RCE Bohol-2014
1. Name of RCE :
RCE-Bohol
2. Continent:
Asia-Pacific
3. Country:
Philippines
5. Project Title:
Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture in Bool District: Sustainable Development through Community Empowerment
7.Project Partner Contact Information Provide information about the main contacts for the project. :
Organization:
Bohol Island State University
Role:
Partner Institution: takes charge in the overall collaboration of the project; provides technical expertise and labor counterparts
Main Contact:
Elpidio T. Magante, CE, Ed.D.
Organization:
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Role:
Partner Institution: provides technical expertise, materials for construction of mudcrab enclosure and a start-up capital of 52,000.00 pesos
Main Contact:
Mr. Criscencio Pahamutang
Organization:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Role:
Partner Institution: provides technical expertise, mangrove propagules for planting, and materials for board walk
Main Contact:
Mr. Nestor Canda
Organization:
Barangay Local Government Unit of Bool
Role:
Partner Institution: Co-implements the projects; provides the project sites and local counterparts
Main Contact:
Brgy. Captain Nestor Mendez
Organization:
People's Organization of Bool District
Role:
Partner Organization: Co-manages the projects
Main Contact:
Mr. Nilo Echavez
Organization:
Bool Elementary School
Role:
Partner Institution: Co-implements the projects
Main Contact:
Mr. Marcelino Pelin
9. Project Description Provide a short description of the project including regional challenges it addresses, its aims as well as project activities/strategies Allow text field (character count 500 words):
Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture in Bool District are component projects of the Productivity and Environmental Awareness for Community Empowerment (PEACE) Program implemented jointly by the Regional Center of Expertise-Bohol (RCE-Bohol), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Institute of Environment Rehabilitation and Conservation-Japan (ERECON) and the Association of Environmental and Rural Development-Thailand (AERD). At a micro-level perspective, they were indentified to respond to the initial but verified clamour of the officials of the Local Government of Bool, one of the Barangays of Tagbilaran City, to initiate mitigation measures for the gradual but continuing destruction of their seashore and mangrove area by pollution and poverty related economic activity brought about by migrants and illegal settlers in the barangay. While local officials have to accommodate the settlers, they should likewise contend with the problems associated with their presence. Through a memorandum of understanding, they collaborated with RCE-Bohol and implemented Mangrove Reforestation and Mudcrab Culture as an environmental and economic mitigation measures.
At a macro-level perspective, these twin projects respond specifically to the Development Agenda of the province of Bohol articulated in the acronym HEAT – Health and Sanitation, Education and Technology, Agriculture and Food Security, Tourism and Livelihood. Specifically, the project concretely translates into reality the interventions for Education, Food Security and Livelihood.
Being propelled by the challenges mentioned, the projects specifically aim to: (1) Educate the local residents on the role of the environment in their well-being and on the need to sustain it for continued utilization; (2) Provide a sustainable livelihood for local residents to address economic problems; (3) Empower socially the local residents through active involvement in the project implementation and management; and (4) Engage the member-institutions of RCE-Bohol in ESD implementation.
As an integrated approach to the project implementation, the following strategies and activities were conceived and implemented to dovetail with the identified aims:
1) Environment Information drive
This was mainly achieved through mangrove planting activities in the identified area in the shores of Bool. A lecture on mangroves was first given to participants for an understanding of the species and its benefits to the environment. College graduating students of Bohol Island State University Main Campus and those who were enrolled in Civic Welfare Services, a component track of the National Service Training Program, with their local counterparts in the barangay were the main participants of the activity. A total of 9000 live mangroves are presently monitored in Bool as a result of the joint planting activity.
The combination of lecture and actual planting enabled the participants to acquire not only knowledge but also actual experience and feeling of fulfilment towards the environment. This was so conceived in order to achieve not only a transfer of information but the acquisition of learning about the environment. Learning, as it should be, is measured by the achievement of the knowledge, psychomotor and affective objectives.
Moreover, plans have been laid out to strengthen the integration of environmental awareness in the basic education curriculum. In particular, Mangrove information drive was identified as an integral lecture in the science subject in Bool Elementary School with the visit to the mangrove area in the barangay as an educational tour. The DENR Bohol has already pledged to supply materials for the construction of board walk amidst the mangroves for educational and tourism purposes.
2) Mudcrab culture operation
To address the livelihood problems of the households in Bool, especially those which are living in the shore area, Mudcrab culture was made operational. Through the People’s Organization (PO), RCE-Bohol together with BFAR and DENR constructed a 200-meter enclosure amidst the thriving mangroves for culturing of mudcrab which are endemic to the area. With a start up capital of 52, 000 pesos from BFAR, the members of the PO purchased the initial crablets and feeds. After 15 days, the crabs were harvested and sold in the local market at a competitive value. Up until today, Mudcrab culture continues to operate and benefit the PO members. Most of those who are actively involved have taken full time in the project allowing them to consider it as their source of income. So far, it is the most successful Mudcrab culture operation relative to those which were also initiated in the different areas in the province.
3) Strengthening collaboration between local residents and RCE-Member institutions
This is mainly achieved during the planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects. RCE-Bohol sees to it that representatives of the PO and the Barangay take active role during these activities.
