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CY 2007 ANNUAL REPORT
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PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
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FOREIGN-ASSISTED AND
LOCALLY FUNDED PROJECTS |
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OIL SPILL a. Updates in the Rehabilitation
Activities Related to Guimaras Oil
Spill The August 11, 2006 MT Solar I Oil
Spill incident was considered so far as one of the major and disastrous oil
spill incidents that happened in the Philippine Archipelago. It created havoc
to the integrity of the pristine coastal resources to include the mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs, fishes, invertebrates, other
important marine organisms and the sea-based livelihood activities of the
coastal communities of The South West Monsoon drifted the spilled oil to
the coastal barangays including the TINMR and its
islets in Nueva |
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1.1. UNDP-Funded
Technical Assistance for the Early
Recovery of the Oil-Spill Affected Areas in the
a. Attendance of Chief, Coastal and Marine
Management Division (CMMD), DENR 6, Vilma G. Limates to the Short Course Training at UNESCO-IHE, Delft, Netherlands on April
2007 To enhance the technical
skills and capabilities of DENR personnel in terms of Coastal Resource
Management thrusts and objectives, the UNDP extended the financial support to
CMMD Chief, Vilma G. Limates
during her attendance to the Short Course Training on Integrated Coastal Zone
Management at UNESCO-IHE, |
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b. Conduct of Integrated Coastal Zone and
Disaster Risk Management Training for the Local Government Units of Guimaras A Training on
Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Risk Management was conducted at Guimaras Technology and Information Center (GTIC) in the Dr. Lou Mercado and Director Robert Jara of
Coastal and Marine Management Office, One important output of the training was the signing of the Pledge of
Commitment by the five (5) Mayors to implement holistic and dynamic coastal
resource management programs in their respective jurisdiction. Likewise, they
formulated their respective action plan as a follow-up activity after the
training, but most of them are hesitant to come up with projects considering
that they do not have enough budget to finance it for this year. c. Environmental Assessment of Affected Areas |
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A large pie of the assistance extended by UNDP was utilized in the conduct of environmental assessment to assess the effect of oil spill on the major coastal ecosystems. Coordination meetings with UP in the Visayas experts and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were conducted for the preparation of documents in the conduct of environmental assessment. Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) between DENR and UPV; DENR and BFAR; and DENR and Provincial Government of Guimaras were prepared to that effect. |
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d. Mangrove Assessment
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Initial assessments on mangroves were conducted last 2006. The third
assessment conducted by DENR 6 was on June 2007. It further included the assessment of the
recovery process of mangroves. This was done through inventory of tree
mortality and charted them on the map. Some severely affected mangrove stands
in 26 observation sites were observed to be recovering from the impacts of
the oil spill. But, there was
mortality especially among mature trees particularly in 4 out of 26
observation sites. These are located in the following areas: So. Punta Araguy, Panobolon, Nueva Some mangrove trees in other
observation sites showed signs of damages such as callus formation on trunks
coupled with the debarking of some mature trees (mostly of Bacauan spp), exuding
oil-substance from the wood portion attached to the inner bark, die-back,
‘oozing’ of oil substance from the trunks of Bungalon,
defoliation, and susceptibility to insect-pest attacks. The result of this assessment served
as basis for subsequent planning and decision making for rehabilitation in
order to enhance the mangrove recovery process. |
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e. Mangrove Characterization for Protection
and Sustainable Development The survey, mapping, inventory and characterization
are steps aimed to conserve and protect the remaining mangrove forest. The
aforementioned activities were undertaken in order to identify the existing
mangrove vegetation/stand for possible rehabilitation. The survey and mapping
were aimed towards determining the area and location of the mangroves. On the
other hand, the inventory and characterization were aimed to identify the
condition, classification, and type of forest, species and their number. |
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These activities were conducted at Brgy. Sabang and portion of Brgy. Results showed that diverse
species of flora and fauna are found in the area. Different species of
mangrove and mangrove associates were observed to include Bakauan
lalaki, Bakauan babae, Bungalon, Api-api, Pagatpat, Buta-buta, Bakauan bato, Tabigi and Kulasi. Mangrove associates found are Pandan-dagat,
Dapdap, Dungon, Tui, Aroma, Talisai, and Malabago. Faunal species found in the area include birds
like Crow and King Fisher, shells inhabiting the roots of bakauan,
fishes like rabbit fish and cardinal fish, reptile, mollusks and crustaceans.
