kaban galing - front cover - galing pook

The Creative Solution
Knowing the importance of mangroves in fish breeding grounds, the
people of Calag-itan began with the earnest rehabilitation of an initial
half hectare. The site, which used to be a mangrove area had become
barren over the years—evidence of the continuing deterioration of the
marine ecosystem.
After the establishment of the sanctuary, and despite massive
education effort, poaching continued. This led the project managers to
introduce seaweed production as a parallel support project to provide
an alternative source of income for the fishing community while at the
same time discouraging would-be poachers because of the enhanced
visibility of the stakeholders in the sanctuary area. The local stakeholders
organized themselves into the Calag-itan Guso Producers Association
(CAGUPA). A Tacloban-based trader is now buying the seaweeds in
bulk. They have also ventured into value-added seaweed products like
pickles and seaweed-based maja.
Assessment of the area was done in coordination with the Provincial
Coastal Resource Management Office (PCRMO), gtz/Leyte Island
Program and the Leyte State University. This was followed by a public
presentation and forum to generate public awareness and understanding
of the need for the project. Community education on the mutual
dependence of flora and fauna and the value of environmental
preservation gave the residents a better appreciation of the need to
protect the environment.
The multi-sectoral partnership mustered behind the project included
the provincial government through the PCRMO, the gtz/Leyte Island
Program, the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources, and the municipal government through the Municipal
Agriculture Office. The project also established a partnership with the
local academe through the Leyte State University Hinunangan Campus
for technical assistance.
The Alternative Becomes Mainstream
Within a few years, the turn-around was well underway. This was
confirmed by an underwater assessment of the project by the Resource
Ecological Assessment Team of the Leyte State University in cooperation
with gtz/Leyte Island Program of Southern Leyte in 2004. The team found
very encouraging results.
Profit Motive Saves Marine Sanctuary 33