Community-based Coastal Monitoring Team Trained in Baldat, Culion
Fifteen representatives from government agencies, community organizations, and the academe attended a three-day training and baseline assessment for coastal resource monitoring in Baldat, Culion, from January 19 to 21, 2026. The event, titled “Formation and Training of Community-based Mangrove, Seagrass, and Coral Monitoring Team and Conduct of Baseline Assessment,” convened key stakeholders, including the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, CENRO, MAO, MDRRMO, Municipal Tourism Office, People’s Organizations, Baldat Women, Baldat BLGU, Culion Dive Community, MFARMC, and the academe.
The training emphasized science-based and ecosystem-based management of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, stressing the important role of women in fisheries and nature-based solutions. Mr. Niño Jess Mar F. Mecha, a resource speaker from Western Philippines University – Culion Campus, presented practical methodologies for coral reef assessment.
Participants completed a three-day on-site practicum, during which they conducted field assessments that also served as baseline data collection for the project. This resulted in the identification of coral reef and seagrass sampling and validation sites, which were proposed and discussed during community consultations as part of the Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment (PCRA). These activities promote broad stakeholder engagement in marine zone validation and the identification of potential management areas.
The collected baseline data will serve as a reference for evaluating project impact and will inform the development of a comprehensive, science-based Baldat Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management Plan. Culion Foundation Inc. will present the assessment results to guide the following steps in MPA planning and management.
#CFI50 #KABAYAN #PCP4NbS
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