Integrated

Coastal Resources
Management
Project (ICRMP)
Sustaining our Coasts: The Ridge-to-Reef Approach
Project Appraisal
 Project Identification
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 are under threats due to
human activities. Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass and other important coastal
habitats are under severe stress with consequential decrease in the production of
coastal fisheries. The resource depletion has affected the livelihood of fisherfolks,
majority of whom live in poverty.

3 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Since the mid 1980s, the Government has implemented a number of
coastal resources management (CRM) programs, mostly as technical
assistance from multilateral and bilateral agencies and some as part of
major investment and policy initiatives in the sector. Despite these
significant gains from the past programs, threats to the management of
coastal resources still persist due to a number of complex factors
including:

4 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 1. lack of an integrated coastal resources management (ICRM) approach to coastal zone planning

2. policy and institutional weaknesses

3. weak law enforcement

4. high poverty incidence among coastal fisherfolks

Building on the experience of past programs, the Project proposed will

assist the Government to adopt a holistic approach to coastal resources
management integrating terrestrial and coastal environments,
strengthening policy and institutional framework, developing local
government capacity, and reducing pressure on coastal resources.

5 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Project Description
the Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP) is
a six-year project (June 2007- June 2013) with one (1) year extension (July
2013 – June 2014) ) led by the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) with implementation responsibilities assigned to the
Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(DA-BFAR), Department of Finance- Municipal Development Fund Office
(DoF-MDFO), and the Local Government Units (LGUs).

6 Add a footer
 A. Objectives

The Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP) aimed to

enhance coastal resources. The specific goals are sustainable management of
coastal resources and increased income for coastal communities.

The Project promoted the “ridge-to-reef” approach in managing coastal

resources for sustainability.

7 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 B. Project Components
The Project has four (4) components namely:
(i) Component A: Policy and Institutional Strengthening and Development,
which will develop an institutional framework for national and local government
coordination of ICRM
(ii) Component B: ICRM and Biodiversity Conservation, which will protect and
manage coastal ecosystems in selected threatened areas of high biodiversity
(iii) Component C: 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
(iv) Component D: Social and Environmental Services and Facilities, which shall
address the basic social services needs of disadvantaged coastal communities and
support local Government’s efforts to mitigate coastal pollution and degradation of
resources.
8 07/14/2022 Add a footer
 B. Scope
The project covered six priority marine biodiversity corridors and ecosystems covering 80
LGUs in the provinces of Cagayan, Cebu, Davao Oriental, Masbate, Romblon, Siquijor, and
Zambales. These LGUs surround four corridors which are rated extremely high for marine
biodiversity and are of national and global importance:

(i) the Babuyan corridor along the northern coast of Luzon

(ii) the Ticao Pass–San Bernardino Strait–Samar corridor

(iii) the Daanbantayan corridor straddling the Visayas Sea and the Tanon Strait

(iv) the Pujada Bay corridor, an important point of convergence of bioregions of the Pacific Ocean and the

Celebes Sea.

9 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 The project covers 80 municipalities as shown in the
map and table below:

The Zambales marine ecosystem in the Sulu Sea and the Bohol
small-island marine ecosystem between the Bohol Sea and Sulu Sea
were added to the project areas for their “high” to “very high”
priority marine biodiversity significance and proximity to marine
corridors.

10 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Project Cost and Financing
The original project cost was estimated at $62.32 million of which $33.80 million
was financed by ADB, $9.00 million by the GEF, and $19.52 million by the
government (central and local) At completion, the total project cost was $36.03
million, 42.2% lower than the appraisal estimate, and it comprised $20.65
million in ADB loan, $5.83 million in GEF grant, $8.53 million in government
counterpart funds, and a $1.02 million contribution from the LGUs. The
substantial difference is due to overestimation of the demand from the local
LGUs and savings of $4.9 million from the interest during construction. The
government canceled $12.65 million of ADB loan and $3.0 million of GEF grant.

