Nirvana Dominique F.

Bulacan BS Econ IV CD 147

Last April 18, 2015 was not ordinary day for me. Our class went to Dumangas for our
fieldtrip in CD 147. It was a hot day but the humid was worth enduring. I admire the
municipality of Dumangas because of their Coastal Resource Management and the Climate
Field School. As a third class municipality they were able to be the top producer of fish and rice
in the province. As we arrived in the mangrove nursery we were welcomed by the coastal
stewards and the Municipal Agriculture Officer. He was able to give insights and ideas of what
their municipality was doing on environment resource management. I was able to know that
there are parts in the town that is a Marine Protected Area and has a Fishing License Agreement
for putting up of fishponds. The mangroves was such a nice view. In the area, mangroves are
well taken care of the coastal steward. We were introduced of the different species of mangroves
and how they differ from each other. The sex of the mangrove was also shared to us. The
mangrove with slender stalk is male and the mangrove with a broad stalk is a female. The
coastal steward explained to us the importance of watering the mangroves to keep it wet in order
for the mangroves to survive. In the afternoon we went to the Climate Field School which is first
in the Philippines and second in Asia. It serves as the weather forecasting station covering fifty
kilometer radius. We were also oriented by the different parameters observed for forecasting and
the Automatic and Manual Weather System. It was my first time to witnessed those kind of
instruments like the rain gauge. I feel sleepy as we went back to the room but my drowsiness
faded as we begin to ask the different farmers of their experiences they have in the Climate Field
School. It was good to know that they have all positive feedbacks about it. What really makes me
feel pleased is the idea that the farmers who learned from the CFS have been sharing their
knowledge to other farmers in order for them to help their fellow farmers. This shows how the
community is involve in such programs by the government. This is one example of change
through educating and influencing others.
The whole experience was tiring but worthwhile. I admire the LGUs effort in maintaining
a strong Community Resource Management through implementing various activities and
programs that involve the people in the municipality. This activity will serve to raise awareness
among the people for the importance of the natural resource in the place and how it should be
manage well. The CFS was a good investment of the government not only because of the
usefulness for forecasting weather but to guide and help the farmers, fishers and other people
who engage in agriculture. It is also a good venue for "knowledge spillovers" not solely on what
they learned from the lecturers but also their experiences that may impart to their fellow farmers.
I thought that if Dumangas could do it or enable to pursue that kind of program other
municipality could do that also. Not necessarily to put up a CFS but to have a sustainable
program that people are willing and able to participate and take part in the community programs.
What the municipality did is trying to have a "domino effect" on the community where the
people should be the front liners for change because at the end of the day it is always for their
own benefit. I thought it may not be adventurous and exciting trip such as going to Capiz or
Guimaras but the gladden feeling of witnessing a cooperative and responsible community is
worthy to be remembered.