SM Lite: Policy support and contributions

Key international commitments

Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) is a multilateral partnership with six countries made up of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. It uses coral and reef fish biodiversity as the two main criteria to define the region of the Coral Triangle that these six countries’ boundaries define.

The biogeographical conditions within the Coral Triangle may also enable the region to maintain its exceptional productivity in the face of future impacts of climate change, making it potentially the world’s most important “refuge” for marine life. According to scientific studies done in 2005, the Philippine archipelago contains higher species-per-unit area among all the other countries in the Indo-Malay-Philippines archipelago. It is in this light, that urgent and more attention is needed for conservation action in the Philippines and the rest of the CTI region.

The Regional Plan of Action has been translated into National Action Plans by each of the six Coral Triangle countries. For the Philippine National Plan of Action (NPoA), Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) serves as the overall framework in pursuing the five regional CTI goals.

Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia

The Philippines is among the 12 countries in East Asia that adopted the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA) by signing of the Putrajaya Declaration on December 12, 2003. The SDS-SEA is the first regional document that outlines a shared vision, collective strategies/approaches, and common objectives among countries of the region for sustainably managing the seas of East Asia.

The issuance of Executive Order 533 in 2006 and Executive Order 797 are the Philippines’ response and demonstration of commitment to the CTI, and SDS-SEA, and other international commitments of the Philippines that directly relate to ICM such as the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); Agenda 21; Convention of Biodiversity (CBD); the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA); the World Summit on Sustainable Development – Johannesburg Plan of Implementation; the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG); and various International Maritime Organization (IMO) Conventions.

Achieving international commitments through a National ICM Program The Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, or PDP, outlines the economic growth and social development goals and strategies of the country in the medium term. The PDP has twin goals of economic growth and poverty alleviation, and overall goal of “inclusive growth”.

The goal of Chapter 4 (Competitive and Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries Sector) of the PDP is to achieve prudent use of the agriculture and fisheries resources leading towards a) improved food security and increased rural incomes; b) increased sector resilience to climate change risks; and c)

enhanced policy environment and governance.

The Philippines has over three decades of experience in coastal management, beginning in 1978 when the country first defined its coastal zone. The 1980s saw the proliferation of communitybased coastal resources management, which focused on the establishment of localized MPAs to arrest the degradation of coastal habitats and the decline in fisheries. The implementation of a series of donor-assisted programs on coastal management during the 1990s provided the foundation for ICM, while the legal and policy framework for coastal management was established with the passage of the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) and the 1998 Fisheries Code (RA 8550). The Local Government Code in particular, assigned jurisdictional responsibility for coastal management from the central government to local governments, and is considered to be one of the major driving forces for the development of ICM in the country.

Through Executive Order 533 (2006) entitled “Adopting Integrated coastal management as a national strategy to ensure sustainable development of the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources and establishing and supporting mechanisms for its implementation”, ICM has been legally declared as the national management policy framework to promote sustainable development of the country’s coastal and marine resources in order to achieve food security, sustainable livelihood, poverty alleviation, and reduction of vulnerability to hazards, while preserving ecological integrity.

By 2009, Executive Order 797, was the legislation that adopted the CTI National Plan of Action (NPoA) as the primary framework for the development and implementation of all related plans and programs on marine and coastal resources management in the country and presents the ICM Framework with priority actions and targets. Figure 1, briefly illustrates the scope of the NPoA and where the ACCCoast Project focused its contribution in, namely, MPA system, Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Threatened Species. Under EO 797, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are the specified government agencies tasked to work with other national government agencies to ensure rationalized institutional arrangements, well-coordinated plans and programs, decisions and actions on marine and coastal resources.

DENR’s National Programs as contribution to the CTI-CFF NPoA As contribution to the CTI NPoA, DENR issued DAO 2012-02, to adopt the National Integrated Coastal Management Program (NICMP). The National ICM Program shall be implemented in all coastal and marine areas in the country, addressing the inter-linkages among associated watersheds, estuaries and wetlands, and coastal seas, by all relevant national and local agencies, with the Biodiversity Management Office as the defined Lead Office.