Moreover, collaboration among RCE-Bohol member institution is strengthened through these projects. Representatives of BISU, DENR and BFAR are regularly consulted for the mudcrab culture monitoring and scale up. On a voluntary basis, they also pledge resources, material and expertise alike, to sustain and improve the project.
4) Co-management of the Mudcrab culture
Mudcrab culture is co-managed by RCE-Bohol, through Bohol Island State University (BISU) and the People’s Organization (PO) in Bool. The PO members are into the actual operation of the culture – purchase of crablets, feeding, sale, and maintenance of site. BISU on the other hand, takes charge in the monitoring and scale up of the project.
At a macro-level perspective, these twin projects respond specifically to the Development Agenda of the province of Bohol articulated in the acronym HEAT – Health and Sanitation, Education and Technology, Agriculture and Food Security, Tourism and Livelihood. Specifically, the project concretely translates into reality the interventions for Education, Food Security and Livelihood.
Being propelled by the challenges mentioned, the projects specifically aim to: (1) Educate the local residents on the role of the environment in their well-being and on the need to sustain it for continued utilization; (2) Provide a sustainable livelihood for local residents to address economic problems; (3) Empower socially the local residents through active involvement in the project implementation and management; and (4) Engage the member-institutions of RCE-Bohol in ESD implementation.
As an integrated approach to the project implementation, the following strategies and activities were conceived and implemented to dovetail with the identified aims:
1) Environment Information drive
This was mainly achieved through mangrove planting activities in the identified area in the shores of Bool. A lecture on mangroves was first given to participants for an understanding of the species and its benefits to the environment. College graduating students of Bohol Island State University Main Campus and those who were enrolled in Civic Welfare Services, a component track of the National Service Training Program, with their local counterparts in the barangay were the main participants of the activity. A total of 9000 live mangroves are presently monitored in Bool as a result of the joint planting activity.
The combination of lecture and actual planting enabled the participants to acquire not only knowledge but also actual experience and feeling of fulfilment towards the environment. This was so conceived in order to achieve not only a transfer of information but the acquisition of learning about the environment. Learning, as it should be, is measured by the achievement of the knowledge, psychomotor and affective objectives.
Moreover, plans have been laid out to strengthen the integration of environmental awareness in the basic education curriculum. In particular, Mangrove information drive was identified as an integral lecture in the science subject in Bool Elementary School with the visit to the mangrove area in the barangay as an educational tour. The DENR Bohol has already pledged to supply materials for the construction of board walk amidst the mangroves for educational and tourism purposes.
2) Mudcrab culture operation
To address the livelihood problems of the households in Bool, especially those which are living in the shore area, Mudcrab culture was made operational. Through the People’s Organization (PO), RCE-Bohol together with BFAR and DENR constructed a 200-meter enclosure amidst the thriving mangroves for culturing of mudcrab which are endemic to the area. With a start up capital of 52, 000 pesos from BFAR, the members of the PO purchased the initial crablets and feeds. After 15 days, the crabs were harvested and sold in the local market at a competitive value. Up until today, Mudcrab culture continues to operate and benefit the PO members. Most of those who are actively involved have taken full time in the project allowing them to consider it as their source of income. So far, it is the most successful Mudcrab culture operation relative to those which were also initiated in the different areas in the province.
3) Strengthening collaboration between local residents and RCE-Member institutions
This is mainly achieved during the planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects. RCE-Bohol sees to it that representatives of the PO and the Barangay take active role during these activities.
Moreover, collaboration among RCE-Bohol member institution is strengthened through these projects. Representatives of BISU, DENR and BFAR are regularly consulted for the mudcrab culture monitoring and scale up. On a voluntary basis, they also pledge resources, material and expertise alike, to sustain and improve the project.
4) Co-management of the Mudcrab culture
Mudcrab culture is co-managed by RCE-Bohol, through Bohol Island State University (BISU) and the People’s Organization (PO) in Bool. The PO members are into the actual operation of the culture – purchase of crablets, feeding, sale, and maintenance of site. BISU on the other hand, takes charge in the monitoring and scale up of the project.
11.Provide references and reference materials (possibility to upload additional documents (up to 8mb):
12. Duration of the Project Start Date: End date::
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Describe Coordination and management of the project. Please also reflect how the RCE as a network organization has contributed to the project and the challenges involved, if any. Character count 400 words :
Coordination and Management
Being a product of collaboration among various stakeholders, Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture can only be successfully sustained through a strong coordination measure or mechanism between and among the partner institutions. The coordination measures adopted for these projects are of two levels: (1) between RCE and the community; and (2) among the member-institutions of RCE-Bohol.
To ensure that the planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects are well coordinated between RCE and the community, a point person, Dr. Gordiano Quilicot, from Bohol Island State University – the most active member of RCE – is allowed membership to the People’s Organization (PO) in Bool. While he reports to the university as a regular faculty member, he also attends the meetings of the PO. This enables him to report to the RCE Secretariat the status and development of the projects and in turn present to the PO and to the Barangay Local Government Unit for consideration and implementation the plans and proposed interventions of the RCE.
