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Palompon, Leyte, Philippines
  

The local government invited individuals and representatives of variouseducation-training workshop sectors of the municipality to discuss and assess the situation, and together they planned possible actions to address the problem. This consultation led to the conceptualization of the program - Ecological Amelioration for Sustainable Development

It has four major strategies, namely: 1) environmental advocacy, 2) environmental legislation, 3) economic allevaiation, and 4) the creation of Human and Ecological Security Commission.

  • Environmental Advocacy

Promotion of environmental and ecological awareness in the municipality was the initial activity in this phase. The local government, with the assistance and support of various organizations, launched a massive and comprehensive information, and education campaign (IEC). They were able to mobilize more than a thousand volunteers from various sectors to participate in the initial planting of mangrove seedlings in Gumalac Island. This became an annual activity of the community. A Municipal Resolution was also passed institutionalizing the Peoples’ Day Program wherein issues and pressing concerns, grievances, and sentiments affecting the general welfare of the public are provided a venue for discussion and resolution.

  • Environmental Legislation

Aiming to bring back the balanced ecology in the area, the three islets (Tabuk, Gumalac, and Cabgan) were closed to human activities. Said islets are situated just across the mainland providing the municipality a natural barrier from typhoons. A Municipal Ordinance was passed fishingdeclaring the Island of Tabuk as a Fish and Bird Sanctuary, therefore all fishing activities in the island extending up to 200 meters on all sides are prohibited.

Other legislations passed include: total ban on the catching of danggit during the spawning season from February to April (eleg period), total ban on coral extraction, regulation on the use of superlight and other destructive fishing methods, and the establishment of a 24-hour patrol against illegal fishing and other violations of environmental laws.

  • Economic Alleviation

When fishing activities was prohibited in Tabuk Island, and controlled and closely monitored in the islands of Gumalac and Cabgan, the fisherfolks in the area had to be provided with alternative livelihood activity. To address this, a Municipal Livelihood Committee was formed composed of the local representatives of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and headed by the Municipal Vice-Mayor. The Committee was tasked to find ways to plan, implement, and supervise livelihood projects of the local government.

For skills development and technical know-how, community-based resource management training are regularly conducted for free by the local government for the community. They also linked with the local non-government organizations engaged in livelihood programs to find ways of giving additional income to fisherfolks during eleg period.

With the support of the Municipal Livelihood Committee and non-government organizations, the community members has organized themselves and are now actively venturing in various livelihood activities.

  • The Creation of Human and Ecological Security Commission

To ensure the guaranteed protection and preservation of the natural resources of the municipality, the local government organized the Human and Ecological Security Commission (HESC). This is attached to the mayor’s office and serves as the umbrella and organizational mechanism under which all environmental activities are coordinated.

Five years after the inception of the program, Palompon has succeeded in preventing further damage to whatever remained in their coastal environment. Moreso, they were able to increase the municipal income on fisheries.

mangrove plantingThe mangrove stands of Tabuk are now denser, thousands of wild ducks can be seen again on the islands, fish diversity has increased, migratory birds have returned for their annual visit. The number of volunteers for the annual planting of mangroves has continued to increase. More barangays in the area have declared their own fish sanctuary/s. After realizing the benefits of the program, practically all sectors of the community are one in supporting the program.


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