Group 4

Activity 2
BEED 1-B

Bacungan Mangrove River Cruise

A trip to the San Carlos Floating Restaurant offers a unique chance to explore the
wonders of a mangrove ecosystem. This mangrove ecotourism initiative with a floating
restaurant and boardwalk capitalizes on the beauty of the pristine mangrove forest of Bacungan
River in Sitio San Carlos, Barangay Bacungan. The tour includes a welcome entertainment
performed by the youth, native delicacies prepared by the women members are served to the
tourists while listening to a performance of a string band playing island music who are members
of the community-based Bacungan Coastal Development Resources Association that manages
the site. The San Carlos Floating Restaurant started out as a livelihood project for the locals of
Sitio San Carlo as suggested by the late Gerry Ortega, a renowned Filipino journalist and
environmental activist. The cruise journeys through the surrounding mangrove forest until it
reaches the mouth of Honda Bay. The whole trip lasts 3 hours and costs P500 per head
inclusive of freshly prepared meals such as grilled meat, clam soup, native vegetables, and a
live performance whenever available.
(Reference: https://explora.ph/attraction/1074/san-carlos-floating-restaurant)

Like the other ecosystems, Bacungan Mangrove River Cruise has its own threats which include
the following:
 Water Pollution
 Charcoal and Lumber Industries
 Overcutting of Mangrove trees
 Climate Change

“Water Pollution”

Water Pollution is one of the top problems of any ecosystem that includes bodies of
water. Water pollution has a big impact to the said ecosystem. Water pollution can be either
natural causes or/and human causes. Although, it is more likely to show that human causes the
water pollution to Bacungan Mangrove River Cruise. One of the reasons why there is water
pollution to the area is because of throwing or disposing chemical substances in the water.
Because of the chemicals, the mangroves might get affected and possibly die. Other than that,
aquatic animals and other species within the area might get affected too because first, fishes,
crabs, shells and other aquatic animals live in the river. They will get poisoned because of the
chemicals and might as well die. Second, other species besides the aquatic animals will also
get affected because those species also drinks from the river and eats the aquatic animals. If
they consumed the water or aquatic animal with chemical, it will also poison them and dies. If
that happens, there will be a disruption of food chain because of the decrease of species.
Another reason is trash; there are still people who throw trashes on the river while they are on
the cruise. Its effect is the same with the chemicals. To resolve this problem, we suggest that
the staffs or workers of the said ecosystem must maintain the cleanliness of the water and those
areas around the water. They should also strictly follow the laws of water which is the Republic
Act No. 9275, also called as The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. In addition, the staffs must
remind their customers or visitors that they should not throw anything in the river that might
affect the ecosystem. Putting signage to the cruise will also help too.
" Charcoal and Lumber Industries”

Chopping down mangroves for charcoal and timber is an important cottage industry for
many coastal communities. Mangrove wood is used for building material, fencing, and fuel. It
also yields valuable, high-quality charcoal. In places where fishing has declined below
subsistence levels, many people have turned to charcoal production for their livelihood, which
furthers the cycle of habitat loss and fishery decline. This doesn’t make sense, since there are
more sustainable farming options, and destroying the mangrove forests often offer no long-term
gain. This is one of the many ways that education can help to prevent such serious losses.
Teaching people the value of mangroves, as well as sustainable farming practices can help to
prevent these losses from occurring. Much of the destruction that occurs is due to illegal
harvesting of mangroves or illicit creation of fish ponds. This illegal activity is frequently due to
individuals not having legitimate avenues for economic success; education could help resolve
this issue. More strictly enforced protection of the mangroves also could help to eliminate this
illegal activity.
(Reference: https://www.amnh.org/explore/videos/biodiversity/mangroves-the-roots-of-the-
sea/mangrove-threats-and-solutions?fbclid=IwAR0d9wsx-
hJ6rBb93asC4vEkQaQKDpbpAVf_d3oB8xDl4m59GIfbPH_7Kyc)

“Overcutting of Mangrove trees”