On the level of the member-institutions of RCE-Bohol, coordination is achieved by disseminating the progress and development of the projects to the partner-organizations and elicit from them viable intervention measures, material resources as well as expertise for the projects.
Projects in Bool are co-managed by the RCE and the PO. The planting of mangroves, weeding and growth monitoring are jointly done by Bohol Island State University and the PO. College graduating and CWTS students of BISU and the local residents were responsible for the now growing 9000 mangroves in the area.
On the other hand, while the local PO members are in-charge in the purchase, feeding and fattening as well sale of cultured Mudcrab, RCE-Bohol is into the monitoring of the progress and development of the project. RCE Bohol gives the PO members a free hand in their financial management however, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources suggested for a sharing scheme to sustain operation. From the sale of the fattened crabs, 40% goes to maintenance intended for purchase of crablets, feeds and minor repair of cages and 60% goes to savings for scale up and sustainability.
Contribution of RCE to the projects and Challenges involved
The contribution of RCE-Bohol in the project in Bool is identified in its coordination and collaboration facilitation. The network itself has meagre resources for the project implementation. However, it was able to pool together material and financial resources as well as expertise necessary for the projects to take-off and sustain operation. BISU provided expertise, logistics and human labor, DENR has contributed planting and other materials, and BFAR granted financial assistance and expertise. These have all been made possible because of the strengthened coordination and collaboration among RCE-Bohol member institutions.
Certain challenges however are inevitable. These include the seeming conflict of self-mandate and RCE mandates of the member institutions. This entails good prioritizing and management to ensure that both are responsibly done.
Being a product of collaboration among various stakeholders, Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture can only be successfully sustained through a strong coordination measure or mechanism between and among the partner institutions. The coordination measures adopted for these projects are of two levels: (1) between RCE and the community; and (2) among the member-institutions of RCE-Bohol.
To ensure that the planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects are well coordinated between RCE and the community, a point person, Dr. Gordiano Quilicot, from Bohol Island State University – the most active member of RCE – is allowed membership to the People’s Organization (PO) in Bool. While he reports to the university as a regular faculty member, he also attends the meetings of the PO. This enables him to report to the RCE Secretariat the status and development of the projects and in turn present to the PO and to the Barangay Local Government Unit for consideration and implementation the plans and proposed interventions of the RCE.
On the level of the member-institutions of RCE-Bohol, coordination is achieved by disseminating the progress and development of the projects to the partner-organizations and elicit from them viable intervention measures, material resources as well as expertise for the projects.
Projects in Bool are co-managed by the RCE and the PO. The planting of mangroves, weeding and growth monitoring are jointly done by Bohol Island State University and the PO. College graduating and CWTS students of BISU and the local residents were responsible for the now growing 9000 mangroves in the area.
On the other hand, while the local PO members are in-charge in the purchase, feeding and fattening as well sale of cultured Mudcrab, RCE-Bohol is into the monitoring of the progress and development of the project. RCE Bohol gives the PO members a free hand in their financial management however, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources suggested for a sharing scheme to sustain operation. From the sale of the fattened crabs, 40% goes to maintenance intended for purchase of crablets, feeds and minor repair of cages and 60% goes to savings for scale up and sustainability.
Contribution of RCE to the projects and Challenges involved
The contribution of RCE-Bohol in the project in Bool is identified in its coordination and collaboration facilitation. The network itself has meagre resources for the project implementation. However, it was able to pool together material and financial resources as well as expertise necessary for the projects to take-off and sustain operation. BISU provided expertise, logistics and human labor, DENR has contributed planting and other materials, and BFAR granted financial assistance and expertise. These have all been made possible because of the strengthened coordination and collaboration among RCE-Bohol member institutions.
Certain challenges however are inevitable. These include the seeming conflict of self-mandate and RCE mandates of the member institutions. This entails good prioritizing and management to ensure that both are responsibly done.
14. What are the current results of the project in terms of outputs (e.g. publications, developed practices, course materials)? Character count 300 words:
Plans are well underway to put into print the environment information, especially about mangrove, that has been disseminated to the local residents, in particular the school children. What is more observable as outputs however, are the developed practices that evolved after two years of the project implementation.
Most notable of which is the strengthened linkage between the university and the community and the national government agencies and the community. Universities are commonly regarded as ivory towers of knowledge that are at far distance from their surrounding communities. While they are repositories of knowledge which are largely potent for innovation and development, they are seldom consulted for solutions to existing problems in the community. The collaboration of RCE, through Bohol Island State University, and the community in Bool paved the way for a strengthened linkage between parties enabling knowledge and technology transfer to the latter. Community locals who were hesitant to refer, let alone approach a college professor or extensionist for solutions to problems, are now confident and less inferior to work with the university faculty. They have now been consistently invited in planning and stakeholder meetings and allowed active involvement in these activities.
National government agencies for their part have been given venue to translate their mandates. For some time, they have confused functions as they are national agencies in the local context. Local residents, let alone communities, seldom approach these agencies as they are more accustomed for help or intervention measures from their local government units. With Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture in Bool, local residents are closer and readily inclined to ask for assistance from DENR and BFAR as these agencies are directly involved in the project. Indeed, the linkage between the local residents and these national agencies has been strengthened through the projects. As this linkage is sustained, additional assistance for direct community development could be availed of.
