Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP)

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office

The Project aims to sustainably manage coastal resources and to uplift the socio-economic conditions of people living in the coastal areas particularly in the provinces and municipalities surrounding marine biodiversity corridors of national and global importance as identified in the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation priorities.

Loan Amount Grant Amount GOP Fund Source Signing Date Effectivity Date Interest Rate

USD 33.8 Million (2311 PHI) USD 9 Million (0071 PH) USD 8.71 Million ADB/Global Environment Facility March 8, 2007 June 28, 2007

Despite a number of programs introduced by the Government since the 1980s, threats to the management of coastal resources and marine biodiversity continue to persist due to a number of factors including lack of an ICRM approach to coastal zone planning, policy and institutional weaknesses, weak law enforcement, and open access to marine and coastal resources. Building on the experience of past programs, this project will assist the Government to adopt a holistic approach to coastal resources management, integrating terrestrial and coastal environments, strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, developing local government capacity, and reducing pressure on coastal resources.

Original Closing Date June 30, 2013 LIBOR + 0.60% computed periodically on amount withdrawn on principal and outstanding amount Implementing Agency DENR, DA-BFAR and 8 partner provinces and 80 municipalities Sector Coastal/Marine Regions II, III, IV-B, VII, XI Provinces Cagayan, Zambales, Romblon, Masbate, Cebu, Siquijor, and Davao Oriental Beneficiaries Fisher folks in the 80 coastal municipalities of the above provinces

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The overall goal of the project is enhanced coastal resources. The expected outcomes are (1) sustainable management of coastal resources and (2) increased income for coastal communities.

DESCRIPTION
The Project comprises four components namely: (1) Policy and Institutional Strengthening and Development, which will develop an institutional framework for national and local government coordination of ICRM; (2) Integrated Coastal Resources Management (ICRM) and Biodiversity Conservation, which will protect and manage coastal ecosystems in selected threatened areas of high biodiversity;

BACKGROUND
The coastal and marine resources of the Philippines are of national and global importance because of their rich biodiversity and valuable contribution to the economy. However, these resources are declining and biodiversity is under threat due to human activities. Important coastal habitats are under severe stress with consequential decrease in the production of coastal fisheries.

Ms. Lucena Mercado, Ph.D. Overall Project Coordinator, DENR-ICRMP 2F DENR Building, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Phone: (02) 929.66.26 local 2273 Email: lumercado@yahoo.com

Mr. Gil A. Adora BFAR-ICRMP National Coordinator and BFAR-DA Assistant Director for Technical Services PCA Building, Philcoa, Diliman, Quezon City
Phone: (632) 929.48.94
Bojo river in Aloguinsan, Cebu, an ecotourism site, empties into Taon Strait

Intergrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP) (3) Enterprise Development and Income Diversification, which intends to provide municipal fisherfolk with supplementary income and reduce their reliance on fishing by promoting environment-friendly sustainable enterprises and livelihoods; and (4) Social and Environmental Services and Facilities, which shall address the basic social services needs of disadvantaged coastal communities, and support local governments efforts to mitigate coastal pollution and degradation of resources. The project will be implemented in six priority marine biodiversity corridors and ecosystems covering 80 municipalities in seven (7) provinces. The DENR, the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and participating municipal local governments will share the implementation responsibilities. centers are: Cagayan State University; Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija with center of facility to be located in Ramon Magsaysay Technical University in Zambales; Masbate School of Fisheries; Cebu State College of Science and Technology; and Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology. ICRM practices like the conduct of PCRA is spearheaded by BFAR. The PCRA results will serve as inputs to the Municipal Coastal Environmental Profile which will be the basis in the development of ICRM Plan for the municipality. The regional and provincial project implementing units (RPIUs/PPIUs) are helping the local government units in the development of the ICRM Plan which will form part of the Municipal Development Plan. Actual PCRA has been conducted in 62 municipalities covering 432 barangays. Review and updating of ICRM plans are currently ongoing in 36 municipalities. The DENR, through its RPIUs and PPIUs, is the lead agency on the reforestation/rehabilitation of the watersheds and mangrove areas and in providing technical assistance to the LGUs in the establishment of Marine Protected Areas. The MPAs shall provide sanctuary and breeding or spawning ground of fish and other coastal living organisms. Five (5) MPAs have already been identified in Region 11. In Zambales, the DENR has assessed and identified an area where a mangrovetum will be established, the first of its kind in the country. This will showcase the various mangrove species thriving in Zambales and also serve as laboratory for future mangrove studies. About 1,155 hectares of watersheds and mangrove areas have been identified for reforestation and rehabilitation in Zambales, Masbate, Cebu and Cagayan provinces. Peoples Organizations (POs) were contracted to protect, reforest or rehabilitate these areas. The Project benefits on creating jobs for and providing added incomes to the coastal communities is now becoming evident. Enterprise Development and Income Diversification Component. Preparatory works for the establishment of six (6) Enterprise Development Units (EDUs) in the participating provinces were undertaken such as the preparation of the Manual of Operations and organizational structure and establishment of linkages among the players. Skills and successful enterprises in the area were inventoried. In Davao Oriental, inventory of POs as potential partners for enterprise development has been undertaken. Social and Environment Services Facilities Component. This component is led by the LGUs. Accomplished under this component is the completion of guidelines for the identification of sub-projects and plans. The institutional arrangement for undertaking LGU sub-projects was also prepared.

STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION AS OF YEAREND 2009

Project elapsed time is 2.75 years or 46% of the total project duration. Estimated project accomplishment is 21%. Financial utilization is only 13% of the projects cumulative allotment as of Dec. 2009. The slow project progress is attributed to the delayed procurement and awarding of major equipment and consulting services and financial management difficulties. Accomplishments per component are as follows: Policy and Institutional Strengthening This component undertakes studies and other preparatory works to finalize the ICRM policy. Among the activities undertaken were: (i) the drafting of DENR Department Administrative Order: Adopting the National Integrated Coastal Management Program; (ii) review of the scope and coverage of policy studies on trade of coral reef associated species, marine and coastal pollution, and environmental impact assessment; (iii) Drafting of the Guidelines in Implementing Community-Based Ecotourism Projects in Protected Areas and Forest Lands. On the institutional strengthening aspect, the Project conducted training of trainors for Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment (PCRA). A general ICRM training was also conducted for DA, DENR, and LGUs on habitat management, MPA establishment and management, Biodiversity conservation and management, among others. Integrated Coastal Resources Management and Biodiversity Conservation Five (5) ICRM centers were selected as hubs for biodiversity monitoring, research, training and demonstration activities. These centers are also the focal points for undertaking IEC campaign in coordination with on-going works under the public awareness program of Convention on Biodiversity. The 5 ICRM