EXECUTIVE SUMMARY B
Name: PINCA, JOSHUA P.
Adviser: AR. DOMINADOR D. CENDAÑA
A. Project Title: CoralCoE: Coral Center of
Excellence – An Architectural Approach
to Preservation and Research
Development of Coral to Marine
Biodiversity
Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1: The Project
Human personality resembles a coral reef: a large
hard/dead structure built and inhabited by tiny soft/live
animals. The hard/dead part of our personality consists
of habits, memories, and compulsions…the soft/live
part of personality consists of moment-to-moment
direct experience of being (Herbert, 2002). The Pacific
coral reef, as a kind of oasis in the desert, can stand
as an object lesson for man who must now learn that
mutualism between autotrophic and heterotrophic
components, and between producers and consumers
in the societal realm, coupled with efficient recycling of
materials and use of energy, are the keys to
maintaining prosperity in a world of limited resources
(Odum, 1977).
The unique relationship of the ecosystems in corals
creates an indisputable experience and a vital part of
the marine ecosystem. The Philippines is part of the
coral, triangle an area with more species of fish and
corals than any other marine environment on earth.
There are around 70,000 different species of coral that
are found in the oceans of the world and our country
has 24,864 square meters of reef systems. Philippine
reefs claim a 421 of the 577-known species of coral.
100 scientists have declared as the world’s “center of
marine biodiversity” because of its vast species of
marine and coastal resources (World Bank).
The area is very productive that it can produce over 40
metric tons of seafood every year. With proper
protection, it can alleviate poverty and feed millions.
However, these coral reefs are under threat because
of many anthropogenic activities and natural pressures.
In the country, marine protected areas are being used
as a solution to protect these resources. The Haiyan
(Yolanda) typhoon is one of the most disastrous
tropical cyclones that devastated some Asian countries
including the Philippines in November 2013. Aside
from the being the deadliest it has caused a lot of
destruction in infrastructures. Storms and typhoons
continuously shape the composition, distribution, and
range of coral reef systems. Underwater ocular
inspections were made before and after Haiyan in 24
barangays in Eastern Samar. Live coral cover declined
from 30-70%. Dead corals and rubbles increased.
Overall, these sites still hold a high number of non-
cryptic reef fish species but at low abundance, biomass,
and thereby profits. There is a need to recognize the
degraded status of most coastal areas, especially in
Haiyan-affected areas (Villanueva, 2015).
Corals are living organisms—they can get sick and die,
just like any other plant or animal. Due to a variety of
local and global factors, which can be either
independent or interacting, more and more of the
world’s reefs are dying. As the world is developing and
the climate change keeps on destroying our
environment that change in water temperature, reef
bleaching is an example of that which occurs when
extreme water conditions cause corals to expel the
internal microorganisms that give them the vibrant
colors.
1.2: Problem Statement
As coastal construction increases, and global
temperatures rise;
• An estimated 33 percent of corals are now in
danger of extinction.
• Marine studies have also shown an 80
percent decline in some forms of coral over
the last decade.
• And now the climate change and certain
destructive human practices, it’s showing no
signs of stopping any time soon.
Coral reefs are the most diverse ecosystems on the
planet and are the most under threat from climate
change. And the Philippines lies at the heart of the
Coral Triangle; a region of the Indo-Pacific known as
the most diverse marine ecosystem on the planet. With
coral reefs facing numerous threats such as
• Overfishing, rising sea temperatures, ocean
acidification due to CO2 from pollution, and
coastal development
Scientists say research and immediate action is
needed to prevent the further decline of our reefs. The
Philippines has 24,864 square meters of reef system
and 97 percent of the reefs are classified as “at risk”.
According to the Initial Findings of the Nationwide
Assessment of Philippine Coral Reefs by Philippine
Journal Science, they gathered initial data from 2015
to 2017 included a total of 166 stations across the
entire country. None of these stations were classified
in the excellent category based on the live coral cover,
and more than 90% of the same stations were in the
poor and fair categories. These values indicate a
marked decline in the condition of local reefs over the
last four decades, thereby revealing the urgent need
for the revision and update of conservation.
1.3: Project Objectives
• To construct a research facility that studies
the life and death process of coral reefs.
• To create an interactive center that engages
people to be aware of our marine resources.
• To conserve and rehabilitate the live and hard
coral reef systems within the municipalities of
Mindoro and its neighboring provinces.
• To heightened awareness of people in
preserving our coastal and coral resources.
• To preserve the lives of coral reefs in the
stations that has an excellent category.
• And to rejuvenate the coral reefs stations in
poor and fair categories.
1.4: Client
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are now commonly
used to accelerate economic growth, improve
development and infrastructure delivery, support better
integration services, strengthen governance policies
and quality levels, and maximize innovation
opportunities.
The Public partner is the Philippine Council for
Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research
and Development (PCAARRD). It is one of the sectoral
councils under the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST). With expanded coverage,
functions, and responsibilities, the council formulates
policies, plans, and programs for science and
technology-based R&D in the different sectors under
its concern. It also allocates government and external
funds for R&D and generates resources to support its
program.
As the apex Council, PCAARRD is engaged in active
partnerships with international, regional, national
organizations and funding institutions for joint R&D,
human resource development and training, technical
assistance, and exchange of scientists, information,
and technology.
The private sector whose partnered with this project is
the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines. It
has been working as a national organization of the
WWF network since 1997. WWF-Philippines has
successfully been implementing various conservation
projects to help protect some of the most biologically-
significant ecosystems in Asia.
WWF-Philippines works to improve Filipino lives by
crafting solutions to climate change, providing
sustainable livelihood programs, and conserving the
country’s richest marine and land habitats.
1.5: Project Scope and Limitations
Taken from all the issues and problems stated, the
proponent envisions to have a research facility that will
provide new technology, laboratory, and equipment to
assess the current overall health and conditions of our
coral reefs and to study their recoverability.
The project will serve as a sanctuary center for our
treasured biodiversity in marine resources. It would
provide facilities that will undertake the research and
development of corals and other marine resources,
education facilities such as laboratories, library,
aquarium, coral reef tanks, and nursery facilities, etc.
The research center will also deliver the administration
and management of preservation and dispense to local
communities and organizations. Thus, providing
support facilities for in-residence employees, staff,
environmentalist, conservationist, marine biologists,
graduate students, and students.
The focal point is the contribution of preservation,
education, research, cultivation of our marine coral
paragon in the municipalities of Mindoro and
neighboring provinces. Boosting the architectural
appeal at the same time imparting its purpose.
1.6: Design Process
The project needs to follow a certain design process to
be able to come up with a good and possible solution.
The process starts from:
 2.1.1: Location
Chosen location a research and training center must
be situated on a strategic basis wherein the presence
of all necessary factors which should be present that
can help the project to develop and more sustainable.

