COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

2020-2022
 CHAPTER I

LAVEZARES MUNICIPAL PROFILE

The Municipality of Lavezares (then Pinonayan) is

one of the 24 municipalities of Northern Samar. It
was created on January 7, 1875 by virtue of a
decreto superior issued by the Spanish Governor-
general. It is composed of 26 barangays; with 5 in
the Poblacion or town proper, 5 in the islands; 6 in
the interior; 6 in the carline, and; 4 remaining coastal
barangays.

Location
Lavezares is bounded on the west by the municipality of Allen, on the northwest by San
Bernardino Strait; on the south and southwest by the municipality of Victoria; on the east
by the municipality of Rosario, on the north by the municipality of Biri.

It is 7 kilometers away from the port town of Allen and 43 kilometers away from the
capital town of Catarman.

TABLE 1. CLASSIFICATIONS OF BARANGAYS, LAVEZARES N. SAMAR

ISLAND BARANGAYS COASTAL BARANGAYS INLAND BARANGAYS

Bani Balicuatro Villahermosa

Magsaysay Villa Ocad
San Isidro Libas Caragas
San Juan Cataogan Caburihan
Maravilla Sabang Tabok Datag
Barobaybay San Jose
San Agustin MacArthur
Libertad Salvacion
Urdaneta Enriqueta
Toog
Chansvilla
San Miguel
Climate
No dry season with very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January.
Lavezares is included in the geographical zone of the Philippines that is approximated to
have been visited (5) typhoons every three (3) years.

Topography
Land Topography is generally composed of very rugged terrain with many steep and
elevated areas classified as undulating to hilly. The vast area of Lavezares covers a
wide variety of natural resources which are subdivided into three (3) categories: land,
mangroves and water. It is a coastal town with flat to generally rugged terrain.
Its territory consists mainly of a mainland territory plus three small islands. Five out of its
26 barangays are located in these islands while the rest including the Poblacion are
located in the mainland.

TABLE 2 LAND AREA BY BARANGAY

BARANGAY LAND AREA (HECTARES)

Balicuatro 66.1334
Villa 442.8808
Libas 529.9524
Villahermosa 148.3983
Maravilla 139.2905
San Juan 474.8116
San Isidro 149.2024
Ocad 285.027
Caragas 275.9095
Caburihan 583.4195
Datag 183.3807
Salvacion 433.1447
Sabang-Tabok 249.8159
Urdaneta 271.0776
Barobaybay 666.1622
San Jose 252.9717
San Miguel 321.4917
MacArthur 650.8803
Toog 514.2911
Chansvilla 293.8835
Cataogan 4.4515
Libertad 184.4308
Enriqueta 499.9828
San Agustin 250.2067
Bani 723.6295
Magsaysay 595.8325
Timberland 1,958.94
TOTAL 11,950.00
Source: MPDC 2015

Population
Lavezares has a population of 28,770 with 5,574 households (PSA 2015) and an
annual growth rate of 0.89 percent. The average household size is 5. It is ranked eight
as the most populous municipalities in Northern Samar. It is expected that in the next
five to ten years, there will be a continuous growth in its population. Due to the needs for
economic stability, people continue to migrate to urban centers.
 Table 3 POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLDS PER BARANGAY, 2015

BARANGAYS Population Household

Poblacion
1. Caburihan 1552 310
2. Caragas 1331 266
3. Cataogan 525 105
4. Ocad 998 200
5.Sabang-tabok 1803 361
Rural
6. Balicuatro 341 68
7. Bani 902 180
8. Barobaybay 1294 259
9. Chansvilla 107 21
10. Datag 383 77
11. Enriqueta 1989 398
12. Libas 2618 524
13. Libertad 1306 261
14. Macarthur 1604 321
15.Magsaysay 1077 215
16. Maravilla 981 196
17. Salvacion 507 101
18. San Agustin 554 111
19. San Isidro 429 86
20. San Jose 396 79
21. San Juan 1261 253
22. San Miguel 1336 267
23. Toog 601 120
24. Urdaneta 2318 464
25. Villa 2056 411
26.Villahermosa 501 100
Total 28,770 5,754
Source: PSA 2015

Religion
Majority of the people are Roman Catholics which comprises 98% of the total
population. The remaining 2% of the total population of Lavezares are distributed and
affiliated to other religious groups. Although this remaining 2% may be in small in
number, they are distributed in nineteen diverse religious groups in the municipality.

Socio Economic Situation

The municipality is classified as 4th class municipality with the agriculture as it base.
Based on Poverty Incidence Survey of NSCB in 2015, Lavezares has 48.6 percent
poverty incidence and has ranked 16 out of 24 municipalities in the province. The
primary sources of income are farming and fishing. Copra, abaca and palay are its basic
agriculture industry and boosts its marine products as competitive in the local market.
Local trade and service industry take a share in the income. Practice of profession also
helps generate revenues.

Education
There are 26 barangay elementary schools and one central school in the municipality.
There are five secondary schools, including Holy Family Center of Studies located in
Brgy. Caragas; Barobaybay Academy Mission School in Barangay Barobaybay; Basilio
B. Chan Memorial Agricultural Industrial School in Sitio Bunga, Brgy. Sabang-Tabok;
Colegio de San Juan Samar in Brgy. Libertad and the newly-established Guillermo O.
Adriatico National High School (formerly Maravilla National High School) in Brgy.
Maravilla to cater students in the five island barangays.

Colegio de San Juan also offers courses in tertiary level. For several years, the Local
Government with its Student Assistance Program has graduated hundreds of scholars
who are successful in their respective fields. It also maintains Scholarship Fund for top
honor graduates in high school.