The NICMP guidelines (version September 2012) contain a governance framework wherein strategies pertaining to information and public awareness is one of the key element of governance, along with the integration of policy, scientific knowledge and other strategies to create a course of action at all levels of government that is conducive to sustainable development management of coastal and marine ecosystem. For Protected Areas under NIPAS, these are supervised by a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) composed of one representative each from the local government unit and the barangays situated within the protected area. Also, all protected areas under NIPAS are required to have a management plan with appropriate management zones. An innovative

Coral TriangIe Initiative-Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (EO 797)

Joint Secretariat. The DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and DA-BFAR, with full-time representatives from DFA, DoF, NEDA, NGOs, academe. and private sector.

Coordination Between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture

Integration of the NPOA Priority Actions into the Local Plans and Programs

Integration of the NPOA Priority Actions into the National Plans and Programs.

Adoption of the CTI National Plan of Action (NPOA) as the primary framework for the development and implementation of all related plans and programs, on marine and coastal resources management in the country. ) ICM As the National Management Policy Framework (EO 533 (2006)

Investment opportunities and sustainable funding mechanisms

Integrated environmental monitoring (status, progress, impacts)

Capacity-building programs to enhance human resources skills, scientific input to policy planning and enforcement mechanisms

Mainstream ICM in national and local planning and socio- economic development programs

Public awareness programs to increase understanding of, and appreciation for...shared responsibility in the planning and implementation

Coastal strategies and action plans that provide long-term vision

Inter-agency, multi-sectoral ent information system (DENR) Supporting mechanism (among others): Coastal and marine managem Threatened Species Status Improving

Climate Change Adaptation

MPAs Established and Effectively Managed

Ecosystem Approach to Management of Fisheries and other Marine Resources fully applied

Priority Seascapes designated and effectively managed

PRIORITY

Improved status of sharks, sea turtles, seabirds, mammals, corals, seagrass, mangroves and other identified threatened species

Region-wide early action for CCA Plan for the near- shore marine and coastal environment and small island ecoystems developed and implemented Conduct vulnerability and risk assessments Identify, document and implement immediate climate adaptation measures Mainstream early warning systems for vulnerable coastal settlements Formulate a Climate Change Adaptation Plan Engage private sector in improving DRM and develop economic incentives using climate- friendly technologies Implement laws on prevention of marine pollution... Develop infrastructure design... Mainstream ICM and CC in formal educational institutions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Region-wide Coral Triangle MPA system in place and functional Establish appropriate economic instruments for regulatory and revenue generating objectives Rehabilitate and manage mangrove forests Develop, adopt and implement national seagrass strategy 6. 7. 8.

Implement the Philippine marine sanctuary strategy Implement the SSME MPA Sub-Committee Workplan Identify mKBAs with at least one operational MPA network in each Link, network and develop new National Marine Centers of Excellence Strengthen capacity of LGUs and support services of the national government agencies on MPA management 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Review existing policies, plans and programs and their implication on MPA management 1 Promote participatory MPA management including women and youth 1 Promote reciprocal learning and capacity-building initiatives among MPAs to gain insights, learn lessons... 1 Coordinate research and studies on MPAs to enhance understanding and factors affecting them 1 Implement tools for assessing management effectiveness 1 Increase capacity for Green Courts 1 Increase financial resources to conduct Biodiversity Monitoring System for its full implementation and a regular activity of the DENR 1 Networked National Centers of Excellence on CCA in full operation

Strong legislative and regulatory frameworks in place Improved income, livelihoods and food security across the region through COASTFISH Effective measures in place to help ensure shared tuna stocks is sustainable.... More effective management and sustainable trade in live- reef fish and reef-based....

Priority Seascapes designated with investment plans completed and sequenced

TARGETS ACTIONS

Marine and Coastal resources within priority seascapes are managed sustainably

management technique is to include establishing a productive partnership with local communities through SM Lite to complement habitat conservation and rehabilitation and community organizing strategies. For fisheries management, the responsiblities are both with the national and municipal governments as encompassed in RA 8550. Municipalities/cities are encouraged to set aside 15% of municipal waters as marine fishery reserves. These areas, together with marine sanctuaries, are established by LGUs to improve fish productivity and preserve biodiversity with participation of community-based management initiatives of local communities.