Most notable of which is the strengthened linkage between the university and the community and the national government agencies and the community. Universities are commonly regarded as ivory towers of knowledge that are at far distance from their surrounding communities. While they are repositories of knowledge which are largely potent for innovation and development, they are seldom consulted for solutions to existing problems in the community. The collaboration of RCE, through Bohol Island State University, and the community in Bool paved the way for a strengthened linkage between parties enabling knowledge and technology transfer to the latter. Community locals who were hesitant to refer, let alone approach a college professor or extensionist for solutions to problems, are now confident and less inferior to work with the university faculty. They have now been consistently invited in planning and stakeholder meetings and allowed active involvement in these activities.
National government agencies for their part have been given venue to translate their mandates. For some time, they have confused functions as they are national agencies in the local context. Local residents, let alone communities, seldom approach these agencies as they are more accustomed for help or intervention measures from their local government units. With Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture in Bool, local residents are closer and readily inclined to ask for assistance from DENR and BFAR as these agencies are directly involved in the project. Indeed, the linkage between the local residents and these national agencies has been strengthened through the projects. As this linkage is sustained, additional assistance for direct community development could be availed of.
15. What are the expected/confirmed outcomes (e.g. impact of the project) Character count 400 words:
Environmental conservation
Illegal settlers cut thriving mangrove trees for house materials. As they are also good household fuels, most of them were sold as firewood in local market. The start of the implementation of mangrove planting has made the gradual and the eventual cessation of mangrove cutting activities in the area. This is largely due to the increased visibility of those who are tasked to monitor planted propagules and who guarded closely the newly planted ones and those which have been thriving in the area.
There is also an improvement of the marine biodiversity in the area. In a focus group discussion conducted by the RCE point person, sea shell pickers revealed the increase not only in the quantity but also in the kind of shells that they gather. Local fishermen also claimed that more fish are found in the mangrove area which attracted them to fish nearby. Those who are assigned as sentinels of the mudcrab enclosure likewise observe the increase of the fish in the area.
Economic benefits
The increase in quantity and quality of sea shells, seaweeds and fish in the area has benefitted those who find livelihood in them. But even those who were assigned as sentinels to the mudcrab enclosure claimed that they now have added income as they also pick shells in their free time.
Mudcrab culture benefits those who are engaged in its operation. From the sale of matured fattened mudcrab, 40% goes to the maintenance which includes the purchase of crablets, fish trash for food and other operating expenses while the 60% goes to the organization as a sinking fund. At present, they have not yet divided among themselves the sinking fund since they would like it to accumulate and thereby use it as additional capital to increase they purchase of crablets. So far, they have enjoyed the sale of fish which they have grown into commercial size together with the crablets. The fingerlings were not in fact purchased, unlike the crablets, since they simply catch them in the area. Some of these fish are the rabbitfish locally known as kitong or danggit and other reef fish which are competitively valued in the market.
Social upliftment/empowerment
The projects, the local residents claimed, have not only benefitted them economically. It has also enabled them to interact with university faculty and national government personnel by engaging them actively in the planning and implementation of the projects, and thus has boosted their sense of social relevance. Moreover, they felt that they have done something worth emulating as the mudcrab culture in Bool has been receiving students, BFAR personnel from the region and other visitors who would like to learn from the success of the implementation of the project.
Intensified service delivery
The initial success that the PO members are experiencing in the management and operation of the mudcrab culture has inspired the Barangay Local Government Unit of Bool. This has prompted the officials to include in their budget the installation of a solar panel which stores energy for electric bulbs and other power efficient gadgets. Today, PO members who are assigned as sentinels of the mudcrab enclosure during the night are already enjoying the presence of power for light bulb and transistors.
Illegal settlers cut thriving mangrove trees for house materials. As they are also good household fuels, most of them were sold as firewood in local market. The start of the implementation of mangrove planting has made the gradual and the eventual cessation of mangrove cutting activities in the area. This is largely due to the increased visibility of those who are tasked to monitor planted propagules and who guarded closely the newly planted ones and those which have been thriving in the area.
There is also an improvement of the marine biodiversity in the area. In a focus group discussion conducted by the RCE point person, sea shell pickers revealed the increase not only in the quantity but also in the kind of shells that they gather. Local fishermen also claimed that more fish are found in the mangrove area which attracted them to fish nearby. Those who are assigned as sentinels of the mudcrab enclosure likewise observe the increase of the fish in the area.
Economic benefits
The increase in quantity and quality of sea shells, seaweeds and fish in the area has benefitted those who find livelihood in them. But even those who were assigned as sentinels to the mudcrab enclosure claimed that they now have added income as they also pick shells in their free time.