Some of these species like crabs, lobster and fish serve as livelihood of the
nearby community. After nearly a year from the occurrence of oil-spill tragedy, signs of
recovery are observed in the area. This is manifested by the presence of
faunal species such as shells in the roots of mangrove trees and crustaceans
like crab and lobster. Another sign of recovery is the regeneration of
mangrove as manifested by the seedlings growing below the mature individuals.
The most common management issue observed in the area is the presence of wide fishponds near the mangrove areas. The fishponds are used for aquaculture of bangus and some other fish species. Soil near the mangroves is also excavated to be used in the banks of the fishponds. Mangrove trees are also cut down and are used in the maintenance of the fishpond banks. Another management issue observed is the encroachment of the local community into the mangrove areas. Houses have been observed inside the mangrove areas, which are even reached by high tide. |
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f. Terrestrial Biodiversity Assessment of Terrestrial Biodiversity Assessment
(TBA) was conducted within Taklong Island National
Marine Reserve (TINMAR) located in Brgys. Lapaz and Tando, Results showed that among the floral species, Magtalisay
(Barringtonia racemosa) was the most abundant tree species. While for
fauna, the most abundant were the butterflies/moths (Order Lepidoptera). Most
dominant bird species was Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis
panayensis).The abundant number of
butterflies/moths can be attributed to the presence of various flowering
plants that serve as host and source of food of these organisms. TINMR is
composed of a secondary growth forest based on sufficient number of traces of
cuttings of climax species (i.e. Magtalisay, Molave, Bagalonga)
as evidenced by the presence of stumps which reiterated/forked. This
biodiversity inventory and assessment over the
beach forest ecosystem within the Taklong Island
National Marine Reserve identified the need for rehabilitation in view of the
interventions over the area such as oil spill, etc which may result to some ecological
disturbances. It also determined and pinpointed the total area of the beach
or limestone forest within the marine reserve and the areas covered by the
habitat of the identified threatened (vulnerable) Tabon
scrub fowl (Megapodius cumingii)
over the area. |
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g. Post
Water Quality Monitoring of Oil and Grease The purpose of the monitoring is to determine
the level of concentration of oil and grease and other related
parameters. There were twenty-three
(23) monitoring stations in the For the All readings gathered since February
of this year were above the standard of 2 mg/li for
“Class SB” or for bathing purposes.
The results which were not within the standards could be attributed to
the fact that there are still uncollected oiled materials; and oil seeped
into the soil, roots of sea grass, mangroves, pebbles, rocks and sand along
the shoreline and is carried by tidal and current movements. Based on the results, there is still
a need to continue the monitoring of oil and grease content in seawater until
such time the result is within the standard.
Survey, assessment and mapping of contaminated shoreline must be
conducted coupled with the clean up of the areas that have still the presence
of oil and grease specifically on the removal of oiled debris.
h. Monitoring of UNDP
Livelihood Projects The DENR 6 spearheaded the conduct of
monitoring of the UNDP livelihood projects on March 20-22 and 27-28, 2007 in
the five municipalities of the |
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The livelihood projects monitored were the following :
Egg Layer, Salabat
Production, Duck Eggs Production, Tilapia/Hito
Culture, Raising of Native
Chicken, and Buy and Sell of Scrap
Items/Recyclable Materials.