In addition, the DENR also issued DAO No.2013-12, “Guidelines for the Implementation of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystems Management Program”, where in one of the five objectives is to “Promote public awareness and instill social and environmental consciousness on the value of coral reefs and associated coastal and marine ecosystems, especially on mitigating the effects of climate change”. The guidelines shall be implemented in MPAs under the NIPAS nationwide within locally-managed MPAs and identified marine Key Biodiversity Areas with potential for establishment of MPAs. This is a national program of the DENR from 2012 to 2020. The social mobilization and development of the Program aims not only to increase awareness but also includes technical and organizational capacity-building activities for People’s Organizations and NGOs.

It is noteworthy that despite the continuous shift from a single-sector to an integrated and multisector approach is happening, and that there is increasing recognition of the multitude of interacting issues and conflicting uses that cannot be addressed by one sector or through narrowly focused approaches, an integrative coastal land use planning system has not been fully established to enable integration of coastal and marine land use plans to be integrated into the mandated comprehensive land use plans mandated to be produced by local government units.

Many muncipalities/cities still use the Coastal Resources Management (CRM) process that contains Information Management, Education and Outreach as one of its key phases. (Figure 2)

Figure 2. Coastal Resources Management Planning (Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, and Department of the Interior and Local Government. 2001. Philippine Coastal Management Guidebook No. 3: Coastal Resource Management Planning. Coastal Resource Management Project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Cebu City, Philippines, 94 p.)

Information, Education and Communication (IEC) is encompassed in both EO 533 and 797, as well as within the Coastal Resources Management processes. This indicates that engaging local communities is an essential component of any ICM plan and program. The value of social marketing is that it’s a manageable communication planning tool to enhance knowledge and awareness of local land use planners and implementers about their own constituents’ behaviour, and how this behaviour can be steered so that local communities themselves can grasp the value behind technical and scientific processes in coastal and marine planning and management, and ultimately embrace and reap the benefits of sustainable living patterns.

Where can social marketing contribute? Local government units have the power and authority necessary to enforce laws and regulations to protect and manage critical habitats and species within the coastal and municipal waters. Although other agencies have administrative jurisdiction over certain areas or activities, the LGUs have the primary responsibility over the protection, development, conservation and sustainable utilization of living coastal and marine resources within their territories.

Local communities and fisherfolks themselves can serve as supplier of certain services (e.g., information, education and communication, training, technical assistance). Section 2 (c) of the LGC mandates the participation of stakeholders in CRM programs and projects. The law requires all national agencies and offices to conduct periodic consultations with nongovernmental and people’s organizations and other concerned sectors of the community before any project or program is implemented. Section 26 of the LGC further reiterates that:

“It shall be the duty of every national agency or government-owned or controlled corporation authorizing or involved in the planning and implementation of any project or program that may cause pollution, climatic change, depletion of non-renewable resources, loss of crop land, rangeland, or forest cover and extinction of animal or plant species to consult with the local government units, nongovernmental organizations, and other sectors concerned and explain the goals and objectives of the project or program, its impact upon the people and the community in terms of environmental or ecological balance and the measures that will be undertaken to prevent or minimize the adverse effects thereof.

As Information, Education and Awareness are embedded components within national and local coastal management processes, social marketing can be utilized to contribute to the following aspects:

Change mindsets and engage coastal households and other stakeholders in their roles on coastal and marine environment governance

The role of social marketing is to boost and sustain the participation of local communities, the private sector, NGOs, the academe and other civil society organizations’ important roles in ensuring the sustainable development of coastal and marine areas.

