November 12–13, 2025 | DENR-CENRO Argao Office, Argao, Cebu – The Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF) actively participated in the Southeast Cebu Coastal Resource Management Council (SCCRMC) Strategic Planning Workshop. The workshop gathered technical working group and representatives from the ADABOSS municipalities (Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander, and Samboan), with the support of the DENR CENRO Argao, to collaboratively develop a three-year Strategic Plan for the Southeast Cebu Coastal Resource Management Council.
Through a series of facilitated discussions and workshops, participants agreed on a shared vision and mission for the SCCRMC and identified key goals that will shape the future of the MPAN. These include (1) protecting, restoring, and maintaining healthy and connected marine ecosystems; (2) fostering unified policies and coordinated decision-making among council members; (3) promoting sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism, and conservation-aligned livelihoods; (4) integrating climate risk reduction and nature-based solutions into coastal management; (5) and empowering coastal communities and civil society in monitoring, enforcement, and governance.
At the end of the two-day workshop, a comprehensive Strategic Plan for 2026–2028 was finalized, outlining priority actions, responsible entities, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure measurable progress in MPAN management. The finalized document will be presented for Council approval during the first quarter SCCRMC meeting, tentatively scheduled on February 17, 2026, in Dalaguete, Cebu.
As the SCCRMC finalizes its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, the Council steps into a new chapter of unified, science-driven coastal governance. This achievement is especially meaningful because the waters of Southeast Cebu are shared by multiple LGUs—an arrangement that, when guided by a single strategic framework, has been shown to dramatically strengthen marine management outcomes. Studies in the Philippines affirm this: co-management of shared waters enhances enforcement, reduces jurisdictional conflicts, and creates the “optimal institutional setting” for effective fisheries governance. Local reseach further demonstrates that such coordinated approaches can directly increase fish productivity and improve ecosystem health.
By anchoring its next steps in a unified, research-backed strategic plan, the SCCRMC is adopting an approach proven to strengthen enforcement and enhance ecological outcomes in shared waters. This sets Southeast Cebu on a clear path toward more resilient ecosystems and empowered coastal communities.