Recommendations were provided by the team to LGU-Guimaras
in line with the implementation of these livelihood projects. |
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1.2. Oil Spill Activities Funded by Mirant
Philippines Foundation, Inc. a. Establishment of
Linkage with Mirant Philippine Foundation, Inc. Another new linkage of DENR thru the
Ecosystems Research and Development Service (ERDS) was the partnership with Mirant Philippines Corporation thru Mirant
Philippines Foundation, Inc. now Team Energy Corporation. |
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The corporation was one of the private entities which responded quickly
to the call for support of the former DENR Secretary Angelo T. Reyes to the Guimaras oil spill incident. Although, the corporation
was sold to a new owner now, the corporation continually fulfills its
commitment and in partnership with the DENR-ERDS 6 the assessment of oil
spill affected mangrove stands in the The three-year project is implemented by the two (2) People’s Organizations,
namely: the Tando Mangrove Growers Association, Barangay Tando, Nueva b. Establishment of Mangrove Nursery and
Component Structures The project aims to establish mangrove
nurseries that would supply the planting material requirements of areas to be
rehabilitated in oil spill-affected sites in Guimaras
and
§
To
develop/enhance human resource capabilities (for the local populace) on
effective mangrove rehabilitation and
management; and
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The
project has the following components: establishment and management of two (2)
mangrove central nurseries, rehabilitation of oil-spill affected areas,
capability building for project implementers,
technical, organizational, financial (to include simple bookkeeping),
value orientation trainings, and monitoring of project implementation and
impacts of oil spill on mangrove ecosystems. Accomplishments of the project include the conduct of project orientation
of the POs and the DENR Field Offices on May
8, 2007 and assessment and survey of the project sites last March 16
and April 13, 2007. After the turn over of financial assistance of Mirant
to DENR May 24, 2007, the project took its full swing in terms of nursery
establishment, production of planting stocks, and rehabilitation of the
mangrove stands in oil spill affected areas in Guimaras
and |
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The Development Plans for the two project sites in Culasi,
Ajuy, The mangrove nurseries and the component structures in Tando and Culasi were also
completed. Constructed structures include the nursery house with comfort
room, hardening shed, potting shed, germination shed, seed boxes and sunken
beds. |
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c. Conduct of Training on Mangrove
Rehabilitation and Management A Training on Mangrove Rehabilitation and Management for Project
Implementers in Culasi, Ajuy,
Iloilo and Tando, Nueva
Valencia, Guimaras was conducted on June 25-26 and
28-29, 2007 respectively. The activity was attended by 112 officers and
members of the Culasi Fishermen’s Association and Tando Mangrove Growers Association. Topics discussed by the ERDS and Mirant Staff include the following : Introduction to Mangrove Management in the
Philippines, Mangrove Ecosystems and Its Importance, Establishment and Management of Mangrove
Nursery and Plantation, Simple
Accounting and Bookkeeping, and
Procedure in Financial Monitoring.
After the lectures, workshops were conducted where the details of the
mangrove nursery, plantation establishment and schedule of activities for
implementation were prepared and presented by the participants. The outputs
will serve as their guide in carrying out the programmed activities
stipulated in the approved work and financial plan. |
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d.
Production of Planting Stocks The two (2) PO implementers started producing planting stocks in their
respective nurseries in Culasi, Ajuy,
These mangrove planting stocks will be used for the establishment of
plantation as part of the rehabilitation measures for the oil spill affected
areas in e.
Creation of Regional Validation Team A Validation Team was created responsible for the
conduct of actual validation and
inspection of established mangrove nursery to include inventory of potted
seedlings/propagules produced, and established
mangrove plantation recommended for billing and payment based on the standards
and specifications stipulated in the project’s approved work and financial
plan and payment schedule. f.
Turn-over of One Computer Unit to
Barangay Tando, Nueva One (1) computer unit with accessories committed
by the Mirant to the Barangay
Local Government Unit of Tando was already
turned-over during the Regional Launching of the GPP Trees for Life on
September 19, 2007. |
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1.3.
Rehabilitation Activities under the Calamity Fund per RA 9358 a.