Health
Lavezares has a total of ten (10) health service facilities. Four of which are located in the
vicinity of the Poblacion. These include the Municipal Health Center, Dental Clinic, two
(2) Drugs Store and eight (8) functional Barangay Health Centers. There are eight (8)
barangays that have their own functional health centers which include Maravilla,
Enriqueta, Bani, Barobaybay, Caburihan, Datag, San Miguel, and Urdaneta. These
health centers are referred to as satellite health centers.

During the past three years, Lavezares has been a recipient of feeding programs from
DSWD and UNICEF. Free medicines are being given to patients for common diseases
and illnesses. Medical cases that require serious attention are referred either to the
nearest hospital, Allen District Hospital which is 7 km away from the Poblacion or to
Northern Samar Provincial Hospital and other private hospitals in Catarman which is 40
km away.

Housing
Most of the houses in Lavezares are made of light and/or durable materials. As of now,
there are four housing projects that were established by Local Government Unit with the
help of national agencies. These are located in barangays Ocad, Macarthur, Libertad
and Caragas.

Water and Sanitation

As of 2018, most of the barangays have an established communal faucet with potable
water supply. Recent health data show that 82 percent of the households have toilet
facilities.

Peace and Order

The municipality is generally a peaceful town having an almost zero crime rate at
.0019%. The local police force has 22 existing police personnel.

Infrastructure
Roads and bridges in all parts of the municipality are now concrete with the exception of
some portions of Macarthur-Toog and Datag-Malicolico farm-to-market roads.
Solid Waste Disposal
In the last three years. Lavezares has effectively managed its waste disposal. Policies
on waste segregation have been implemented down to the barangay level. What used to
be a 4-hectar dumpsite at Barangay Macarthur is now converted to an Integrated
Ecofarm. Lavezares has been recognized by local and national agencies as a model
LGU in the area of solid waste management.

Flood Control
Maintenance of existing flood control measures and structures like barangay drainage
systems in the Poblacion area remain a problem of the barangays. The misuse of the
seawall is also a problem of the municipality.

Land Use
Among the pressing concerns identified is the uncontrolled conversion of lands,
particularly from forestland to agricultural farmland, and agricultural lands to settlement
areas. These are largely attributed to the increasing demand for spaces to
accommodate economic and housing needs.

TABLE 7. EXISTING GENERAL LAND USE,

LAVEZARES, NORTHERN SAMAR
LAND USE AREA IN HECTARES PERCENT IN TOTAL
BUILT UP AREAS 93.27 0.78
Residential 47.06 0.39
Commercial 1.93 0.03
Industrial 1.86 0.02
Institutional 27.08 0.23
Functional Open Spaces 15.34 0.13
(including road networks)
AGRICULTURAL 7,619.81 63.76
Coconut 6,430.31 53.81
Palay/Rice 810 6.79
Abaca 149 1.25
Rootcrops 196 1.64
Corn 34.5 0.29
FORESTLANDS 2,630 22.01
Forest Reserve 884.97 7.41
Mangrove Forest 1,038.43 8.69
Timberland 487.7 4.08
Nipa 218.9 1.83
OTHERS 1,606.92 13.45
Shrubs and Grasslands (idle land) 1,173.50 9.82
Fishponds 427.42 3.58
Rivers, Streams, Eroded Lands 6 0.05
TOTAL 11,950 100%

Source: MPDC 2015

Communication
The municipality is dependent on the use of cellular phones specifically sending and
receiving messages under the mobile telecommunication giants, Smart and Globe.
Internet speed remains low at 5 mbps.

Tourism
The municipality boosts its number of eco-tourism destinations. Lalaguna Bay which is
composed of mangrove forest and wildlife sanctuary is now being considered as the
soon-to-be very important tourist destination of the municipality along with the beautiful
beach resorts in Urdaneta, Bani, Bankawan Island and the giant rock boulders in
Barangay Balicuatro. The Lavezares Port remains significant as the jump-off point to the
famous Biri Island. Barobaybay Port has also become busy in the last three years with
the increasing tourist arrivals in Bani beaches.

The most popular festival is the Pinonayan, a streetdance performance in thanksgiving

to the Santo Niño for the bountiful harvest and in celebration of the people’s various
industries.
 CHAPTER II
COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES

Lavezares is part of the Birilarosa Protected Seascapes and Landscapes

pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 219 dated April 23, 2000. Birilarosa stands for the
municipalities of Biri, Lavezares, Rosario and San Jose. It was being made part of it
based on several assessments done by the DENR showing that the area is teeming with
vibrant marine ecosystem as required under NIPAS Law. Since then, its coastal
ecosystem has been under the management and supervision of the Protected Area
Management Board. Within the municipal waters of Lavezares, there are two marine
protected areas that were declared which include the Barobaybay Sanctuary and the
Lalaguna Bay. Notwithstanding these declarations, the entire Lavezares municipal
waters have been the target of all forms of environmental destructions.

Lavezares is a coastal municipality comprising 5 barangays and 9 coastal

barangays with a total municipal marine waters of 93.66 square kilometers having a
coastline length of 65.5 kilometer, 26.85 kilometer of which is the coastline length
mainland. There are 24 fish families observed with in coral reefs habing an area of
266.6717 hectares with fair to excellent coral reefs condition at Magsaysay, San Juan
and Barobaybay. The mangrove area has 1,517.7023 hectares consisting of 13 species
belonging to 7 families. 53.12% distributed along the coastal margins and 46.88% along
Islands of the Municipality. Sea grass beds has 18.2895 hectare, 74% found over the
reef flat in the coastal area of Villa, Magsaysay and Barobaybay. Fishpond area of
69.0166 has and inland fishpond of about 1.0 has. The Barobaybay fish sanctuary has
an area of 32.4 has. There are ordinances declared by this municipality, the Municipal
fisheries ordinance #2, series of 2006 and Barobaybay fish sanctuary ordinance. Joint
ordinance declaring Lalaguna Bay as closed and open season with an area of 150 has.