11 07/14/2022 Add a footer

12 07/14/2022 Add a footer
13 07/14/2022 Add a footer
 Projected and Actual Implementation Schedule

14 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Projected and Actual Implementation Schedule

15 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Disbursements
The first disbursement for the loan and grant was on 16 June 2008, nearly 1 year
after the loan and grant became effective. At financial closing, the cumulative
loan disbursement was $20.65 million (61% of the loan) and cumulative grant
disbursement was $5.83 million (65% of the grant).

The pace of disbursement was slow due to several factors. Since no advance
actions were taken, it took some time for the government to open an imprest
account. Other contributing factors included delays in the recruitment of project
management consultants (PMCs), mobilization of the project management
office (PMO) in the DENR, and the time taken by LGUs to meet government
requirements to tap financing of infrastructure subprojects.

16 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 The Department of Agriculture and DENR received the ADB loan and GEF grant
proceeds through budgetary allocations. The municipal governments relied on
joint financing coming from the LGUs and the national government allocated
through the MDFO as a mix of ADB loan and government grant. Three imprest
accounts were established—two for the DENR (ADB loan and GEF grant) and
one for the MDFO (ADB loan). The project design, with a mix of ADB loan and
GEF grant for each expense category (except the construction of ICRM centers
and social and environmental services and facilities), resulted in complex
documentation to liquidate and replenish imprest fund advance. This led to slow
disbursements and delays in some project activities. Despite this constraint and
the initial delays, 86% of the physical project activities were completed.

17 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Project Funds Flow
Diagram

18 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Project Schedule
The project closing date was originally scheduled for 30 June 2013. However,
because of lack of provision for advance actions and limited project preparatory
tasks in the first year after loan effectiveness, the implementation of several
project activities was delayed. At the government’s request, ADB granted a one-
year extension until 30 June 2014.

19 07/14/2022 Add a footer

Project
Implementation
Period
 Project Implementation
The ICRMP implementation was the collaboration between and among
different national agencies like the DENR, DA-BFAR, DoF-MDFO and support of
79 covered Local Government Offices (LGUs), community stakeholders like
bantay-dagat , people’s organizations (POs) and self-reliant groups (SRGs).

Internal Coordination Mechanism. The internal coordination mechanisms were

supported by the issuances of Special Orders (SO) assigning DENR- staff from
Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO), Protected Areas and
Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), and other offices to ICRMP.

21 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 To immediately start-up operations upon Project effectiveness, DENR created
an ICRMP Project Steering Committee (PSC) in March 2007. The PSC was tasked
to review and approve the Project’s Work and Financial Plans and
policies/implementation guidelines. At the field level, the Regional Project
Implementing Units (RPIUs) also created their respective Regional Steering
Committees (RSC) to review and approve the regional Work and Financial Plans
and evaluate the technical merits of the specific sub-projects.

22 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 To ensure the effective and efficient implementation of ICRMP, a Project
Coordinating Office under the supervision of FASPO was established through
Special Order (SO) No. 144 S. 2008. The Order defined the roles of different
DENR Offices and focal points for each component as well as designation of a
Project Coordinator to attend to day-to-day project operations. Table 9 presents
the component implementation matrix.

23 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 At the field, the Regional Project Implementing Units (RPIUs) were created
through the Regional Special Orders (RSO), wherein the RPIU is divided into
technical and support units. The RPIU was to oversee and monitor the over-all
progress of ICRM Project implementation at the Regional level.

At the Provincial level, the Provincial Project Implementing Units (PPIUs) were
involved in the following activities: (i) preparation of project work and financial
plans and reports; (ii) implementation advocacy and Information, Education and
Communication (IEC) programs; (iii) participation in the review and approval
process of sub-projects; (iv) monitoring and evaluation of project progress; and
(v) ensure the participation of all stakeholders in project implementation.