Mudcrab culture benefits those who are engaged in its operation. From the sale of matured fattened mudcrab, 40% goes to the maintenance which includes the purchase of crablets, fish trash for food and other operating expenses while the 60% goes to the organization as a sinking fund. At present, they have not yet divided among themselves the sinking fund since they would like it to accumulate and thereby use it as additional capital to increase they purchase of crablets. So far, they have enjoyed the sale of fish which they have grown into commercial size together with the crablets. The fingerlings were not in fact purchased, unlike the crablets, since they simply catch them in the area. Some of these fish are the rabbitfish locally known as kitong or danggit and other reef fish which are competitively valued in the market.
Social upliftment/empowerment
The projects, the local residents claimed, have not only benefitted them economically. It has also enabled them to interact with university faculty and national government personnel by engaging them actively in the planning and implementation of the projects, and thus has boosted their sense of social relevance. Moreover, they felt that they have done something worth emulating as the mudcrab culture in Bool has been receiving students, BFAR personnel from the region and other visitors who would like to learn from the success of the implementation of the project.
Intensified service delivery
The initial success that the PO members are experiencing in the management and operation of the mudcrab culture has inspired the Barangay Local Government Unit of Bool. This has prompted the officials to include in their budget the installation of a solar panel which stores energy for electric bulbs and other power efficient gadgets. Today, PO members who are assigned as sentinels of the mudcrab enclosure during the night are already enjoying the presence of power for light bulb and transistors.
16. Are there any unexpected/unplanned results achieved by your project? If yes, briefly describe or list them . Character count 200 words.:
So far, the projects are gradually delivering the promise that the partner institutions have expected them to yield. Improvement in the marine biodiversity has come ahead as expected and the installation of the solar panel is a bonus addition. But it is the tour of students and the benchmarking for good practice of personnel from both the private and government organizations that came unexpected. The initiators of the projects had only the noble intentions of responding to some threat to the environment and at the same time address some livelihood issues of the local residents. It has not occurred to them that the projects could be showcased for best management.
On a different note, it came unexpected to the members of the PO that there will be a change of leadership in their group. The previous leader resigned for a post in the Barangay Council. A new leader assumed but has failed to meet the expectation of the members. Recently, the members became lukewarm; some even went inactive.
Interventions have already been initiated and it is expected that differences among members could be settled. Partner institutions are hopeful that this could be resolved since the success of the projects is too valuable for everyone to lose.
On a different note, it came unexpected to the members of the PO that there will be a change of leadership in their group. The previous leader resigned for a post in the Barangay Council. A new leader assumed but has failed to meet the expectation of the members. Recently, the members became lukewarm; some even went inactive.
Interventions have already been initiated and it is expected that differences among members could be settled. Partner institutions are hopeful that this could be resolved since the success of the projects is too valuable for everyone to lose.
17. What are the remaining challenges and/or limitations for further development? Character count 300 words.:
Mudcrab culture is only one of the projects in Bool. But is has taken off well so that initial success is still enjoyed by those who have worked on it. It has to be emphasized that such success is a product of strong collaboration among PO members. Both the leader and the members have concentrated their efforts and teamwork was the key. They have been there and have done it so that management issues and weakening enthusiasm has to be dealt with as it is the opposite of what made things possible. Settling of differences could be achieved by bargaining agreement and weakening enthusiasm could be resolved initially through teambuilding activities. Partner institutions, such as the Bohol Island State University, have expressed the willingness to facilitate intervention measures to address this challenge.
Another challenge that has to be dealt with is patronage politics in the city. Bool District is a component barangay of the City of Tagbilaran. By virtue of the Local Government Code of the Philippines, it is entitled to an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for salaries, honorarium and maintenance and other operating expenses. But grant projects which are not part of the IRA come in handy if the district is a well known supporter during elections of politicians in the higher level. It is a known fact among local residents of Bool that their barangay does not win the favor of the present mayor. In fact they claim that their Barangay Captain is not an ally of the present mayor. This has added to the weakening of the enthusiasm of the members of the PO. They claimed that in one occasion when they were on display of their crabs in an exhibit, their presence was ignored.
Remedies to patronage politics could be crafted and put into effect. Transformative approach could be a challenge to partner-institution to sustain the projects. A dialogue between the barangay and city officials could be arranged for strengthened collaboration.
Another challenge that has to be dealt with is patronage politics in the city. Bool District is a component barangay of the City of Tagbilaran. By virtue of the Local Government Code of the Philippines, it is entitled to an Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for salaries, honorarium and maintenance and other operating expenses. But grant projects which are not part of the IRA come in handy if the district is a well known supporter during elections of politicians in the higher level. It is a known fact among local residents of Bool that their barangay does not win the favor of the present mayor. In fact they claim that their Barangay Captain is not an ally of the present mayor. This has added to the weakening of the enthusiasm of the members of the PO. They claimed that in one occasion when they were on display of their crabs in an exhibit, their presence was ignored.
Remedies to patronage politics could be crafted and put into effect. Transformative approach could be a challenge to partner-institution to sustain the projects. A dialogue between the barangay and city officials could be arranged for strengthened collaboration.