Fishing gears presently established are the fish coral with 57 units, fish pens 8
units, lobster culture 11 units. Seaweeds farming at Brgy. Bani with 12 farmers. As of
today there are 305 motorized banca and 317 non-motorized banca.

The following presents the current condition of the different ecosystems within
the coastal zones of Lavezares which include the coral communities, the mangroves, the
fish communities, and the seaweeds and sea grasses. The first two are discussed
according to their respective diversity, density, and composition while the seaweeds and
sea grasses according to density and diversity.

MANGROVES
The Existing Condition

Mangroves thrive on different parts of Lavezares, they can be found along the
coastal shore or along river estuaries. Just like corals, mangroves pose as an essential
part for different species and organisms to thrive. Mangroves are also regarded as
forests. In the 70’s and 80’s, the more than one thousand hectares of mangroves were
almost wiped out by uncontrolled cutting for fuel and housing material purposes by
unscrupulous residents of the area. These has resulted to almost barren mangrove
forestlands in so many parts of Lavezares. These mangrove areas have only started to
recover in the 90’s when the DENR started its mangrove reforestation projects.
 With the declaration of Birilarosa as a Protected Area in 2001, the eventual
functionalization of PAMB, the implementation of massive mangroves rehabilitation
project of DENR including the National Greening Program, BFAR and non-
government/people’s organizations, a lot of mangrove areas have now fully recovered its
lost greenery.

However, in areas like Sabang-tabok, Magsaysay, San Isidro and Barobaybay,

uncontrolled and illegal conversion of mangroves areas into settlement areas remains a
big challenge in the municipality’s environmental conservation effort, to its duty as the
guardian of public land or timberland which include the mangrove areas as well as to its
duty to prevent the people from settling in disaster-prone areas like the mangroves.

MANGROVE DISTRIBUTION

The total mangrove area of the municipality is estimated to cover 1,038.427

hectares wherein 551.6191 hectares (53.12%) are found on the islands while the
remaining 486.8079 hectares (46.87%) are situated on the coastal margins of the
mainland. Mangrove forest found on Bani Island has a breakdown of 124.1010 hectares
(66.44%) located in Barangay Magsaysay and 62.6855 hectares (33.56%) located in
Barangay Bani. On the other hand, mangroves along San Juan Island and Maravilla
Island totals to 327.0082 hectares (56.43%). (refer to Table 2.11)

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF MANGAL VEGETATIVE

COVERS, LAVEZARES, NORTHERN SAMAR

Villa 29.5828 2.85

Libas 182.4994 17.57
Mainland 144.6752
Bancauan Island 37.8242
Sabang-Tabok 46.6848 4.50
Urdaneta 27.2487 2.62
Barobaybay 238.6168 22.98
West 42.1593
East 196.4575
Bani 62.6910 6.04
Magsaysay 124.0957 11.95
San Isidro 78.2208 7.53
San Juan 184.5212 17.77
Maravilla 32.5411 3.13
Nagnasa Island 31.7251 3.06
TOTAL 1,038.4274 100.00
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015

DENSITY
Density is one indicator of the condition of the mangrove forest. Mangal density is
determined by counting the number of mangroves rooted per hectares.
 According to the Rapid Coastal Fish Habitat Assessment of Lavezares, Northern
Samar, Bancauan Island of Barangay Libas is the most diverse area in terms of mangal
density among the chosen sample sites having a density of 24,900 stems per hectares.
This is followed by the central coast of Barangay Barobaybay having 9,350 stems per
hectares. The average density of mangroves in the municipality is 6,527 stems per
hectares, however, many sites were not able to reach the average density such as the
mangrove areas on Sitio Barobagacay of Barangay Libas, Sitio Villaflores on Barangay
Villa and Barangay Sabang- Tabok.

Another type of mangal density determines the density of standing matured and
young mangroves (saplings and seedlings) which reflects the general status as well
as the extent of exploitation to the said resources. There are 31,983 exploitable
mangrove trees where 23,981 (74.98%) are found along the mainland; 45.47% of the
mainland mangroves is found on the vicinity of Barangay Barobaybay; 15.94% is located
on the vicinities of Barangay San Isidro and San Juan; and lastly 9.08% is found on Bani
Island. (refer to Table 2.12)

Mangrove Area in Barobaybay

TABLE 2.12 THE ESTIMATED MATURED MANGROVE TREES

IN DIFFERENT COASTAL BARANGAYS OF
LAVEZARES, NORTHERN SAMAR

Barangay Villa 814

Barangay Libas 4,196

Bankauan Island 1,778
Sabang-Tabok 3,668

Barangay Urdaneta 1,022

Barangay Barobaybay 12,484
Barangay Bani 1,849
Barangay Magsaysay 1,055
Barangay San Isidro 1,408

Barangay San Juan 3,690

TOTAL 31,964
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015
 Out of the 47 mangrove species found all over the Philippines, 13 were identified
in the municipality of Lavezares. The most common mangroves are Bakauan Lalake and
Bakauan Babae which are present in all mangrove areas. Piapi, Pagatpat, Bakauan
lalake, Bakauan babae are found on northern coast of Barobaybay, Magsaysay, and
Bani. Bungalon puti, Api-api, Pagatpat, Bakhaw are on the other hand found on
Bakauan Island and west coast of Barobaybay. (refer to Table 2.13)

LIST OF MANGROVE SPECIES IDENTIFIED

IN THE COASTAL AREAS, LAVEZARES, NORTHERN SAMAR

Avicenniaceae Avecennia marina Piapi

Avecennia alba Bungalon puti
Avecennia officinalis Api-api
Avecennia lanata Bungalon
Combretacae Lumnitzera littorea Sagasa
Sonneratiaceae Sonnaretia alba Pagatpat
Rhizophoraceae Rhizophora apiculata Bakauan lalake
Rhizophora mucronata Bakauan babae
Bruguiera cylindrica Pototan lalake
Meliacae Xylocarpus granatum Tabigi
Myrsinaceae Aegiceras corniculatum Saging saging
Aegiceras floridum Tinduktindukan
Palmae Nypa fruticans Nipa
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015

CORAL COMMUNITY
The Existing Conditions

The coral formation of the municipality may create fringing reefs around the
island, reef flats, atoll or barrier reefs. In general, extent of distribution reaches 8 – 10
meters deep around the islands and 5 meters in atolls. Coral reef expansion is
proportional to the length of the coastline and the width of the coastal area. These vast
and thick coral reefs have been home to several marine species and have served as
natural barrier to storm surges. However, these have been declining in recent years due
to uncontrolled coral extraction and illegal fishing activities.

