The document provides an overview of coastal management in the Philippines. It discusses that local government units have broad powers over coastal environments through devolution. It notes the fragmented governance with over 20 government units managing different coastal sectors. Key issues include a lack of integrated management, weak enforcement, and limited institutional and local capacities for coastal management. Emerging arrangements include partnerships between local and national agencies to better manage resources. The document concludes with discussing the first marine protected area established in Sumilon Island in 1974.

2. Overview of Coastal Management in the
Philippines
 Through the devolution of powers, LGUs possess
broad governmental powers such as the duty to
protect & manage the coastal and marine
environments, impose local fishery revenues and
taxes, to delineate their municipal waters and to
allocate the use of resources within municipal waters.
 Municipalities and cities serve as the primary unit of
governance for coastal management. The national
government is mandated to consult with the local
government units in their responsibility to manage
and maintain ecological balance within their
territorial jurisdiction.

3.  Statutes and regulations concerning coastal
management have existed for decades. They
clearly demonstrate, however, the lack of a single
law or administrative decree directly related to
integrated coastal management.
 Under current legislation, sectors and activities
affecting the coastal environment are regulated
through fragmented legislative mandates. In total,
more than 20 government units exercise separate
management powers and mandates over coastal
uses and sectors. Other government bodies also
serve as advisory and recommendatory councils.
In the initial years’ problems with devolution
varied from one municipality to another.

4. The Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) protects
the environmental integrity of
Philippine territorial waters, which
comprise 220 million hectares and
include the Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ). The DENR has the specific
mandate to manage mangrove and
associated terrestrial and aquatic flora
and fauna within the marine zone.

5. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR), an attached agency
of the Department of Agriculture (DA),
under the Fisheries Code exercises
general jurisdiction over all waters
outside of the municipal waters, all
commercial fishing boats greater than 3
gross tons and shoreland aquaculture
areas covered by fishpond lease
agreements (FLAs).

6. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

7. Key issues on institutional arrangements and
responsibilities for the implementation of
coastal and fisheries legislation
 Weak institutional integration- there is a
need for an integrated approach that
considers both land based activities and its
direct impact on coastal resource uses.
 Lack of viable fisheries management
mechanisms- no clear fisheries management
processes are implemented in coordination
w/ NGA’s, LGU’s, municipal and commercial
fisheries sector and other key stakeholders

8.  Lack of institutional and local capacities
for coastal management – limited
capacity of NGA’s and LGU’s to manage
coastal environments and resources
 Lack of institutional awareness and
informed stakeholders in coastal
management – increasing awareness
using all channels and methods to
improve local participation in the coastal
and marine resource management

9.  Ineffective enforcement of marine and coastal
laws – conflicting policies caused by differing
interpretations of the law, confusion of
jurisdictional roles among authorized agencies
and deputized local enforcers, selective
enforcement, minimal punishment of offenders,
lack of capacity for enforcement, lack of public
awareness
 Coastal resource management – initiatives have
failed even in areas where funding or projects
are available due to diversity of issues in coastal
areas that requires multi-sectoral collaboration,
government commitment and endless resources

10.  Sector policies and plans –
uncoordinated sector-level management
even within one government unit due to
numerous policies and plans for both
LGU’s and NGA’s;
Integrated Coastal Resource Management
Plans are developed by the LGU’s which
aims to incorporate coastal resource
management strategies into local
development activities.

12. EMERGING INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR
COASTAL MANAGEMENT
 Intra-LGU arrangements focus on the relationship between
municipal and barangay levels of government, POs, and other
coastal stakeholders.
 Inter-LGU arrangements are established between municipal
and provincial LGUs and between upland or adjacent LGUs to
preserve critical ecosystem functions.
 Institutional arrangements between local and national govt
agencies provide for resource sharing and technical assistance.
 Public-private sector partnerships are materializing as viable
joint ventures for a wide range of environmental infrastructure
and services. Community-based approaches that directly
involve coastal stakeholders and assisting organizations are of
paramount importance in the devolved functions.

14. Coastal Resource Management in the
Philippines: Sumilon Island, Cebu
The first marine protected area (MPA) in the country
established as a fish sanctuary was in 1974 on
Sumilon Island, Cebu under the guidance of the
Silliman University Marine Laboratory. The Sumilon
Island fish sanctuary is often mentioned as the
reason why coral reef fish sanctuaries contribute to
improved reef fisheries management. The
experiment in reef management which stopped all
fishing on one part of the Sumilon Island reef for
about 10 years, allowed researchers to collect
substantial data on the effects of this kind of
management of the coral reef and its related
fisheries.

15. The benefits provided compelling evidence for fish
biomass spillover from the sanctuary zone where no
fishing is allowed (the “no-take” areas). Such
evidence has been important in convincing
scientists, reef managers, and fisherfolk that fish
sanctuaries improve reef fisheries while benefiting
fisherfolk in the area.
Recent studies have not only indicated the beneficial
effects of fish sanctuaries on fishery yields and coral
reef protection, but also that people participating in
such management efforts gain in a variety of ways,
including through food security, cash income from
tourism and pride in their protection role. (White et
al. 1994, Katon et al. 1999, V ogt 1997).

17. Thank you!
References:
“Shared Responsibility of Fisheries Management in the Philippines”
Jessica C. Muñoz;
http://www.capri.cgiar.org/pdf/devolution_munoz.pdf
Coastal Resource Management.pdf. ‘Philippines Environment Monitor
2005.’
siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPHILIPPINES/Resources/PEM05-
ch2.pdf
Legal and Jurisdictional Framework for Coastal Management., Philippine
Coastal Management Guidebook Series No. 2
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34367726/Philippine-Coastal-Management-
Guidebook-Series-No-2