Communities and other stakeholders have a direct role in social marketing, including: • Advocate for policy reforms through strong core messages so that responsive environmental policies, ordinances, rules and regulations are created and implemented; • Demand good governance from their LGUs and public officials so that climate change adapation programs and projects for coastal and marine are developed, funded and implemented, and

greater transparency, public participation and accountability are observed Determine effective and low-cost methods to monitor and report illegal activites Participate as volunteers to do the qualitative and quantitative surveys, as campaign spokepersons, as member of the SM Lite Team, etc. Pinpoint effective channels of communication that are accessible and integrative in their own daily routines

Given that social marketing is a very focused communication intervention, the application of it can begin with the aim of building awareness on the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to coastal and biodiversity protection as well as the utilization of fishery resources. Below are some examples of potential conservation focus for a social marketing campaign:

Promote coastal habitat protection, conservation and management

Mangrove areas • Raise awareness that the conversion of mangrove areas into fishponds or for any other purpose is prohibited • Improve knowledge on the processes in the reversion of abandoned, underdeveloped, or undertilized fishponds. RA 8550 states that if a fishpond is abandoned, underdeveloped or underutilized {Section 46 (d)} five years after the issuance of the fish pond lease agreement, it should be reverted to public domain for reforestation. The LGU can coordinate with the

DENR, DA-BFAR, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC), and other concerned agencies, to identify which abandoned, undeveloped, or underutilized fishponds covered by Fishpond Lease Agreements can be reverted to their original mangrove state. The Fishpond Lease Agreements for such fishponds should be cancelled by BFAR and turned over to the DENR for mangrove reforestation purposes (Section 49, RA 8550). • Raise awareness that the cutting of mangroves is prohibited under the Revised Forestry Code or RA 7161.

Coral reefs • Improve the monitoring and reporting on the gathering, collection, and transporting of corals in their area of jurisdiction, which are prohibited by law.

Promote the protection of wildlife in coastal areas

Protected Areas, endangered, rare and threatened species • Increase knowledge and awareness in all laws governing the protection of endangered, rare and threatened species found in the coastal areas and municipal waters and the accompanying violations, fees and penalties for unlawful activities related to wildlife resources (The Wildlife

Act 9147 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations) • Increase appreciation of biologically important public lands that are habitats to rare and endangered species of plants and animals, biogeographic zones, and related ecosystems, whether terrestrial, wetlands, or marine. Protected and managed landscape/seascape, fish, bird, and wildlife sanctuaries are among the initial components of the NIPAS or RA 7586, Section 5.

Establishment of critical habitats • Section 25 of the Wildlife Act provides that “all designated critical habitats shall be protected, in coordination with the local government unit, from any form of exploitation or destruction

Underwater assessment in Brgy. Lacawon, Cadiz City in Negros Occidental

which may be detrimental to the survival of the species dependent therein.”

Adoption of flagship species • According to Section 35 of the Wildlife Act, “local government units shall initiate conservation measures for endemic species in their areas. For this purpose, they may adopt flagship species… which shall serve as emblems of conservation for the local government concerned.”

Increase knowledge and awareness of all fishery laws, rules and regulations and ordinances enacted by the municipality/city councils

Call to action to establish fishery refuge and sanctuaries • As part of the LGUs’ mandate to conserve, develop, and protect fishery resources within their municipal waters, LGUs in consultation with the FARMCs can enact an ordinance establishing fish refuge and sanctuaries (Section 81 of RA 8550). Fishery sanctuaries have biodiversity conservation functions though they are primarily established to help sustain fisheries production.

“In municipal waters, the concerned LGU in consultation with the FARMCs may establish fishery refuge and sanctuaries: Provided further, that at least fifteen percent (15%), where applicable, of total coastal areas in each municipality shall be identified based on the best available scientific data and in consultation with the Department, and automatically designated as fish sanctuaries by the LGUs in consultation with the concerned FARMCs” (Section 81, RA 8550).

Prohibited acts in the use and exploitation of fishery and aquatic resources • Raise awareness on prohibited acts in the use and exploitation of fishery and aquatic resources • Increase knowledge on the fines and penalties for violation

Water pollution • Increase knowledge on what and how permits are issued for fishery/aquatic resources privileges • Raise awareness on how pollution in the coastal and marine areas under their territorial jurisdiction is against the law

SM Lite

Goals and objectives • Core elements • • Key social marketing terms •