed are considered, along with the numerous national laws, policies, standards, and guidelines in addressing water quality control and management. This study will greatly contribute to the practices and actions on protecting marine life in Davao City.

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Water Quality: Mindanao Island of the Philippines

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The Philippines is an archipelagic country dominated by water and inland water sources. Water quality has been the subject of attention for the country and specifically, Mindanao Island, because of...

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Marine Conservation (RESEARCHED BY: KARYLLE LYRA CONSEBIT)

# data[].attributes.body
URL:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/marine-conservation/3A6B3F862EB47F31A0D06745FC870A55

TITLE: Marine Conservation

AUTHOR: P. Keith Probert

DATE: July 2017

KEY INFO:
This book talks about the marine conservation issues and approaches regarding the major groups of aquatic organisms, such as sharks, sea turtles, and others, as well as their habitats. It also provides a comprehensive account of marine conservation that is surely an ideal resource for humans to deeply and fully understand the concept of conservation action.

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Providing a comprehensive account of marine conservation, this book examines human use and abuse of the world's seas and oceans and their marine life, and the various approaches to management and conservation. Healthy marine ecosystems - the goods and services that they provide - are of vital importance to human wellbeing. There is a pressing need for a global synthesis of marine conservation issues and approaches. This book covers conservation issues pertinent to major groups of marine organisms, such as sharks, marine turtles, seabirds and marine mammals; key habitats, from estuaries, wetlands and coral reefs to the deep sea; and from local and regional to international initiatives in marine conservation. An ideal resource for students, researchers and conservation professionals, the book pays appropriate attention to the underlying marine biology and oceanography and how human activities impact marine ecosystems, enabling the reader to fully understand the context of conservation action and its rationale.

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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Providing a comprehensive account of marine conservation, this book examines human use and abuse of the world's seas and oceans and their marine life, and the various approaches to management and conservation. Healthy marine ecosystems - the goods and services that they provide - are of vital importance to human wellbeing.

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"Art For the Oceans" Inspiring the Next Generation to Advocate for a Plastic - Free Coral Triangle - Mission Blue (RESEARCHED BY: KARYLLE LYRA CONSEBIT)

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URL:
https://missionblue.org/2020/07/art-for-the-oceans-inspiring-the-next-generation-to-advocate-for-a-plastic-free-coral-triangle/

TITLE: Art for the Oceans

AUTHOR: Haura Amira Faisal

DATE: July 2, 2020

KEY INFO:
The artwork "Art for the Oceans" by Haura Amira Faisal highlights the key issue of damaged marine life. It used "Nemo" as the subject to illustrate the message of how harmful throwing plastics is to our oceans. This piece depicts a sense of awareness regarding the continuous marine problem which we want to address.

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July 2, 2020
By: The Coral Triangle Center
The epicenter of marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle is home for the most diverse coral reefs ecosystem is the world. Over 76% of the planet's coral species live in this region as well as more than 2,000 species of reef fish. The Coral Triangle benefits millions of people living in coastal communities not only in the six Coral Triangle countries namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste but also across the world.

To celebrate the region's unique marine biodiversity and the benefits it provides to the global community, Coral Triangle Day is celebrated every June 9, in conjunction with World Ocean's Day, which is celebrated every June 8. Unlike previous celebrations, this year's Coral Triangle Day activities were all held online, giving us a unique opportunity to connect with more people across the region through social media, art, and storytelling.

Coral Triangle Center (CTC), commemorated Coral Triangle Day by conducting an online art and storytelling competition called "Art for the Oceans." The activity was organized in collaboration with our partners, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries - Coastal and Marine Resource Management Center in Denpasar, Department of Marine and Fisheries Bali Province, Studio Gelombang, Bali Hai Cruises, and The Body Shop Indonesia.

"Art for the Oceans" was open to all kids from 7 - 12 years old living in the Coral Triangle. The participants were invited to create an artwork following a drawing tutorial video by renowned Balinese artist, I Made Griyawan from Studio Gelombang. The artwork should advocate for the theme "Working Together Towards A Plastic Free Coral Triangle". After making their artwork, the participants were asked to make a video presenting the story behind their masterpiece.