Coral reefs are known to be an essential factor as habitat to fishes and other
marine resources. The municipality of Lavezares is estimated to have an aggregate total
of 204.4205 hectares of coral reefs referring to the live coral reefs submerged
underwater even during periods of low tides, consequently influencing fish production.

Along mainland, there are 86.3495 hectares (42.24%) of coral reefs wherein the
widest is situated in Barangay Barobaybay with 28.7833 hectares to be followed by
Barangay Libas with 21.6684 hectares. Live corals in Barangay Libas usually extend 45
meters from reef flat to 15 – 20 meters deep while coral formation in Barobaybay is
noticeable within 25-35 meters from reef flat that goes down to 15-20 meters deep.
 Bani Island that has 48.7445 hectares (23.85%) extends 40-50 meters from
coastal margins up to 15 meters deep. Comparatively, coasts of Barangay Magsaysay
have less coral formations because of narrower vicinity compared to that of Barangay
Bani.

Maravilla – San Juan have 69.3266 hectares (33.91%) of coral reefs formation
with Barangay Maravilla having 33.0582 hectares (16.17%) known to have the widest
coral formations located along the western part of the barangay proper with corals
extending 70- 100 meters offshore down to 10 meters water deep. Barangay San Juan,
the second widest coral formation has an estimated coral area of 30.4654 hectares with
an average dispersion of 35 meters from the margin of reef flats down to 10 – 15 meters
deep.

BARANGAY
Balicuatro 7.2384 3.54
Villa 14.0288 6.86
Libas 21.6684 10.60
Sabang-Tabok 6.9450 3.40
Urdaneta 7.6857 3.76
Barobaybay 28.7833 14.08
Bani 26.5205 12.97
Magsaysay 22.2240 10.87
Maravilla 33.0582 16.17
San Juan 30.4654 14.90
San Isidro 5.8030 2.84
TOTAL 204.4205 100.00
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015

Condition of coral reefs can be estimated through the percentage of live coral
covers. The mean live coral covers of the municipality bears an average of 18.35%
which is categorically under poor condition despite of the presence of good or greater
than fifty to seventy five percent (>50-75%) to excellent or greater than seventy-five
percent(>75%) condition. In addition, an earlier underwater observation concludes that
there are no signs of dynamite fishing on the observed coral sites. (refer to Table 2.15)
 TABLE 2.15 THE ESTIMATED AREA OF LIVE CORALS ALONG
EACH COASTAL BARANGAY OF THE
MUNICIPALITY OF LAVEZARES, NORTHERN SAMAR

BARANGAY
Balicuatro 1.2790
Villa 0.7716
Libas 2.4074
Sabang-Tabok 1.8752
Urdaneta 1.9214
Barobaybay 8.8163
Bani 3.6837
Magsaysay 7.9806
Maravilla 5.9935
San Juan 13.3835
San Isidro 0.7254
TOTAL 48.8375
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015

Mean live cover of corals along mainland is 19.36%, which is attributed to its poor
water visibilities. This characteristic of water hinders the sunlight to penetrate deep
underwater for the photosynthesis of corals. In addition, the turbidity of water brought by
suspension and resuspension of particles in water column are another barrier for the
sunlight. These conditions are observed particularly from the coast of Barangay Sabang-
Tabok up to the coast of Barangay Barobaybay. The latter mentioned barangay with
30.63% live corals also has the highest live corals among the mainland coastal
barangays and is categorically under fair condition.

Barangay Bani has a 20% live cover rate of corals that falls under poor condition.
Barangay Magsaysay, on the other hand, garnered a rate of good to excellent
particularly in the southeastern part of the island along Sitio Nalumsan where the coral
area has a mean live cover of 75 – 80%. However, generally the coral reefs on
Barangay Magsaysay were rated a fair status of 35.91%.

Maravilla has the widest areas of coral cover. Barangay Maravilla’s reef extends
towards the vicinity of Nagnasa Island. However, it projects a poor condition with a mean
live cover of 18.13% and 10% on the near Nagnasa Island.

Vicinities of Barangay San Juan poses a mean live cover of 43.93% while the
southeastern coast of Sitio Barobalading have 60 – 92% mean live cover because of the
relatively clear water visibility of the coast. Lastly, Barangay San Isidro with a mean live
cover of 12.50% poses poor reef condition due to unstable, fine sand substrates.
 BARANGAY

Balicuatro 17.6 Poor condition

Villa 7
5.50 Poor condition
Libas 11.1 Poor condition
Sabang- 1
27.0 Fair condition
Tabok
Urdaneta 0
25.0 Poor condition
Barobaybay 0
30.6 Fair condition
Bani 3
13.8 Poor condition
Magsaysay 9
35.9 Fair condition
Maravilla 1
18.1 Poor condition
Nagnasa 3
10.0 Poor condition
Island
San Juan 0
41.1 Fair condition
San Isidro 9
12.5 Poor condition
MEAN 0
18.1 Poor condition
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource 2Assessment 2015