Mangroves ecosystem plays an important role in the lives of every biological organism.
First, it typically protects shorelines from damaging storm and hurricane winds, waves, and
floods. Second, it serves as valuable nursery areas for fish and invertebrates to avoid any
dramatic decline to its population. Third, it also supports a number of threatened and
endangered species as it utilizes the mangrove systems during at least some portion of their life
histories, while others reside their entire life spans, feeding and nesting within the said
ecosystem. And lastly, it utilized in many parts of the world as a renewable resource upon
making houses, boats, pilings and furniture. However, because mangrove ecosystem is crucial,
its species have gradually getting damage. People use it abusively causing its population and
good impact to decrease. In order to sustain and continue using it, we should make a movement
to lessen the impact of overcutting of mangroves. First, when we cut mangroves for some sort
of important purposes, we should plant too as an exchange to what we consume from the
nature. In connection with this, we should also keep in mind in regenerating its population by
participating in planting of mangrove trees. Next, every person in the community should be
educated about the importance of the mangroves to their lives. By it, they will somehow give
sympathy and take care of it. They may think for other ways to do and get what they want
instead of keep on cutting it. Then, empower the communities to make informed decisions
related to mangrove management, promote community-based actions on the ground in
mangrove management for improved resilience to climate change and improve the baseline
knowledge about biological, economic, social and cultural aspects of mangrove resources and
uses in each country and the link between healthy mangroves and disaster risk reduction, for
informed adaptation to climate change at any level. By doing these ways, we can protect and
save the mangrove ecosystem for the future.
(Reference:
https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=3oNMCAAAQBAJ&pg=PT177&lpg=PT177&dq=Ways%20to%20le
ssen%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20overcutting%20the%20mangroves&source=bl&ots=S6qxQmRv
Rs&sig=ACfU3U2pFyTIQnTGB9CBlJxq-
Elpt1vXDA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj3lc6lw7zlAhUKAogKHR4fAIcQ6AEwDnoECAkQAg&fbclid=IwAR1
DhgRhJcutOqnoAKlv5CU9-
44ThgDjkfBVdnvqay5DrkF1SAigjmADSTg#v=onepage&q=Ways%20to%20lessen%20the%20impact%20of
%20the%20overcutting%20the%20mangroves&f=false
“Climate Change”

For centuries, humans have been burning fossil fuels to power their lives. This process
releases additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat that would escape
into space otherwise. Basically, it’s obvious effects can be seen in many terms. Climate change
is not only hitting close to home – it’s knocking on the front door and demanding to come in. So
here are ways on how to lessen the impact of climate change to the ecosystem. First, make
your commute green. Millions of people drive to work every day. It is simply unavoidable in our
modern-day society. However, the downside to this is that millions of cars emit greenhouse
gases that destroy our atmosphere. Vehicle emissions are a close second when it comes to the
top causes of climate change. There are always other options that you can utilize to make your
commute to work eco-friendly. For starters, taking public transportation to work is a great way to
cut out emissions. Riding your bike or walking to work is also incredibly helpful to the
environment and is a great method to get exercise. Second, be more conservative with energy
usage. Becoming more energy efficient is a great way to prevent pollution. It causes the power
plants to expend less energy that can lead to the production of greenhouse gasses. This means
that you should do what you can to cut down on energy usage in your household. Make sure to
turn off lights and unplug devices that you are not using anymore when you are done with them.
Replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs to help you save electricity too. Third,
recycle! Manufacturing plants emit a large number of greenhouse gasses per year. It is
unavoidable in the production of goods that we use on a regular basis. However, a cleaner
alternative would be to invest in recycling. Recycling is a cost-effective and eco-friendly process
that eliminates waste and doesn’t emit greenhouse gasses into the environment. Be sure to
collect your discarded paper, glass, plastic, and electronics to your local recycling center. The
professionals will take these items to a processing plant where they will be remade into other
recyclable materials again. Fourth, encourage the use of renewable energies. Focusing your
efforts to spread awareness about renewable energy is the best way to create a positive impact
in your community. By informing others about how renewable energy is better than utilizing
fossil fuels, you will sway others into investing in the idea. And lastly, educate yourself and
others. The importance of educating others about climate change cannot be overstated in our
modern society. There are many platforms for us to utilize that can allow us to spread our
message easily. Whether you use word of mouth or social media, there are always ways to
educate others on what climate change is doing to our planet. You can help protect the planet
by educating others about the dangers of climate change and how to act against it. Saving the
environment starts with us and it is our responsibility to act against these terrible changes to
preserve the planet for future generations.
(Reference: https://www.activesustainability.com/climate-change/6-things-you-can-do-to-
prevent-climate-change/

Group Members:
Kimverly Ricon
Ena Jaydine Pasamonte
Grace Anne Buesing
Marriane Cabate
Arlou Jane Bundal
Danielle Jane Urboda
Al Vincent Operiano
Mohammad Tahir Hj Butuhasan