24 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 • External Coordination Mechanism. The external coordinating mechanisms
for the implementation of the ICRMP were supported by the signing of
Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs), such as: a) MOA between the DENR
and DA-BFAR for the participation of BFAR in the implementation of some
activities under components B and C; b) MOA between the DENR and the
Department of Finance (DoF)-MDFO for the implementation of component D;
and c) MOA between the DENR and PEMSEA for the coastal database
undertaking.

• Challenge in initial project orientation. The Project had a broad scope of

work and covered dispersed geographical area (6 regions, 7 provinces, 80
LGUs nationwide), involving numerous implementing units (i.e. DENR Central
Office to the Community Environmental and Natural Resources Office
(CENRO) level), DA-BFAR, DOF-MDFO, Academic Institutions like the UP
MERF and Silliman University, and various people’s organizations. In the
adoption of participatory approach in implementation, the Project took more
than a year to properly orient, familiarize and organize these groups about the
project goal and implementing arrangements.

25 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Project
Organization
Chart

26 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Project Procurement

The project followed ADB’s Procurement Guidelines (2006, as amended from

time to time) and the PMO procured all equipment, except for ordinary day-to-
day supply needs of the field offices.

27 07/14/2022 Add a footer

28 07/14/2022 Add a footer
Project Evaluation
 Overall Assessment
An assessment of the completed activities indicated that ICRMP has significantly achieved its
expected outputs. Physical performance at end of project was computed at 86.09% while
financial performance per December 31, 2014 financial report was computed at 84.44%

30 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Relevance
The project achievements have contributed in the overall government’s
efforts on environment and natural resources development as embodied in
the Philippine Development Plan (PDP 2011-2016) through the following:
Contributed to the DENR - National Greening Program (NGP) through reforestation and rehabilitation of
14,959.46 hectares of mangrove and watershed plantations.

Contributed in the protection and conservation of biodiversity through the established/strengthened

MPAs and MPA networks.

Introduced environment-friendly enterprises and livelihood opportunities in support to the

government’s goal to address poverty while motivating community to protect habitat and wildlife.

The Project contributed to ENR compliance with Republic Act (RA) 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000 through facilitation in the construction of three (3) waste disposal facilities.

31 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Effectiveness
The Project facilitated the increased LGU allocation of funds for ICM activities. In CY 2011,
there were 70 participating LGUs which have passed their respective
Resolutions/Ordinances allocating funds for ICRM activities, ranging from P200,000.00 –
P 2,000,000.00.

Through the aquatic/land based enterprises, the SRGs gained income which ranges from
P10,000 – P30,000 per month. Individual SRG member income increment ranges from
P500 – P2,000 per month. Under the ecotourism enterprises, individual SRG member
income increment ranges from P500 – P1,500 per month during peak season. The
activities relieved pressure on coastal resources, thus preventing their deterioration

32 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Project Efficiency
The Project was mobilized and implemented through the existing DENR
central, regional and provincial organizations and through the collaboration
with other agencies including the DA-BFAR and MDFO. The development of
sub-projects and related activities were undertaken adopting the participatory
process. All concerned stakeholders like the local government units, people’s
organizations, and marine science institutions were enjoined to participate in
planning, sub-project design and actual implementation.

33 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Sustainability and the way forward
Continued monitoring of the ICRMP initiated activities.

The DENR may continue the monitoring activities in the mangrove and
watershed plantations as contribution in the National Greening Program (NGP).
The DENR may also continue the monitoring activities in the biodiversity
conservation project sites to ensure that the conservation activities are
maintained and sustained.

34 07/14/2022 Add a footer

Physical
Performance
 Component A: Policy and Institutional
Strengthening and Development
1. ten (10) policy studies were completed by the Project.
The policy recommendations generated from these studies were used as inputs in
the draft National ICM Program (NICMP) and in the drafting of necessary
department orders and policy issuances in relation to integrated coastal resources
management.