In the preceding coastal assessment report, an underwater survey was

conducted in two chosen sites with good to excellent live coral covers. These are Sitio
Nalumsang of Barangay Magsaysay and Sitio Barobalading of Barangay San Juan. The
term benthic is defined as the portion of the marine environment inhabited by marine
organisms that live permanently in or on the bottom (Wallace, 1989).
 In Sitio Nalumsang, there are fourteen (14) benthic forms found wherein eleven
(11) consists living or biotic community and three (3) are made up of nonliving or abiotic
community. Of the biotic community, eleven (11) are live coral forms existing in varying
population frequencies, and six (6) of these are considered significant coral population
having a frequency of greater than 5%. The two top dominant coral forms in the area are
Acropora branching corals with an estimated 24.48% population frequency and Folliose
corals with 21.46% population frequency. Other significant coral populations that have
greater than 6% frequencies are massive corals, branching corals, soft corals, and
encrusting corals. While insignificant but existing coral communities consist of Acropora
tabulate corals, Acropora encrusting corals Acropora digitate corals and sub-massive
corals with some patches of seaweed Caulerpa lentifera locally known as “lato”. On the
other hand, dominant abiotic forms are predominantly sand with 5.64% and dead corals
with algae.

NALUMSAN, BARANGAY MAGSAYSAY, LAVEZARES

7% 6% 7%
9%

24% 21%

10%
8% 8%

In Sitio Barobalading, there are 12 benthic forms, ten (10) from the biotic
community with 78.72% occurring at different frequencies and two (2) from the abiotic
community with 21.28% which comprise of dead corals and small amounts of sand. The
two most dominant forms under biotic community are Acropora branching corals with
29.04% and massive corals with 15.70%. Other significant biotic aggregates are
Acropora tabulate corals (9.22%), soft corals (7.72%) and Acropora encrusting corals
(5%). Other low frequency aggregates are composed of Acropora digitate corals,
Folliose corals, branching corals, sub- massive corals and mushroom corals that
altogether amount to 12.04%.
 9.22% 5% 15.7%
7.72%
29.04%
21.28%
12.04

In the past, people did not consider sea grasses and seaweeds as natural
resources. People believed it was food only for the marine life which they commonly eat
and nothing more. But biologically, sea grasses are one of the coastal ecosystems and
the only cluster of grass-like submerged plants established in Lavezares Municipality.
Along with coral reefs, sea grasses have also suffered damages due to illegal fishing
activities as well as uncontrolled sand extraction in so many parts of the coastal
communities in Lavezares.

It was observed that the distribution of seaweeds grows mostly on soft sandy to
sandy- muddy bottoms inter-tidal regions in the place and has a total land area of
18.2895 hectares in barangays where it was found. The breakdown of this area of sea
grasses is enumerated in Table 2.16 with Southern coast of Barangay Villa having the
biggest, with 6.8623 hectares and Lalaguna Bay in the vicinity of San Isidro, having the
smallest with 1.2673 hectares. (refer to Table 2.17)

Alternatively, the intermittent allocations of seaweeds are seen along the northern
coastal waters of Barangay Bani with a projected area of 0.65 hectares.
 Southern coast of Barangay Villa 6.8623
Western coast of Barangay Barobaybay 1.9752
Eastern coast of Barangay Barobaybay 4.7562
Lalaguna Bay (vicinity of San Isidro) 1.2673
Barangay Magsaysay 3.4285
TOTAL 18.2895
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015

According to studies, there are at least 13 sea grass species in the Philippines.
Out of this 13, two (2) species are found in Lavezares. These are the Enhalus
accoroides and Thallasia hemprichii. The former can be seen in southern coast of
Barangay Villa, and eastern coast of Barangay Barobaybay and Magsaysay. The latter
was located in the western and eastern coast of Barangay Barobaybay, and western
coast of Barangay San Isidro (Lalaguna Lake). The vegetative cover of these sea grass
species is depicted on the next table where it was observed that the western coast of
Barangay Barobaybay is chiefly Thallasia hemprichii. (refer to Table 2.18) In addition,
the species dominance of Enhalus accoroides and Thallasia hemprichii were illustrated
below showing that the former is dominant on the southern coast of Barangay Villa,
eastern coast of Barangay Barobaybay and Barangay Magsaysay. The latter is
dominant on the western and eastern coast of Barangay Barobaybay, and Lalaguna Bay
of Barangay San Isidro. (refer to Table 2.19)

Enhalus
X - X X -
accoroides
Thallasia
- X X - X
hemprichi
%i
95.85 97.65% 37.55% - -
Vegetati
%
NOTE:veXCover
indicates the presence of certain sea grass species in certain site
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015
 BARANGAYS/
SARGASSUM

Southern coast of
100% - - 100%
Brgy. Villa

Western coast of
- 100% - 100%
Brgy. Barobaybay

Eastern coast of
73.55% 26.45% - 100%
Brgy. Barobaybay

Lalaguna Bay
- 100% - 100%
(vicinity of San
Isidro)

Brgy. Magsaysay 100% - - 100%

Brgy. Bani - - 100% 100%

Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015

The coastal waters of the Municipality of Lavezares consist of different families

of fishes. It was observed that mostly, the fish families are reef-associated composing
of 24 families to which 20 are commercially important fishes and the remaining 4 are
ornamental fishes.