2.1.2: Lot Size

The project calls for an area of land with adequate size
to provide the necessary amenities and facilities as
well as proper circulation, landscaping, coastal
availability, roadways, and car parks.

2.1.3: Shape
The site should have a relatively rectangular shape
and has a layout that can provide good road access,
zoning of structures, proper access, and landscaping.
Irregularly shaped lots can be considered but shall be
studied upon consideration.

Figure 1. Design Process – derived from the Chicago 2.1.4: Accessibility

Architecture Foundation, Discovery Design Handbook The site must be accessible in terms of transportation,
utilities, and pedestrian access. A site having a good
1. Defining the problem around the vicinity of circulation makes the project alive and sustainable.
Calapan City/San Jose and the entire Access road should be connected directly or at least
Mindoro province. not far from the main roads.
2. Collecting information by conducting a
consultation with the local government; 2.1.5: Presence of Utilities
collecting data, associated topics, and The presence of basic utilities is one of the utmost
evidence that would support the study… important factors to come up with the best possible
3. Brainstorming and analyzing the ideas from a potential site.
different part of the study.
4. Developing solutions and model to the project 2.1.6: Site Development Selection Criteria
helps in maximizing the possibility for the Site Criteria Criteria Ranking
project to approved by the potential client and
the concerned locals of the chosen site. Legends:
5. Presenting the ideas to others for feedbacks 1 - Poor
help the proponent to analyze the qualities 2 – Excellent
need to be change and opinion for 3 - Good
improvement of the proposed project. 4 – Very Good
6. By doing the process, the proponent gained 5 - Excellent
ideas on how to innovate and create a
Site Description % Site:
solution for the problems thrown through the
process. Calapan City, Oriental
Mindoro/San Jose,
Chapter 2: Site Justification Occidental Mindoro
2.1: Site Selection Criteria Natural, Rank Equivalent
The following criteria were based on various related Environment,
analysis and studies, interviews with related Physical
professionals to come up with a suitable site for the Factors
project. Land Area 20 5 20 / 18
Accessibility 10 5 10 / 10
Soil 10 5 8/8 2.2: Macro – Meso Analysis
Characteristics 2.2.1: Macro Analysis
Accessibility to 10 5 10 / 10 2.2.1.1: Region
Utilities The site is located at Region IV-B, popularly known as-
as MIMAROPA region and formally known as
Vulnerability to 10 4 7/7 Southwestern Tagalog Region.
Natural
Hazards The region is an administrative region in the
Site Drainage 5 5 5/5 Philippines. The region comprises of 4 provinces,
Topography 10 5 10 / 10 Mindoro (Oriental and Occidental), Marinduque,
Climate 10 5 8 / 10 Romblon, and Palawan whose name form the
Orientation 5 5 5/5 MIMAROPA. Calapan City is MIMAROPA’s regional
center.
Existing 5 5 5/5
Vegetation 2.2.1.2: Province
Future 5 5 5/5 Mindoro is the seventh largest island in the Philippines
Expansion Plan by land area with a total of 10,571 km2 and with a total
100 93 / 93 population of 2,963,360 based on POPCEN 2015. It is
Administrative Rank Equivalent located off the southwestern coast of Luzon and
Factor Northeast of Palawan. Mindoro is divided into two
Proper Land 20 5 20 / 20 provinces; Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro.
Use and
Zoning 2.2.1.3: City Location
Lies on the head of Calapan Bay, Northeastern part of
Ease of 25 5 25 / 20 Mindoro Island. Bounded on the North and Northeast
Ownership by Calapan Bay, on the South and Southeast by the
Land Cost 35 5 35 / 25 Municipality of Naujan and on the West by the
Compatibility 20 4 18 / 15 Municipality of Baco and overlooked inland by the
with Adjacent towering Mount Halcon, Mindoro’s highest mountain
Land Use peak. 28 nautical miles from the nearest point of
100 98 / 80 Batangas province and is about 45 kilometers south of
Socio- Rank Equivalent Batangas City and 130 kilometers south of Manila.
Economic and
Cultural 2.2.1.3: Population
Factors According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
Census of Population survey held the year of 2015,
Site Potential 20 4 15 / 15
Calapan City has a total population of 133,893. The
Accessibility to 30 5 30 / 30 figures translate to an average annual population of the
Major Roads growth rate of 1.38. The Urban area has a 42 percent
Must be within 20 5 20 / 20 whilst the Rural is higher with 58 percent.
Urban Area
Accessibility to 15 5 15 / 15 2.2.2: Meso Analysis
Important 2.2.2.1: Geophysical Characteristics
Facilities 2.2.2.1.1: Land Area
Pedestrian 15 5 15 / 15 According to the Land Management Bureau, Calapan
Access and has a total land area of 250.06 square kilometers or
Circulation 20,006 hectares including the three (3) Baco Islets and
two (2) Silonay Islets; the Philippine Statistics Authority
100 95 / 95
has a figure of 265.20 sq.km. As measured from
Total 100% 95.3% / cadastral data using Geographic Information System
89.3% (GIS)-based techniques, it has an area of
approximately 185.99 sq.km. including the five (5) natural environment that suppresses the dissipation of
islets. carbon emissions; which also includes noise pollution.

