Ripples of Hope over Troubled Waters: The Calancan Bay Experience SEARCA Monograph Series 2002-2 Francisco P. Fellizar, Jr., Wannah Maria Ayesha H. Velo, Robert G. Bernardo

1. Ripples of Hope over Troubled Waters:
The Calancan Bay Experience

2. Ripples of Hope Over
Troubled Waters:
The Calancan Bay
Experience
Francisco P. Fellizar, Jr.,
Wanah Maria Ayesa H. Velo
Robert G. Bernardo

3. The SEAMEO Regio na l Center tor Graduate Study and Resear ch in Agriculture (SE ARCA)
is one of the regional research and training centers of the So utheast As ian Mini sters of
Education O rganiza tio n (SEAME O), an intergovernment body founded in 1965 to promote
coop er ati on amo ng So utheas t Asian nations through acti vit ies in ed uca tion, sc ience , and
cu lture. SEARCA's programs are designed to accel er ate sustai nable agricu lture and rural
developm ent thr ough human reso urce development , resear ch , technology tra nsfer, and
info rm ati on dis semi nation . It is hosted by the Philippine Govern me nt on the campus of the
Universi ty of the Phili ppines Los Banos, which is based in Lo s Banos, Lag una, Phil ippines.
It is suppo rted by donation s from SEA M EO memb er and associa te me mber states, other
gove rnme nts, and vario us internat ional donor age nc ies.
Ripples of Ho pe Over Troubl ed Waters: The Calancan Bay Experience
Francisco P. Fe llizar , Jr., Wanah Maria Ayesa H. Vela, and Robert G. Berna rdo
Publi shed by SE AMEO SEARCA, Co llege, Lo s Banos , Lagu na, P hilippines
Pr inted in the Repub lic of the Phili ppin es
F irst Printing, Nove mbe r 2002
Style Edi ting and
Cover Desi gn: Lea h Lyn D. Dom ingo
Philippine Co pyright 2002 by the SEAMEO Regional Ce nter for G raduate Study and
Resear ch in Agri cultu re (SEA RCA)
All rig hts reserved . No part of thi s publi cat ion may be reproduced or transmitted in any
fo rm or by any means, electro nic or mecha nical , including photocopy, reco rd ing, or any
infor mati on storage and ret rieval system, withou t pe rmissio n in wr iting fro m SEA M EO
SEARCA .
ISBN No. 971 -560-19 1-3

4. Foreword
Coastal resources are critical and vaJuable assets for achieving
sustainable development. These resources support a wide range of economic
activities and ecological functions . However, they have been severely
stressed due to the impacts of population and economic pressures, upland
as well as lowland activities, and use of destructive fishing methods, among
others. In cognizance of these problems, strategies have been designed in
managing these resources but most have generally failed in providing
effective and long-term solutions. This is mainly because many have failed
to consider the interrelated nature of the upland, lowland, and coastal
ecosystems .
Based on the principles of integrated landscape approach that treats
the upland, lowland, and coastal ecosystems as interactive, SEARCA's
Coastal Resource Management Project, under its Natural Resource
Management Program, aims to enhance the capability for designing and
implementing community-based resource management projects as strategies
for achieving sustainable development in coastal areas in Southeast Asia .
This monograph is a product of SEARCA's research conducted in
Calancan Bay, Marinduque, Philippines that had been the discharge point
of mine tailings of the Marcopper Mining Corporation (MMC) for 18
years. Through this publication, we share om experiences in managing
and conserving the degraded coastal ecosystem of Calancan Bay. Our aim
is to provide valuable insights to planners, researchers, community workers,
and policymakers.
~:;u~
RUBEN L. VILLAREAL
Director

5. Introduction
Calancan Bay is located in the northernmost tip of the island province
of Marinduque. It is approximately between 121"55'40" and 122'02'06"
E longitudes and between 13'29'41" and 13O33'02" N latitudes. It is
bounded in the east by Sta. Cruz Island, in the west by Sayao Bay and the
municipality of Mogpog, and in the south by Barangay Larnesa and Dolores.
Calancan Bay had been the discharge point of mine tailings resulting
from the mining operations of the Marcopper Mining Corporation (MMC)
in San Antonio, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. This dumping had been continues
for 18 years, from 1975 to 1992, resulting in the formation of a 4.7 krn
causeway with a total area of 84 ha, practically dividing Calancan Bay
into its western and eastern sections (Fig. 1). MMC's initial authority to
dump its tailings in the bay was by virtue of a permit granted by the
National Pollution Control Commissjon (NPCC) on 24-October 1975.
The Calancan
Bay Rehabilitation
Program (CBRP)
was created by
virtue of the
P o l l u t i o n
Adjudication Board
(PAB) Resolution
No. 9 issued on 9
June 1988, which
established
guidelines for
rehabilitating the
portions of the bay
that were affected
by the dumping.
Figure 1. Causeway resulting from mine tailings in
Calancan Bay.
The project funding came from the Ecology Trust Fund (ETF), which the
Office of the President (OP) on 13 May 1988 asked MMC to set up at the
rate of 30,000 for each day that the OP-issued restraining order was in
effect. The CBRP implemented five projects, namely: 1) reforestation of