As enumerated in the Table 2.20, the common fishes identified in commercial

fishes are rabbit fishes, breams, squid, angel fishes, barracudas, etc. and the four
kinds of ornamental fishes are the clown fish, butterfly fish, damsel fish, and the
morish idol. However, fish catch is observable on the decline due to illegal fishing
activities and overfishing. Sad to say, even the marine protected areas of Lalalguna
Bay and Barobaybay Sanctuary were not spared from illegal fishing activities.
 FISH FAMILY ENGLISH NAME LOCAL NAME

Ampheprinidae Clown/ Anemone fishes Bantay kibot

Chaetodontidae Butterfly fishes Alibangbang
Pomacentridae Damsel fishes Palata
Zanclidae Morish Idol Sanggowanding

Acanthuridae Surgeon fishes Labahita

Atheriinidae Silver side Gono
Balistidae Trigger fishes Pakol
Caesioidae Fusiliers Sinaw-an, Solid
Cephalopoda Squid Noos
Fistularidae Trumpet fish Tubo-tubo
Haemulidae Sweetlips Gabilan, Lipti
Holocentridae Soldierfishes, Squirrel fishes Bagabaga
Labridae Wrasses Maming, lubayan
Lethrinidae Emperors Katambak, Dugso
Lutjanidae Snappers Mayamay, Katambak
Mullidae Goatfishes Ti-aw
Nemipteridae Breams Saguisi-on, Soong, Silay
Pomacanthidae Angelfishes Adlok
Plotosidae Stripped Catfish Eel I-ito
Scaridae Parrotfishes Molmol
Serranidae Groupers Tingag
Siganidae Rabbitfishes Danggit, Manlalara,
Sphyraenidae Barracudas Mobladtalho
Lusod,
Synodontidae Lizardfishes Alho
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015
 The different areas of the municipality consist of different reef fish composition.
The basic concept implies how diverse the community of fishes are and how healthy
and suited the coastal waters for such various fish families in Lavezares. One example
is the coastal waters of Sitio Barobalading, Barangay Magsaysay where it consists of
only 20 fish families and Sitio Nalumsan, Barangay San Juan with complete 24 fish
families. The Sitio Barobalading lacks the fish families of Sinaw-an (Caesionidae), No-
os (Cephalopoda), Lusod (Sphyraenidae) and Sanggowanding (Zanclidae).

Additionally, the reef fish dominance which is measured on the percentage of

fish family relative to the total population of fish family counts was studied using two
sampling sites of Lavezares which are the Sitios Barobalading and Nalumsan. It was
determined that a total of 2,226 fish population frequencies were recorded with
Nalumsan having 1,125 (50.54
%) and Barobalading with 1,101 (49.46 %). The data were analyzed and it was
concluded that only few fish families have considerably dominant population. From 24
fish families present in Sitio Nalumsan, only three (3) have significant fish populations.
On the other hand, of the 20 fish families seen in Sitio Barobalading, only four (4) fish
populations are significant. (refer to Table 2.21)

From the results gathered, it was well determined that the fish families with
relatively low population were the commercially significant fishes, which are the most
exploited one. For further information, refer to the table below.
 NALUMSAN,
BARANGAY
MAGSAYSAY
Acanthuridae (Labahita) 0.98 4.81
Ampheprinidae
0.36 0.18
(Bantay kibot)
Atheriinidae (Gono) 43.73 38.60
Balistidae (Pakol) 0.18 0.45
Caesionidae (Sinaw-an) 0.71 -

Cephalopoda (No-os) 0.44 -

Chaetodontidae
1.87 1.54
(Alibangbang)
Fistularidae (Tubotubo) 0.36 0.45
Haemulidae (Lipti/Gabilan) 0.18 0.82
Holocentridae (Bagabaga) 0.62 0.73
Labridae (Lubayan) 2.22 2.72
Lethrinidae (Bag-angan) 1.33 0.36
Lutjanidae (Mayamaya) 1.33 1.45
Mullidae (Ti-aw) 0.18 0.82
Nemipteridae
3.29 1.36
(Saguisi- on/Siri)
Pomacanthidae (Adlok) 0.53 0.82
Pomacentridae (Palata) 13.07 12.62
Plotosidae (I-ito) 24.44 28.61
Scaridae (Molmol) 0.62 0.45
Serranidae (Tingag) 0.18 0.36
Siganidae 2.13 1.82
(Danggit/Moblad)
Sphyraenidae (Lusod) 0.27 -
Synodontidae (Alho) 0.18 -
Zanclidae 0.80 1.00
(Sanggowanding)
Source: Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment 2015
CURRENT AND PROJECTED NEEDS

Continuous planting of mangroves should always be part of the environmental

effort of the municipality as a means of preserving ecological balance, increasing
marine productivity and ensuring safety of the people living along the coastal areas
during typhoons. Coral extraction should be stopped and seagrasses should be
protected. More attention should be given to Barobaybay Sanctuary and Lalaguna Bay
so as to maintain and preserve their role in resource conservation. To ensure all these,
the local government unit together with the PAMB should strengthen its policies,
management framework and law enforcement. After all, economic development is
always tied with the protection and preservation of biodiversity.

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS MATRIX

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS/ RECOMMENDED

ANALYSIS/OBSERVATIONS EFFECT INTERVENTIONS
Illegal fishing activity; Low fishery productivity; Strict enforcement of laws;
overfishing destruction of marine and implement Community-based
coastal ecosystem Coastal Resource
Management Plan
Conversion of mangrove Destruction of mangrove Strict enforcement of
areas into settlements and cutting areas environmental laws and
of mangroves zoning ordinance
Lack of awareness/weak Destruction of marine Re-activate management
management on existing marine protected areas structures in the marine
protected areas protected areas
Poor coral conditions (coral and Destruction of corals and Strict enforcement of laws
sand extraction) depletion of sand
Pollution in rivers and coastal Destruction of fishery Strict enforcement of laws
water habitat
Weak organizational structure , Uncontrolled illegal Re-activate fisherfolks
MFARMC, Bantay Dagat, coastal activities in the coastal and organizations and fishery law
POs marine areas enforcement teams
 CHAPTER II

COASTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Vision
Attained balanced and healthy ecology through wide-raging
management practices of marine resources and mainland resources to
obtain sustainability in production of fishery and non-fishery products.

Mission
Conserve, protect and sustain the management of the municipal’s
remaining forestlands, agricultural lands and coastal areas to sustain
clean and healthy environment to attain food security and eradicate
poverty among the costal inland fishing communities.