2.2.2.1.2: Topography 2.3.3.3: Earthquake-Induced Hazards

Mountain ranges, slopes, water bodies. Calapan is
blessed with a vast plain from the waterfront on the
Scenic Calapan Bay to the boundary lines of the
Municipality of Baco and Naujan, with a range of
mountains as its background topped by Mt. Halcon, the
third highest peak in the Philippines. The mountain
ranges are the source of all rivers and streams and
creeks. The City has a coastline of approximately
34.60 kilometers from the Municipal boundary of Baco
and Calapan and to the Municipal boundary of Naujan
and Calapan.
2.2.2.1.3: Climate
Calapan’s climate is described as mild. It is relatively
dry from November to April and wet during the rest of
the year. February and March have the least rainfall
while October and November are the months of
greatest rainfall. Average yearly rainfall is 2,500 to
4,500 millimeters at the city’s south-west portion. The
average daily temperature is 22.9 to 28.3-degree
Celsius.
2.3: Micro Site Analysis
2.3.1: Site Location, Type, Shape, Area
The site situated in Barangay Pachoca, Calapan City,
Oriental Mindoro with a regular-sized inside lot.
The Central Mindoro Fault and its branch, the
Aglubang River Fault passes through the western side
of the city. A segment of the Lubang Fault lies north of
the city and may well be within its territorial waters.
2.3.4: Utilities
2.3.4.1: Source of Power and Water Supply
The city of Calapan is powered by its own province
which is the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative
(ORMECO). Its source of water is the Calapan
Waterworks Corporation with Level I, Level II, and
Level III water system.
2.3.4.2: Transport Utilities and Communication
Facilities
As per the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of 2015,
the total transport vehicles in Calapan City is 26,207.
Its telephone services are run by Calapan Telephone
System Inc., (CATSI), Globe Communications, Smart
Telecommunication, and its Cable Television provider
are Calapan Cable and Tamaraw Vision Network
(TVNet).
2.4: Initial Schematic Design

2.3.2: Climatic Conditions

It is relatively dry from November to April and wet
during the rest of the year. February and March have
the least rainfall while October and November are the
months of greatest rainfall.

2.3.3: Hazards
2.3.3.1: Floodplain Areas
Most of the city has been classified as a floodplain
except for the Hills of Bulusan and its vicinity as well as
the southwest (Canubing II) at the boundary of Baco
and Naujan. Flooding is mainly caused by the overflow
of water of the PulangTubig(Bucayao) River. Other
rivers that overflow include the Dulangan and Biga-
Baco Rivers.

2.3.3.2: Pollution
Contamination of pollutions is relatively low because
the site is in the province which is surrounded by a