ONEOCEAN

Palawan | Negros | Northwest Bohol | Cebu | Sarangani | Davao del Sur

Cebu

CRMP’s primary learning area in Cebu Province is located east of Mactan on the islands of Olango, Sulpa, Nalasuan, Hilutungan, Caohagan, Camungi and Pangan-an, an area covering 1,015 hectares and a coastline of 55 km with 11 barangays and an estimated population of 22,779 people (1995). Olango, in particular, is a developed tourism area largely known for its sandy beaches and as a bird sanctuary. Twice a year from September to November and from February to April, 48 species of migratory birds flock to this small island, enriching the area’s already rich fauna (49 resident avian species, including 7 of unconfirmed origin) and drawing tourists from around the world. But live reef fishing remains the major source of income and, like many small islands whose inhabitants are highly dependent on the sea for livelihood, Olango, as well as the smaller islands nearby, is suffering from declining fish catch resulting from over-fishing and habitat destruction. People are aware of the problem and what causes it: Up to 67% of respondents in a recent survey believed the decline in fish catch would continue in the face of unabated cyanide and blast fishing. CRMP is doing the spadework designed to turn such high level of awareness into concrete actions for sound and sustainable coastal resource management.

The Youth Take a Stand
Youthful energy is behind a burst of activity on Olango Island. Through their involvement in coastal cleanups, fund-raising projects and other community activities, the young people of Olango have taken a stand for better management of coastal resources.

Meanwhile, Learning Area Coordinator Ma. Fe Portigo, ably assisted by a social work intern from St Theresa’s College, is in the thick of preparations for participatory coastal resource assessment at the barangay level. One barangay, Caw-oy, completed its resource assessment last December 7, and the CRMP team is now laying the groundwork for the assessment of resources in other barangays. It has been hard going, despite the islanders’ appreciation of what CRMP is trying to do, admits Portigo. "It is difficult to convince people to attend a workshop if that workshop is going to take them away from work," she explains. "A day’s work for most Olango fishers earns them only enough to feed their family for a day -- three days for these marginal fishers is too long a time to be away from work."

CRMP Enterprise Development Specialist Monette Flores, assisted by 18 youth (18 to 30 years old) volunteers, has finished scanning the area for the best opportunities for enterprise development. Related to this, the Suba Women’s Group was organized in Barangay Sabang to undertake civic action projects and, when they’re ready, to take on some of CRMP’s livelihood development projects. They have already implemented a street beautification project in Sabang, lining the streets with concrete pots planted with colorful bougainvillea. . §

Palawan | Negros | Northwest Bohol | Cebu | Sarangani | Davao del Sur

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