OBJECTIVES

1. To increase in fish catch and daily income of the

marginalized fisherfolks.

2. To properly manage, conserve, protect and judicious

utilization of fishery resources.

3. To promote sustainable fisheries production.

4. To eliminate illegal fishing activities

 Issues/ Proposed Expected Output Target Area Budget Proposed Responsibility
Problems Projects/Program Policy Center
Activities 2020 2021 2022

FISHERY
Declining Fish Review seasonality of Conduct one research San 50,000 50,000 BFAR,MAO,
Catch fish spawning period study on proper spawning Isidro,San UEP College of
at Lalaguna Bay of marine species. Juan, Fisheries
Maravilla

Reactivate Activated Barobaybay Barobaybay 5,000 MAO

Barobaybay Fish Fish Sanctuary
Sanctuary Management Council.
Management

Eliminate all illegal Conduct regular inland Inland and 50,000 50,000 50,000 MFLET,MAO
fishing activities and seabourne patrolling Island
and apprehensions of Barangays of
violators. Lavezares

Establishment of Fish Established fish pens, Municipal 500,000 500,000 MAO,DA,

pens and Fish cages Fish cages and upland wide (Inland BFAR,DENR
and upland fishponds fishponds. and
Seawater)

Conduct of research Explore new species that Villa, 100,000 50,000 50,000 MAO,BFAR
on the introduction of are suitable for inland LibasOcad,
new fish species on bodies of water of Caragas,San
inland bodies of water Lavezares Jose,Datag,
 Salvacion,
Toog,
Tilapia Hatchery Availability of tilapia fry for Chansvilla, 100,0000 100,000 100,000 MAO,BFAR
the culture of fresh tilapia Villa Hermosa
grower

Municipal Tilapia Villa, Libas,

Nursery Ocad,
Caragas, San
Jose,
Salvacion,
Toog, Datag,
Chansvilla,
Villahermosa
Illegal Fishing Revisit/ amend Enhance Municipal 30,0000 50,000 50,000 Review of LGU, BFAR,
municipal ordinance efficiency/effectivity of wide Barobayb DENR,
(- Sudsod Fishery Law enforcement ay Fish NGO, PNP, PO
-Compressor Team Sanctuary, and MFARMC
-Cyanide Fishing Municipal
-Sarap
Reactivate MFLET Eradicate illegal activities Fishery
-Tulbong)
-Dynamite (with financial in Municipal Waters of Ordinance
- Use of fine mesh assistance) Lavezares and
nets Lalaguna
Bay Mgt.
Reactivation of Ordinance
Bantay Dagat
Non-registered Registration of Fish Registered Fishpond Municipal 1,000 MAO
fish pond Pond operators operators association. wide
operators Facilitated credit financing
Non-productive to PUNLA and LBP.
fishpond
Extend technical Municipal 5,000,000 DA,BFAR,LBP
assistance and wide
facilitation to DA
credit financing
 program.

Low Income of Provision of Provision of permanent Coastal and 2,000,000 2,000,000 LGU,BFAR,DA,
fisher folks alternative source of livelihood Island DOLE,
livelihood (conduct among poor fisherfolks Barangays LBP
consultation with
fisher folks)

Lobster hatchery Provision of alternative

Seaweed livelihood among
Farming fisherfolks
Abalone production
Establishment of
market linkage
Dried/ smoked fish
processing
Palukso
Provision of seedling/
rambutan
Vegetable/livestock/
poultry production
Lack of Conduct of IEC Education campaign to all Municipal 30,000 40,000 40,000 MAO, BFAR,
Awareness on campaign concerned Barangays wide DENR/PAMB,
Fishery Laws and (information, PO’s
Ordinances education campaign)

Conduct of fishery
forum and meetings
(w/ BFAR, DENR
AND PAMB)
MANGROVE
Mangrove Apprehend Offenders Eliminate timber poaching Island 100,000 50,000 50,000 LGU(MAO,MEN
Destruc-tions Regular Patrolling and intrusion in mangrove Barangays, RO), Brgy.
areas. Villa, Officials, DENR,
Libas,Sabang PO’s
Tabok,
Barobaybay,
Libertad, San
Miguel
Poor mangrove Mangrove Improved mangrove Villa 200,000 200,000 200,000 MAO,MENR
condition in Villa Rehabilitation condition in Barangay ,DENR
Villa
CORAL REEF
Poor coral Apprehension of Protected corals Island 50,000 50,000 50,000 LGU(MAO,
condition due to offenders/ violators Barangays, MENRO), Brgy.
Coral and Sand Balicuatro, Officials, DENR,
Extraction and Regular patrolling Villa, Libas, PO’s,BFAR
Coral Bleaching - Sabang
Siltation Tabok,
Urdaneta
Barobaybay
and San
Agustin
SEA GRASS
Conversion of Rehabilitation of Sea Rehabilitated and Island 100,000 100,000 100,000 MAO,BFAR,
Sea Grass Areas Grass Protected Sea grasses Barangays, DENR
Into Other Uses Balicuatro,
(Settlement and Libas, Villa,
Mangrove Sabang
Plantation Tabok,
Urdaneta,
Barobaybay,
Libertad and
San Agustin
ECOTOURISM
Lack of Provision and Established floating San Isidro 20,000 20,000 20,000 WAID, Lalaguna
Amenities in La Establishment cottages. ( Lalaguna Council, MAO,
Laguna Eco park Floating Cottages Fish cage established. Bay ) LGU
Establishment of Fish Procurement of glass 50,000 50,000 50,000
Cages Provision of boats.
Glass Boat 400,000 400,000 400,000
Lack of Production of IEC IEC materials and leaflets Lalaguna 20,000 20,000 20,000 Tourism Officer
Promotion Materials for productions distributed. Eco Park
Lalaguna Eco Park Radio and other media
Promotional Videos advertised.

