2008 was a very significant year for the CCE Foundation as we celebrated the 10th year of our existence as a foundation for marine conservation in the Philippines and beyond. As we remember our deeds of the past years, we must recognize our present actions that are built on past project and are making a difference in the coastal areas. Project accomplishments for 2008 follow:
The Saving Philippine Reefs expedition to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park was again highly successful due to the unfaltering support of our volunteers. In 2008 the foundation garnered support from a team of 13 volunteers and 8 staff members. The volunteers hailed from the USA, UK, Australia and the Philippines. Most of them are seasoned Saving Philippine Reefs Expedition volunteers who have joined in one or more of the previous expeditions. The team surveyed 7 sites in the north and south reef atolls and during the trip the team was also featured in a local TV show called the Correspondents which covered the history and development of Tubbataha Reefs and its management. Several newspaper and magazine articles were also published about the expedition. The results were shared with various management stakeholders to assist in future decisions for improved management.
In 2008 we finished the implementation of the Private Sector Mobilization Project (PRISM) project of the USAID with positive reviews and notable achievements in the field of reproductive health for export business firms in the Visayas. This adds another dimension of richness to the experience of CCE Foundation as an excellent technical assistance provider for trailblazing projects on integrated population, health, and coastal resource management.
The CCE Foundation likewise gained continuing support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation for the Phase 3 of the Local Governance for Coastal Management Project from 2008 to 2010. The final phase of the project will focus on improving effectiveness of coastal resource management through biophysical and socio-institutional networking of MPAs at the cluster and provincial levels and other best coastal management practices, constituency-building and education for MPA networks, and integrating research, training and information for improved MPA management. Field interventions were started early this year in 20 municipalities in Southern Cebu and Siquijor. The project focused on strengthening the municipal clusters of Southeast Cebu, Southwest Cebu and Province of Siquijor, conducting law enforcement and youth camp trainings, MPA biophysical monitoring and feedback of results, establishing user fee systems, among others.
2008 also marked the start of the National Geographic Society project entitled: “Determining Management Effectiveness of MPAs in the Asia-Pacific Region.” This project will determine the geographical extent of MPAs in the Philippines and Indonesia and estimate the level of management effectiveness so that the relative level of marine conservation being achieved can be measured. MPA management effectiveness will be determined through the application of an existing MPA rating system developed by CCEF and now currently utilized in the Philippines. A geographical database for all MPAs in the two countries will be the main output of this project.
Along with the aforesaid project, the Foundation also implemented various MPA projects in different locations. The "Marine Protected Area for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Associated Habitats in the Municipality of Tingloy, Batangas Project" has provided technical assistance to the Tingloy municipal government and local resource managers to strengthen the management and conservation of coral reefs and associated habitats through MPAs. This project, which is funded by the First Conservation Philippines, Inc., is ended in December 2008.
A new MPA project was initiated in the Province of Cebu, particularly in the Northern Cebu municipalities, namely: San Remegio, Tuburan, and Tabuelan. With funding support from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this “Developing a Provincial MPA Management Effectiveness Program in the Province of Cebu, Philippines” project is focusing on improving management effectiveness of MPAs by building capacities and implementing a provincial learning network and MPA management effectiveness system for MPAs in the Province of Cebu that contributes to and assists to refine the national MPA Rating and Database System.
The Foundation continued its campaign for “One Million Mangroves for Cebu” through a project supported by the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc. With the over-all aim of mangrove rehabilitation and restoration through planting, establishment of mangrove nurseries, provision of alternative livelihoods, and active campaigning for private sector participation, the project has successfully reached its goals by the end of the year. The project will be replicated in other areas in Cebu and Siquijor as it has been deemed an important aspect of our marine conservation efforts.
Adding substantially to the above portfolio of projects above is the Pew Fellows project entitled: “Understanding and Planning for the Socio-Ecological Dimensions of MPA Networks in the Philippines and Beyond,” which is implemented in collaboration with Patrick Christie, Ph.D. Now in its second year, the project aims to establish a functional network of 36 MPAs in the Central Visayas of the Philippines within an EBM framework and foster other networks elsewhere. This is accomplished through targeted research as well as local and international education programs.
The project “Environmental Education for Media Practitioners” was likewise implemented successfully by CCE Foundation under the small-grants program of the Foundation for Philippine Environment. The project intended to expose media practitioners in Cebu to environmental issues and to ensure their significant contribution towards educating the general public about the environment.
Aileen Maypa, our Fulbright-Philippines Agriculture Scholarship Program scholar and Ph. D. candidate at University of Hawaii at Manoa also began her dissertation research called: Mechanisms by which marine protected areas enhance surrounding fish yields: implications to food security in developing countries. This study aims to contribute both to coral reef fishery conservation and food security in developing countries by utilizing existing fishery management tools, such as no-take marine protected areas (MPAs). Part of the data for this project is being used by the local management and governance bodies of Apo Island Marine Sanctuary in reviewing its status and in proposing a second MPA in the island. It also contributed in conflict resolution at the local level.
Several members of the staff attended and presented papers (oral and poster) at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A on July 7-10, 2008. Those presenting and their papers included: Dr. Alan T. White presented: “Networks of MPAs in the Philippines: Status and Considerations for Effectiveness”, Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio presented: “Finding the Right Fit for EBM in the Philippines”, Mr. Rizaller Amolo presented: “Improving Governance of Marine Protected Areas through Inter-Local Government Collaboration in Central Philippines”, and Mr. Roxie Diaz presented: “Community Involvement in Monitoring and Evaluation of MPAs in Central Philippines”. Meanwhile, another staff member attended the 2008 Summer Institute for Coastal Management at the Coastal Resources Center of the University of Rhode Island, June 9-29, 2008.
CCEF Organizational Sustainability
A new thrust for CCE Foundation in 2008 was to embark on the Organizational Effectiveness Project to improve organizational effectiveness and overall sustainability. The major focus on this program is on governance style, management capacity, human resources, financial resources, service delivery, and external relations. With the support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, this is a crucial undertaking for the Foundation’s sustainability and expansion of its marine conservation activities. To achieve this, there were several workshops facilitated by an external consultant with the active participation of staff members and the Board of Trustees.
The highlights of the project are the Staff Teambuilding and Strategic Planning Workshop as well as the Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting and strategic planning workshop at Kailua, Hawaii. The objectives of the BOT meeting were to (1) set the Foundation’s strategic direction in implementing environmental management, education, and training; (2) consider sustainable directions in staff development; (3) decide on financial sustainability of the Foundation; (4) draft a strategic plan to incorporate all ideas and directions. In this workshop, the BOT built upon the outputs of the Staff Workshop held in October 2008. A classification of actions into CCEF organization and personnel, programs and services, business development and expanding conservation activities was made and which was further developed to create the first draft of the Foundation strategic plan.
Key result areas in this meeting were to (1) Achieve CCEF growth in terms of revenues and programs within three years, aiming for a 200% growth in 3 years (Jan 2009-Dec 2011) with the baseline end-of-year budget on December, 2008; (2) Expand coverage of programs and services of CCEF by identifying expansion growth targets and enhancing CCEF as a coastal resource management resource and service provider on a national and international scale; and (3) Develop the organization to support its growth in products and services, particularly in the areas of sustainability in funding, to be addressed by the hiring of a Development Director.
Indeed, 2008 was a year filled with blessings along with the opportunity to improve the CCE Foundation’s organizational missions in order to attain its vision and goals. With this sense of accomplishment, the Foundation is ready to embark on another challenge-filled year towards its purpose of attaining the sustainable use and management of coastal and marine resources for present and future generations.