18. What is the project’s contribution to innovative and transformative educational processes for sustainable development (especially regarding formal and/ non-formal learning/research)? Character count 500 words:
At one level, “ESD is the means to develop people’s capacities and opportunities to engage with sustainability issues so that they themselves can determine alternative ways of living” (IGES Policy Report 2012). The Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture in Bool District have partially achieved the objectives set forth for it. These objectives include environmental awareness through information learning, environmental conservation, economic and social empowerment and policy transformation. The key contribution of the projects lies in the fact that it is not a dole out extension intervention measure. It is something that the local residents and their officials have to work on to be successful. It starts off with the realization that the environmental problems and economic issues that they are confronted with could only be solved through a concerted effort of changing their perspective of development and using such perspective to transform the very environment, both physical and social, that they live into a more liveable and sustainable one. The implementation of the projects of course required some start up priming such as materials and financial resources. Eventually however, they were allowed to take a free and responsible hand to manage the projects under monitoring of the partner institutions which are only there to guide them. They have to be acquainted with the realities of development, including the challenges that they have to squarely face, in order to fully acquire learning by doing. And as they learn to transform their society and change the world, they at the same time reap the benefits for their and the future generations’ well-being.
The projects in Bool further contribute to ESD implementation by spurring innovation in research. During the strategic planning of Bohol Island State University (BISU) as an RCE member institution sometime in February 2014, the People’s Organization president shared that they have difficulty in their supply of feeds to the crablets for fattening. The crablets are alternately fed with trash fish or amahong, a local sea shell, depending on supply availability. Trash fish easily become seasonal depending on sea condition so that they opt for amahong which is priced higher as a substitute good. With the expressed need for cheaper but equally nutritious feeds for the crabs, a researcher from one of the campuses of BISU proposed for a feed formulation from abundantly available local source.
Pomacea canaliculata, locally known as golden kohol, has been a pest to many rice fields in the province. Considering that rice production takes the bigger portion of the local agricultural industry, the infestation of golden kohol has indeed generally taxed substantially the farmers’ finances for its control through the use of synthetic pesticides. The locals have not considered golden kohol a part of their diet. In order to naturally curve their increase or at least make use of their abundance, the researchers from Bohol Island State University experimented on the meat of golden kohol as the main ingredient for feeds to crabs and others. With literatures of studies conducted on golden Kohol, the researchers were able to present their research output on September 10-12, 2014 highlighting that golden kohol could indeed be processed for feeds. Additional trials are now planned for the eventual production of feeds for crabs out of golden kohol meat.
The projects in Bool further contribute to ESD implementation by spurring innovation in research. During the strategic planning of Bohol Island State University (BISU) as an RCE member institution sometime in February 2014, the People’s Organization president shared that they have difficulty in their supply of feeds to the crablets for fattening. The crablets are alternately fed with trash fish or amahong, a local sea shell, depending on supply availability. Trash fish easily become seasonal depending on sea condition so that they opt for amahong which is priced higher as a substitute good. With the expressed need for cheaper but equally nutritious feeds for the crabs, a researcher from one of the campuses of BISU proposed for a feed formulation from abundantly available local source.
Pomacea canaliculata, locally known as golden kohol, has been a pest to many rice fields in the province. Considering that rice production takes the bigger portion of the local agricultural industry, the infestation of golden kohol has indeed generally taxed substantially the farmers’ finances for its control through the use of synthetic pesticides. The locals have not considered golden kohol a part of their diet. In order to naturally curve their increase or at least make use of their abundance, the researchers from Bohol Island State University experimented on the meat of golden kohol as the main ingredient for feeds to crabs and others. With literatures of studies conducted on golden Kohol, the researchers were able to present their research output on September 10-12, 2014 highlighting that golden kohol could indeed be processed for feeds. Additional trials are now planned for the eventual production of feeds for crabs out of golden kohol meat.
19.How can you scale up and mainstream ESD and SD practices of the project and enable it to contribute to the implementation of the Global Action Programme (GAP) as proposed by UNESCO? (max 300 words):
Environment information drive is the ESD practice in the Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture projects in Bool District. As described above (questions #9), this is achieved through a lecture about the mangrove species and its benefits to the environment to the students of Bohol Island State University who are graduating and those who are enrolled in the CWTS program before they plant the mangroves. “The combination of lecture and actual planting enabled the participants to acquire not only knowledge but also actual experience and feeling of fulfilment towards the environment. This was so conceived in order to achieve not only a transfer of information but the acquisition of learning about the environment. Learning, as it should be, is measured by the achievement of the knowledge, psychomotor and affective objectives” (Ibid to #9).
This environment information drive can be scaled up in order to support the Whole-institution Approaches of GAP. With the plan to put into printed materials the lectures conducted before the planting, information about mangroves and their benefits to the environment could now be disseminated to students in the university at all levels. This could have priming effects on them, setting the mood/conditioning everyone in the University for the Integration of ESD into the curriculum, the next step of the transformation of the university to become an environmentally conscious institution. The mangrove information dissemination to the students, faculty and staff of the university is just the entry point of additional information about the environment.
Moreover, co-management by the community is one SD practice in the projects. This strategy not only enables the local people to determine their needs but also to find solution and sustain such solution for their well-being. In effect, this is a practice that empowers the community – a well deserved translation into reality of the aims of Local Communities of the GAP. This could be scaled up by employing the same strategy, as particular circumstances may warrant, to the implementation and management of programs, projects and activities in the other development sites of RCE-Bohol.
