November 18–19, 2025 | Dauis, Bohol — Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO) – Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Division, in partnership with the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF), successfully conducted a two‑day Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment (PCRA) Training for CRM Officers from Bohol’s coastal municipalities.
The activity was facilitated by CCEF Consultant Mrs. Evelyn T. Deguit, together with the CCEF, who is a co‑author of the 2004 PCRA Training Guide Manual developed under the Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) and the Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest (FISH) Project. Her contributions have shaped PCRA practices that continue to guide coastal resource assessments across the Philippines today.
The training aimed to equip CRM Officers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to conduct community‑based coastal resource assessments, an essential foundation for developing responsive and science‑informed coastal management plans. Over the course of two days, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of coastal and marine management, including an overview of the Philippine coastal zone, its vulnerabilities, and the emerging threats faced by coastal communities. The sessions also covered the CRM planning process and its role in supporting sustainable development at the local level.
Participants engaged with key PCRA tools such as secondary data review, key informant interviews, seasonal calendars, and diagramming, which were complemented by practical discussions on field methods including community mapping, transect walks, and habitat assessments for mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. Techniques such as fish visual census and manta tow surveys were also introduced to strengthen participants’ understanding of ecological monitoring. The second day focused on applying these tools in the field, followed by basic data processing and discussions on how PCRA results can inform planning, decision‑making, and the formulation of coastal management strategies.
By strengthening the capacity of CRM Officers to conduct participatory and science‑based assessments, the training contributes to Bohol’s broader efforts to protect and sustainably manage its coastal ecosystems. Empowering local implementers with practical skills and grounded knowledge ensures that coastal management plans reflect community realities and ecological needs. Through this initiative, Bohol moves closer to achieving healthy coastal ecosystems and engaged coastal communities, an aspiration central to CCEF’s mission and the province’s long‑term coastal governance goals.
