Marine Protection & Inspection Custodians

September 2, 2022 September 2, 2022

MPAs reduce human interaction with resources, thereby allowing the resources to replenish. Although MPAs cannot address all problems in the marine resources, especially continued perturbation beyond their boundaries (e.g., overexploitation, destructive fishing activities, point and non-point pollution sources from industrial, agricultural and domestic runoffs, etc.), they help reduce some anthropogenic-related problems and may enhance the resiliency of marine resources to various stressors including climate impacts (Lubchenco et al. 2003). As such, MPAs have increasingly become a popular tool for CRM in the Philippines and around the globe.

Globally, there are 10,280 MPAs covering 2.3% of the world’s ocean area; most of these MPAs are located in coastal and near-shore areas (2012 World Database on Protected Areas, Spalding et al. 2013). In the Philippines, 1,620 locally managed MPAs have been established as of 2011 (National CTI Coordinating Committee 2013). However, many MPAs in the Philippines are small and not effectively managed (Arceo et al. 2008).

The UP-MSI’s Philippine MPA database currently hold information for a total of 1,871 MPAs in the Philippines.

Establishing and managing an MPA within Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) occurs in different stages that have been adapted from the coastal planning process described in Philippine Coastal Management Guidebook 3: Coastal Resource Management Planning (DENR et al., 2001). Though each MPA is unique, the techniques for encouraging community support and establishing an MPA are widely applicable. The general process and activities for establishing and managing an MPA are outlined below

Shore It Up Observation
During the nine years of visiting partner LGUs and coastal communities with established MPAs, Shore It Up observed challenges in some stages in MPA establishment and management. While phases 1, 2 and the first two points of phase 3 are generally implemented, it was observed that most LGUs find it challenging to enforce rules and regulations, strengthening community involvement and the remaining two phases which are monitoring and evaluation, information management, education and outreach.

Shore It Up Answer: Marine Protection & Inspection Custodians
This program aims to capacitate bantay dagat volunteers of partner LGUs in order to be knowledgeable about MPAs and to be competent to their tasks. Shore It Up shall provide selected and qualified volunteers with a special training that combines Shore It Up capacity building modules, open water scuba training and modules from PNP Maritime that include coastal law enforcement, water search and rescue and basic first aid.
Target Locations
1. Alaminos City
2. Mabini, Batangas
3. Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
4. Del Carmen, SDN
5. Medina, Misamis Oriental
Requirement from the LGU:
1. Letter of interest/request from the municipal mayor

1. Copy of the bantay dagat organization and all supporting documents 2. Copy of the MPA declaration/resolution including all information about the MPA 3. Signed MOA with MPIC 4. SB resolution adopting/institutionalizing the program Requirement from bantay dagat volunteer: 1. A volunteer for at least one year 2. Lives in a community within the area of MPA/s 3. Willing to take the open water scuba diver training (for non-divers) 4. Can write understand and speak Tagalog fluently 5. Pass all the training from Shore It Up 6. Should be willing to serve under the program for a minimum of two years Training Program Methodology: Competency Based Training Language to be used: Filipino Part 1 – Orientation (Halfday) Part 2 – Open Water Diver Training* Part 3 – Shore It Up Training (3 Days)** * For bantay dagat volunteers who are not yet certified. Duration of training will depend on location and other considerations ** Includes training from PNP Maritime Group Shore It Up shall provide the following: 1. Trainers 2. Training manuals and materials 3. Official uniform 4. Certificate of attendance and/or competency Program Partners 1. Local Government Unit 2. Barangay where MPA is located 3. PNP Maritime Group through RMU 4. Local Dive Operator 5. Resort closest to the MPA 6. Other possible partners approved by MPIC