Oplan Oil Recovery Operations |
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The OpPlan Oil Recovery Operations (ORO) Teams
composed of personnel from Coast Guard and DENR were deployed within the
strategic areas to monitor and assist the oil recovery operations conducted
on March 10-April 01, 2007. Two (2) PCG Oil Spill Response Team Boats with a
distance of about 300 meters from the allied shield vessel assisted in the
ORO site. Water samples were taken in four (4) different locations. These
samples were immediately brought to the region for laboratory tests. The
robots, Discovery 5 and Triton 04 were maneuvered underwater to conduct the
ORO. Operation Centers were
established in the DENR region office, PENRO Guimaras
and PENRO Negros Occidental in b. Aerial Survey of Oil Spill Affected
Areas The region through the PAWCZMS and PENRO Guimaras assisted Dr. Frank Laurelle of International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITDPF) in the conduct of aerial and ground survey of the oil spill affected mangrove areas in Guimaras on April 21, 2007 and on April 23, 2007, respectively. c. Intermediary Assessment and Forum on the
Impact of Oil Spill in the ENR Programs and Projects Alongside with the Regional Management Conference on December 34, 2007
was also the Intermediary Assessment and Forum on the Impact of Oil Spill in
the ENR Programs and Projects also held in the same venue. Results of the
different assessments conducted related to mangroves, terrestrial
biodiversity and water quality monitoring within the oil spill affected areas
in the provinces of Guimaras and |
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d. Preparation of the Work and Financial Plan
for Oil Spill under the Calamity Fund The preparation of the P130 M Calamity Fund for the rehabilitation of
oil-spill affected areas in the |
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1.4. Support for the Rehabilitation of Oil- Spill Affected Areas in Guimaras
under the Regular Fund Released in the last Quarter of CY 2006 a. Mangrove Rehabilitation A total of 42 hectares was targeted for mangrove rehabilitation in the In support to the rehabilitation efforts, five (5) nurseries were
established where seedlings and mangrove propagules
were raised to be used for outplanting in areas
identified for rehabilitation. The nurseries with their corresponding number
of seedlings raised were as follows : §
Sitio Baybay Fisherfolks Association – 13,014 seedlings of Bakauan,
Bungalon and Pagatpat §
Lucmayan
Mangrove Growers Association – 10,120 seedlings of Bakauan, Bungalon
and Pagatpat §
Katilingban sang Magagmay
nga Mangingisda sa Alegria –
13,275 seedlings of Bakauan,
Bungalon and Pagatpat §
Sitio Baybay Sebaste Small Fisherfolks Association – 14,161 seedlings of Bakauan, Bungalon and Pagatpat §
Nazuni
Integrated Social Forestry Farmers Association, Inc– 2,620
seedlings A total of 53,190 seedlings was raised as of
December 2007. The seedlings produced
by the Nazuni Integrated Social Forestry Farmers
are beach type species to determine their ecological contribution once
planted in coastal areas in Guimaras and Two (2) bancas were likewise constructed,
one was used in Ajuy, b. Provision of Livelihood to Affected CBFM
Beneficiaries The same People’s Organizations (POs) contracted
for mangrove rehabilitation availed of the livelihood projects. However, as
of December, these livelihood projects were not yet implemented due to
non-release of NCA intended for the purpose.
The identified livelihood projects were Gillnet with Banca for Barangay Tando,
Mudcrab and Inland Tilapia for Barangay San Roque, and
Seaweeds Culture for Barangays Alegria,
Sebaste and Sabang, all
in the A training on Seaweed Farming
was conducted for the beneficiaries of Brgys. Alegria and Sabang on May
10-11, 2007 and May 23-24, 2007, respectively. The same training was also
conducted for the beneficiaries of Brgy. Sebaste, Sibunag on June 7-8,
2007. Trainings on Mudcrab
Fattening and Tilapia Culture were also conducted last April 18-19, 2007 at Brgy. San Roque, Nueva c.
Database Establishment To
serve as databank of the results of the different assessment conducted within
the oil spill affected areas in the |
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______________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Email : [email protected] Updated
: May 8, 2008 |
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