Advertisement in Lalaguna 20,000 20,000 20,000 Tourism Officer

radio and other media Eco Park
Under-developed Promotion of c/o Tourism Office
Ecotourism ecotourism attractions
Destinations in Balicuatro
Lack of Proper IEC Enforcement of c/o MENRO
Waste Disposal Solid Waste
in Barangay Management Law
Barobaybay and Conduct of
Barangay Bani forum/dialogue
operators
Illegal Removal of c/o MENRO
Construction of establishments along
Cottages along shorelines
Shorelines in
Beach Resorts
Underdeveloped Development of bay c/o MENRO
Bay Parks parks in coastal and
island barangays
Lack of Trees in Greening of c/o MENRO
Island Settlement Settlement Areas
Areas
Unregulated Determine and c/o Tourism Office
Number of impose carrying
Tourists capacities in the
beach resort.
Absence of Establishment of c/o MENRO
Treatment water treatment
Facilities for facilities
Used Water
Provision of water c/o Health Office
and construction of
septic tanks
WATER USE
Proliferation of Provide c/o MPDC
Illegal Settlers resettlement for
along Coastal illegal settlers
Areas
Strict enforcement
of zoning ordinance
Lack of Conduct of dialogue Delineated and proper Villa, Libas, 100,000 PAMB-DENR,
Delineation/ with fishpond management of Barobaybay, NAMRIA
Management operators with LCE, fishpond areas Bani,
System for Fish PAMB Libertad,
Pond Areas San Agustin,
Enriqueta

Lack of Water Establish water Water treatment facility Villa, Libas, 500,000 BFAR
Treatment in treatment facility established. Barobaybay,
Fishponds Bani,
Libertad,
San Agustin,
Enriqueta
Absence of Delineation of water Utilization mapping of Municipal 500,000
Water Zone use municipal water wide
Boundaries and
Policies
Pollution of Establishment Of c/o MENRO
Coastal and Water Treatment
Inland Waters Facility

Strict Enforcement
of Solid Waste
Management
Ordinance
Proliferation of Provide c/o MPDC
Illegal Settlers resettlement for
Along Coastal illegal settlers
Areas
Strict enforcement
of zoning ordinance
INFRASTRUCTURE
Lack of Construction of
Standard Port Lavezares Bay walk
Facility
Fish Landing Operationalization Fish Landing fully Sabang 100,000 LGU,MAO
Facility Not of fish landing operational Tabok
Fully
Operational Institutionalize
management of fish
landing
Coastal and Improve Seawalls constructed to Island and 8,000,000
Island preparedness and vulnerable Barangays Coastal
Barangays Are resiliency Barangays
Vulnerable to
Disasters Construction and 1 Evacuation center LGU
improvement of constructed in every
seawalls affected barangays

Construction of
evacuation center of
every island LGU
barangays
Dilapidated Repair/construction Repaired guardhouse Barobaybay 50,000 LGU
Guardhouse of new guardhouse
Lack of Construct hanging Constructed hanging Villaflores 500,000 GU
Accessibility to bridge from villa bridge and
Bangkawan Flores to sitio Bankawan
bangkawan
Damaged Sea
Grass Caused
by Residents
and Tourists
Absence of Construction of light Constructed light house Sabang- 100,000 LGU
Light House at house at the flat Tabok
the Navigation reef
Lane within the
Lavezares Bay
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
Inactive Reorganize/ Reorganized BFARMC 5 Island 20,000 MAO
MFARMC/ Reactivate and MFARMC Brgys. and 9
BFARMCS MFARMC/BFARMC Coastal
Brgys.

Inactive MFLET Hire new Bantay Reactivated MFLET Municipal 100,000 100,000 100,000 LGU
and Bantay Dagat wide
Dagat Reactivate MFLET
Registration of Enhance 100% Registered 5 Island 20,000 MAO
Fishing Boats registration system Fisherfolks, Non- Brgys. ,
and Fisherfolks (installation of motorboat and Balicuatro,
internet connection, Motorboat (3 tons Villa,Libas,
additional below) Cburihan,
personnel) Sabang
Tabok,Urdan
Apprehension of eta,Barobay
non-registered bay,San
fisher folks and Miguel,
confiscation of Libertad and
fishing boats San Agustin
Weak -Revitalization of Fisherfolks association Balicuatro, 26,000 LGU,MAO
Management of Fisherfolks revitalized Villa
Fisher Folk’s Association (Bankawan),
Association/Po Libas,
Sabang
Tabok,
Urdaneta,
Barobaybay,
Libertad,
San Agustin,
Bani,
Magsaysay,
San Isidro,
Maravilla,
San Juan
Absence of -hiring of fishery Hired one Fishery Municipal 344,000 344,000 344,000 LGU
Fishery technician Technician
Technician
Lack of Patrol Purchase of patrol 3 Patrol Boats Municipal 1,500,000 100,000 100,000 LGU
Boats and boats (2 small purchased
Other boats, 1 large boat)
Equipment
Purchase camera Patrolling paraphernalia Municipal 500,000
with GPS purchased
Purchase of
underwater camera,
night vision
telescope,
flashlight, life jacket,
raincoat & radio,
Lack of Conduct of trainings Trainings conducted Island and 200,000 LGU
Capability and seminars Coastal
Building for Barangays
MFARMC,
BFARMC, PO’S
Bantay Dagat
and Bantay
Kalikasan
Absence of Allocation of funds Appoint legal officer Municipal 96,000 96,000 96,000 LGU
Legal Officer for legal services
Absence of Fish Request fish Reactivate Fish Municipal 24,000
Examiner examiner from examiner
BFAR
Prepared and Submitted by: Approved by:

ESTRELLA I. OFIANA HON. EDITO B. SALUDAGA

Municipal Agriculturist Municipal Mayor