This environment information drive can be scaled up in order to support the Whole-institution Approaches of GAP. With the plan to put into printed materials the lectures conducted before the planting, information about mangroves and their benefits to the environment could now be disseminated to students in the university at all levels. This could have priming effects on them, setting the mood/conditioning everyone in the University for the Integration of ESD into the curriculum, the next step of the transformation of the university to become an environmentally conscious institution. The mangrove information dissemination to the students, faculty and staff of the university is just the entry point of additional information about the environment.
Moreover, co-management by the community is one SD practice in the projects. This strategy not only enables the local people to determine their needs but also to find solution and sustain such solution for their well-being. In effect, this is a practice that empowers the community – a well deserved translation into reality of the aims of Local Communities of the GAP. This could be scaled up by employing the same strategy, as particular circumstances may warrant, to the implementation and management of programs, projects and activities in the other development sites of RCE-Bohol.
22.What is the significance of this project for developing global linkages in order to strengthen activities in this area? (max 250 words):
The thematic area which the projects in Bool District specifically work in is community empowerment for sustainable environment and livelihood. This area, when successfully worked on, would yield positive effects both to the local and global communities.
At the local level, Mangrove planting addresses both environmental protection and livelihood concern. The threats of climate change that bring about erratic weather conditions affecting the seas have already been felt in the province. Mangroves, when properly nurtured to grow to maturity, are a good buffer from waves to protect the shores. They also function to strain garbage, indiscriminately thrown into the sea. More importantly, they provide a cooler and more secured ground for fish to spawn and other sea creatures to thrive. Additionally, matured and fully grown mangroves could contribute significantly to the greening of the environment.
Mangrove planting in Bool has been assessed to have reached an initial success. At present, 9000 live mangroves are monitored by the local residents and Bohol Island State University to ensure that they grow into full maturity. What does this indicate? This implies that proper project management could ensure success to any attempt to implement sustainable development. There is therefore a need for networking; linkaging from the provincial, to the regional and eventually to the global level in order to showcase best practices in SD management for possible replication.
Mudcrab culture in Bool has also been assessed to have achieved initial success. Among the mudcrab culture projects launched in Bohol, only the project in Bool has survived and continues to operate today. Members have claimed that they have not only generated additional income but feel proud of their achievement. Students and personnel from both the public and private sectors have visited their site to learn from their experience. Again, replication of what they have done can potentially benefit the entire region.
Networking and linkaging is therefore necessary for exchange of learning. From the local up to the global level, such linkaging mutually benefit the parties and therefore would increase the level of activity in the area – environmental protection and sustainable livelihood.
At the local level, Mangrove planting addresses both environmental protection and livelihood concern. The threats of climate change that bring about erratic weather conditions affecting the seas have already been felt in the province. Mangroves, when properly nurtured to grow to maturity, are a good buffer from waves to protect the shores. They also function to strain garbage, indiscriminately thrown into the sea. More importantly, they provide a cooler and more secured ground for fish to spawn and other sea creatures to thrive. Additionally, matured and fully grown mangroves could contribute significantly to the greening of the environment.
Mangrove planting in Bool has been assessed to have reached an initial success. At present, 9000 live mangroves are monitored by the local residents and Bohol Island State University to ensure that they grow into full maturity. What does this indicate? This implies that proper project management could ensure success to any attempt to implement sustainable development. There is therefore a need for networking; linkaging from the provincial, to the regional and eventually to the global level in order to showcase best practices in SD management for possible replication.
Mudcrab culture in Bool has also been assessed to have achieved initial success. Among the mudcrab culture projects launched in Bohol, only the project in Bool has survived and continues to operate today. Members have claimed that they have not only generated additional income but feel proud of their achievement. Students and personnel from both the public and private sectors have visited their site to learn from their experience. Again, replication of what they have done can potentially benefit the entire region.
Networking and linkaging is therefore necessary for exchange of learning. From the local up to the global level, such linkaging mutually benefit the parties and therefore would increase the level of activity in the area – environmental protection and sustainable livelihood.
23. What is novel about the project within the RCE network and what could other RCEs learn from this experience? (Answer only if relevant) Character count 250 words.:
Project management and implementation techniques are available and could come handy to ensure success. The joint Implementation of the projects in Bool has availed of some of these techniques. Relatively, there is therefore nothing novel in Mangrove planting and mudcrab culture. We believe, on the other hand, that there is more uniqueness in the approach that we have employed. Such uniqueness is embodied in the participation of the community through their organization where locals are given more leverage not only in the planning but also in the implementation, monitoring, assessment and eventually evaluation of the projects. This capacity building and empowerment approach enables the locals to claim ownership of the projects and in turn encourages them to take responsibility in ensuring the projects’ success.
It is not for us to appropriate what other RCEs could learn from us. We have different approaches relative to our circumstances. It is even possible that it is us who can learn more from their experiences. Perhaps, it is more unassuming to offer what we think can be a possible approach that RCEs which have more parallel circumstances with us may adopt.
