OSLOB, CEBU, September 30, 2026
Information on marine protected areas (MPAs), monitoring results, ordinances, and project documentation remains dispersed among local government units (LGUs) and partner organizations in South Cebu, limiting access to updated data for planning and decision-making.
To address this gap, the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF), with support from the Unico Conservation Foundation, under the Networking of MPAs thru Coastal LGUs Alliance Project (NMCLAP) conducted an orientation on the Web-Based Database Network Setup for the South Cebu Coastal Resource Management Council (SCCRMC).
Rationale
NMCLAP Project Coordinator Ranie Ibañez opened the activity by explaining why a centralized system is needed. He pointed to the current state of document and records management among SCCRMC members, including the risk of losing records when leadership changes. Communications and Impact Officer Justine Baisac then discussed the database’s intended users and the roles of its members, who are referred to as Partners.
System Presentation
IT and Database Administrator Al Jiereil M. Lozada, the developer of the SCCRMC CRM Database, presented its technical specifications and key features. The platform provides general information on Southeast Cebu, SCCRMC officers and partners, CCEF projects and staff, a Partner Directory, and a Database Page organized by document category. Partners may submit documents and monitor the status of their submissions, while administrators review each submission prior to its inclusion in the database.
Hands-On Testing
Participants took part in a live testing session in which all Partners present successfully uploaded a file to the database. They were reminded to upload only non-sensitive documents, a point reinforced by a representative of the Argao LGU, who emphasized diligence in the materials shared. In the afternoon session, participants reviewed and updated the SCCRMC Partner Directory.
Voices from the Partners
Representatives from the participating LGUs and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices (MENROs) shared their thoughts on the database after the orientation.
“It connects our cluster and our council, making our contacts and information about our LGUs accessible. I see this as very useful because when the person in charge retires, leaves, or is replaced, it is important that we have a stable databank for our council. There may be additional suggestions as we go along. Let us all help so it becomes better and more useful for the council.”
— Edward A. Viñan, Fisheries Technician, LGU-Argao
“I am happy because in tourism, we really need to connect with the environment, so our projects going forward need a scientific approach and should not be done haphazardly. I’m glad this is like a mini library. When we need data, it is all there online and easy to find. I support this because it is a good initiative. Even when LGU officials are no longer around, the data remains.”
— Mark Rajah Navarrete, Municipal Tourism Officer, LGU-Dalaguete
“It would be better if LGUs could edit our own information, so we can update it whenever there are changes.”
— Genybbi Sinanggote, JO Forester, MENRO, LGU-Alcoy
“We really had no databank repository. Now, we no longer have to struggle sifting through paper files, because we can easily find what we need in this web-based database. When farmers and fisherfolk need data, we can provide it easily.”
— Stephanie M. Tural, MENRO, LGU-Boljoon
“On behalf of LGU Oslob, we are very thankful to CCEF for this activity. I am also thankful for this directory and database where all our files can be found, so we no longer have to rummage around everywhere. If someone replaces us, the files are still there.”
— Elsie M. Ronolo, Municipal Tourism Officer, LGU-Oslob
“This initiative is a great advantage for those who come after us, because they will no longer have to search. I searched a lot. I even went to DENR, BFAR, and CCEF because the documents were simply not available. I am very thankful to CCEF because, because of this, all documents and ordinances that can still be used by those who follow are here in the database.”
— Jefferson Booc, Fisheries Technician, LGU-Oslob
“This is very helpful because we can immediately find what we need related to the environment and our MPAs. When there are biophysical assessments, I always refer to Sir Ranie for where the reports and results are. Through the database, we can upload them and access our assessments and documents right away.”
— Rodan T. Culanibang, MENRO Designate, LGU-Santander
Building a Digital Foundation for Shared Waters
The Southeast Cebu Coastal Resource Management Council (SCCRMC) brings together member LGUs that each manage and enforce coastal laws within their own municipal waters, while working together toward the sustainable management of a common coastal and marine environment. This collaboration is most effective when the LGUs work from the same reliable information on MPAs, fisheries, and coastal monitoring.
A shared database makes that possible. When MPA boundaries, biophysical assessments, ordinances, maps, and project records are kept in one place, every member has access to the same current information. Each LGU can continue to carry out its own mandate, while the council can compare results across municipalities, identify management gaps, and plan joint initiatives with greater confidence. Because the records stay with the council rather than with any one office, they also remain intact through changes in leadership, preserving the council’s institutional memory.
The orientation, attended by 26 participants from LGUs, MENROs, and CCEF, marks an important step toward that goal. By building a shared digital repository of coastal and marine resource information, the SCCRMC is strengthening its capacity to manage its waters with continuity, coordination, and evidence, so that today’s records continue to guide the stewardship of Southeast Cebu’s coasts for the terms to come.