"Art for the Oceans" was launched on Coral Triangle Day, June 9, through an online talk show streamed live on CTC's Facebook page. The talk featured inspiring stories from our partners and a short video on how to join the contest featuring art students from Studio Gelombang.

After one week, CTC collected 73 highly creative entries and enthusiastic messages. Three artworks were chosen for their concept, creativity, and message in taking care of the oceans from plastic pollution. The results of the competition were then announced Live on CTC's Facebook Page on June 20, 2020

"All drawings show the creativity and awareness of the participants about the problem of plastic pollution in the ocean," said Rili Djohani, CTC Executive Director and one of the competition judges.

The 1 st place went to Haura Amira Faisal, a 4th-grade student of SD KOMP IKIP 1, in Makassar, Sulawesi. Hamira grew up in an artistic family and has previously won drawing competitions. Using the iconic marine animals, the clownfish or "Nemo", her artwork highlights the damaged marine ecosystems because of plastic pollution. "Through this drawing, I would like to deliver a message that plastics are very harmful to our oceans. It can destroy the coral reefs ecosystems and the fish in the oceans. I hope my drawing will inspire all of us to save the ecosystems from plastic waste" said Hamira in her video.

The 2 nd prize went to Gusti Ayu Ishana Aolani Nugraha, a 3rd-grade student at SD 2 Saraswati in Denpasar, Bali. She highlighted the inspiring action of divers in doing underwater clean up and saving the coral reefs from plastic pollution. "We have to work together to protect the coral reefs and not throwing our trash everywhere because it can bother our corals and the fish will also be decreasing," said Gek Isna.

The 3 rd prize went to I Kadek Bayu Purusatama, a 5th-grade student in SDN 1 Duda Utara, in Karangasem, Bali. He expressed the impact of plastic waste in the oceans to the livelihood of the fishers. "My drawing is telling the impact of plastic in the oceans. It is polluted our oceans, lots of trash floating in the waves, threaten the fish and other marine animals and the ecosystem will be slowly destroyed. So, it will be affecting the fishers' catches because the is more plastic in the oceans" said Bayu.

Apart from the drawing competition, CTC also recognized the top 3 video submissions. The first place went to Gracia Aurelia, from Depok West Java, the 2 nd place to Naren Louis from South Jakarta, and Patricia Asinauli Situmorang from Manokwari, West Papua.

Gracia Aurelia or Ara, illustrated plastic pollution in the ocean by telling the story of the people on the boat that throw their trash to the oceans in which marine animals mistakenly eat them as food. "Sometimes people on boat throw their trash in the oceans and do not even care about that. It is not good at all. Like these turtles are eating plastics because it thinks that is food and this whale shark stocks because of all the trash" said Ara in her video.

Naren talked about pollution destroying fisheries and also the threat of overfishing, while Patricia talked about how plastic is killing the fish and destroying the corals. The participants creatively showcased their amazing artwork with all the great messages behind. They successfully touched many aspects related to the environment, plastic pollution, and marine life in their paintings. They depicted the dangers harming the environment and marine life.

Winners received special prizes from CTC and our partners including art materials, travel packages, board games, and single-use plastic alternative products. All participants also received certificates and vouchers to play CTC's newest escape room SOS Plastic Danger.

Congratulations to all winners and to all participants! Through this year's Coral Triangle Day celebration, CTC continues to spread the word of marine conservation to the younger generations. "We hope that the younger generation continues to inspire and take action in taking care of our ocean" added Rili.

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"Art For the Oceans" Inspiring the Next Generation to Advocate for a Plastic - Free Coral Triangle - Mission Blue

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By: The Coral Triangle Center The epicenter of marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle is home for the most diverse coral reefs ecosystem is the world. Over 76% of the planet's coral species live in this region as well as more than 2,000 species of reef fish.