2. The Project also developed the ICRM and marine biodiversity research
agenda which was used in the prioritization of research projects supported
under the ICRMP. Through the Project, 32 researches were undertaken.

36 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Technical
and Policy
Papers
equip the ICRMP stakeholders with
supplementary policy-making
instruments to rationalize local
policies and management strategies—
making their ICRM Plans and
programs risk adaptive.

37 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Research
Agenda
Field Sampling at Brgy.
Lawigan

38 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Component B: ICRM and Biodiversity Conservation
1. Institutionalization of ICRM Practices. The Project has assisted the Local
Government Units in the preparation of 79 Integrated Coastal Resources
Management (ICRM) Plans and 77 MPA Management Plans.
2. Establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). In the field of Marine
Protected Area Management, 77 MPAs and five (5) MPA Networks have
been established and/or strengthened through the ICRMP
3. Establishment of Regional ICRM Centers (RICs). The Project established
five (5) Regional ICRM Centers to become the hubs for biodiversity
monitoring and research, training and demonstration
4. Implementation of Mangrove/Watershed Conservation. This sub-
component reforested and rehabilitated 4,354.58 hectares of mangroves
and 10,604.88 hectares of watershed areas.
5. Implementation of Biodiversity Conservation Projects

39 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 ICRM Practices
a coastal clean-up
dubbed “Scubasurero”
was conducted by the City
Government of Mati and
DOSCST-RIC XI
participated in this by
involving divers and
sharing of RIC XI SCUBA
diving equipment.

40 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Mati City, Davao

ICRM
Centers

41 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 ICRM Brgy. Suminloc Legaspi

Trainings
(LGUs) Legaspi City

Region XI
Capiz

Mati City, Davao

42 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Component C: Enterprise Development and Income
Diversification.

1. The ecotourism enterprise development was undertaken by the DENR’s Biodiversity

Management Bureau. This subproject promoted responsible travel with emphasis on
experiences with nature through reef discovery (snorkeling and diving), forest adventure
(trekking) and river/mangrove expedition (boating).

43 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 Ecotourism
Sites
Ban-ao Mangrove, Luban Island
Dawey Dawey Eco-River Park,
Panglit Island

Cabicungan River, Cagayan

Bojo Nature Park, Cebu

PAWA Mangrove Nature Park,
Masbate

44 07/14/2022 Add a footer

 COMPONENT D: SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES AND FACILITIES

This component addressed the basic social services needs of disadvantaged

coastal communities and supported LGU efforts to mitigate coastal pollution
and degradation of resources. The component adopted the demand-driven
approach, whereby the municipal governments were directly responsible for
the identification, prioritization and selection of priority social and
environmental services and facilities. The LGUs lead in the design,
implementation and monitoring of the infrastructure facilities.

45 07/14/2022 Add a footer

46 07/14/2022 Add a footer
 Project Recommendations
1. DTI involvement in land enterprises. Particularly for land-based livelihood enterprises,
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) could have participated as co-implementing
agency. The DTI could have linked the SRGs with other players in the commodity value
chain.
2. Ecotourism Site Promotion. While the project provided the necessary start-up activities
for the 22 ecotourism sites, they need further promotion to increase influx of tourists and
ensure continued operation. The ICRMP sites may be endorsed to the respective DoT -
Regional Ecotourism Committees for assistance in promotion and other support activities.
3. Separate Imprest Accounts for DENR and DA-BFAR. The Project could have separated
the accounts of DENR and DA-BFAR and might have possibly improved disbursements.
4. Regular monitoring during construction. Particularly for Component D – SESF, the RPIU
may regularly provide the LGU with monitoring updates regarding progress of
construction of subprojects, copy furnished the Contractor. The LGU and the DENR may
immediately confer and agree on next activities to avoid and/or reduce implementation
slippages.

47 07/14/2022 Add a footer