RCE-Bohol is a network of public and private organizations that implements ESD. The Secretariat, which is in-charge of the overall coordinating and collaborating work, is the Bohol Island State University (BISU). This set-up makes BISU as the most active member-institution. It is BISU which provides for the office and its personnel aside from the pool of experts that it is willing to deploy for the sustainable implementation of the projects. But sustaining the office has always been a challenge to the administration. The network itself cannot provide for the resources needed both material and human as membership fee to it has not yet been collected. The RCE personnel are in fact faculty members of the university whose time is also largely shared with the students and with the university.
How have we managed to sustain our operation? We believe we have done it by empowering our project beneficiaries. We have to ensure that our partner communities have to be engaged in the implementation and management of the projects in a level that would mutually benefit both parties. While this approach decreases to some extent the degree of our responsibility, it has also made the locals more socially and economically empowered.
Likewise, the university does not solely shoulder the burden of providing for the necessary expertise and finances for the projects. We have addressed this challenge by engaging the member-institutions in the projects through their pledges of human and material resources.
So far, we have proved our approach effective in the Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture Projects in Bool.
It is not for us to appropriate what other RCEs could learn from us. We have different approaches relative to our circumstances. It is even possible that it is us who can learn more from their experiences. Perhaps, it is more unassuming to offer what we think can be a possible approach that RCEs which have more parallel circumstances with us may adopt.
RCE-Bohol is a network of public and private organizations that implements ESD. The Secretariat, which is in-charge of the overall coordinating and collaborating work, is the Bohol Island State University (BISU). This set-up makes BISU as the most active member-institution. It is BISU which provides for the office and its personnel aside from the pool of experts that it is willing to deploy for the sustainable implementation of the projects. But sustaining the office has always been a challenge to the administration. The network itself cannot provide for the resources needed both material and human as membership fee to it has not yet been collected. The RCE personnel are in fact faculty members of the university whose time is also largely shared with the students and with the university.
How have we managed to sustain our operation? We believe we have done it by empowering our project beneficiaries. We have to ensure that our partner communities have to be engaged in the implementation and management of the projects in a level that would mutually benefit both parties. While this approach decreases to some extent the degree of our responsibility, it has also made the locals more socially and economically empowered.
Likewise, the university does not solely shoulder the burden of providing for the necessary expertise and finances for the projects. We have addressed this challenge by engaging the member-institutions in the projects through their pledges of human and material resources.
So far, we have proved our approach effective in the Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Culture Projects in Bool.
24. What is the significance of this project for the region? How important are its results for its particular project category? Character count 250 words.:
Significance of the Projects to the region
Because of the devastation of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake a year ago, the economy of the province of Bohol which had been seen to have risen positively, was considerably affected aggravating problems that had been gradually addressed in the past. Areas of concern for development intervention now no longer just include economy and livelihood but also health, education, threats of climate change and disaster risk reduction among others. It is for this reason that the provincial government continues to implement and even intensifies development measures aptly expressed in the acronym HEAT-Bohol (Health and Sanitation, Education and Technology, Agriculture and Food Security, Tourism and Livelihood). The Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Cutlure projects in Bool district help translate into reality the objectives of HEAT-Bohol by concretely providing development intervention measures in education, especially environment education, food security, livelihood and possibly tourism.
Project Categories (capacity development, community engagement)
Previously, it is mentioned that the more observable results in terms of outputs of the projects are the “developed practices that evolved after two years of the project implementation” and one of these is “the strengthened linkage between the university and the community and the national government agencies and the community” (refer to question #14).
As it is, the strengthened linkage enables the members of the PO, and thus impliedly the community, to participate in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects. This itself, qualifies the projects to be rightfully and fittingly identified in the “community engagement” category. Moreover, as the locals; the community in general, is involved in the management of the projects, allowing them to sustain its operation; address its challenges, they have been developed in their capacity to address socio-economic, educational and environmental development issues for their well-being.
Because of the devastation of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake a year ago, the economy of the province of Bohol which had been seen to have risen positively, was considerably affected aggravating problems that had been gradually addressed in the past. Areas of concern for development intervention now no longer just include economy and livelihood but also health, education, threats of climate change and disaster risk reduction among others. It is for this reason that the provincial government continues to implement and even intensifies development measures aptly expressed in the acronym HEAT-Bohol (Health and Sanitation, Education and Technology, Agriculture and Food Security, Tourism and Livelihood). The Mangrove Planting and Mudcrab Cutlure projects in Bool district help translate into reality the objectives of HEAT-Bohol by concretely providing development intervention measures in education, especially environment education, food security, livelihood and possibly tourism.
Project Categories (capacity development, community engagement)
Previously, it is mentioned that the more observable results in terms of outputs of the projects are the “developed practices that evolved after two years of the project implementation” and one of these is “the strengthened linkage between the university and the community and the national government agencies and the community” (refer to question #14).
As it is, the strengthened linkage enables the members of the PO, and thus impliedly the community, to participate in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects. This itself, qualifies the projects to be rightfully and fittingly identified in the “community engagement” category. Moreover, as the locals; the community in general, is involved in the management of the projects, allowing them to sustain its operation; address its challenges, they have been developed in their capacity to address socio-economic, educational and environmental development issues for their well-being.
Region:
Asia-Pacific