6. ~iiinctailings causeway and mangrove areas, 2) transplantation of seagrass
and establishment of artificial seagrass systems, 3) deployment of artificial
reefs, 4) fish yield monitoring, and 5) water quality monitoring. In 1996,
CBRP commissioned SEAMEO SEARCA to evaluate the CBRP and
recommend future activities that should be integrated in the program to
enhance its effectiveness.
As a result of the evaluation activities, SEARCA was tasked to develop
an integrated area management plan (IAMP) for Calancan Bay. In facilitating
the development of the plan, SEARCA espoused the concept of comrnunity-
based resource management, a highly participatory resource planning and
management approach. A multidisciplinary team composed of experts in
environmental planning, agriculture, forestry, aquatidfishery,
socioeconomic (gender and agroindustrialization/livelihood),hydrology,
institution/policy, wildlife, health, and ecotourism was formed to address
biophysical, socioeconomic, and politico-administrative issues. The
management plan covers the seven barangays (i.e., Botilao, Dating Bayan,
Ipil, Kamandugan, Kalangkang, Kasily, and San Isidro) of the municipality
of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque which were identified as heavily affected by the
mine tailings dumping.
Approach and Methodology
SEARCA adopted the community-based approach in resource planning
and management for Calancan Bay. Community-based resource
management (CBRM) is a process by which the people are provided the
opportunity and/or responsibility to manage their own resources; define
their needs, goals, and aspirations; and make decisions affecting their
well-being (Fellizar 1993). Essential elements of CBRM include, among
others, community access and control over resources, proper resource
use, viable organization, and availability of suitable technology (Fellizar
1993). It has six underlying features and/or assumptions:
The quality of life of the population is largely a factor of resource
endowment and the manner in which these resources are allocated
by humankind singly or collectively;
CBRM emphasizes the significance of considering or specifying a
particular locale or setting where people resources-interaction takes
place;
2

7. 0 CBRM requires an inventory of resources and capabilities (both
biophysical and human) in a given area;
CBRM promotes community-centered and long-term goals;
0 CBRM proposes actions involving decision-making at the lowest
level possible; and
CBRM believes that communities can manage their own resources.
Figure 2 shows the process framework adopted by SEARCA in
developing the Integrated Area Management Plan (IAMP). The integrated
area management framework also requires that environmental, economic,
social, and political dynamics be incorporated in the planning process,
and the active involvement of the public in all stages of the project.
STTUATlONAL ANALYSIS
- Land Use
Rewurce and Ecnlogical Assessment
Sociocennomic EvaluationlAlternative
Livelihoods
- Fisheries
Policy, Legal, and Institutional Arrangcmcnts
- Fc~restry
Hcalth
2
n L
J
R&D Issues, Needs. G a p s ,
Opportunities & Threats
-n
I &
Identification o f Goals a n d Objectives
of M a n a g e m e n t Plan'
-=LL
Preparation of lntegrated Area
Management Plan (IAMP)
Managcment Body/Council
.Management Zones
- Managcment Strategies and
- Projects
Stakeholder Participation
-
-LA-
Implementation o f [AMP
Figure 2. Process framework for Calancan Bay IAMP.

8. A crit icid llcccl i l l Initlli~gclnclll
plill~li~lg( I W cs(;~hlish~~~cnl
is o1'a rclii~hlc
Ixlsclinc prol'ilc or it11 analysis of the currcnt biophysical, socioeconomic,
and institulional status of the area. In this regard, SEARCA formed an
inlerdisciplinary team and applied a combination of methodologies such
as field observations and measurements, focus group discussions, key
informant ipterviews, formal survey, field sampling and laboratory analysis,
and review of secondary literature to come up with a comprehensive
understanding of the project's areas of concern. Team members also
attended local meetings as observers to understand local socio-cultural
and institutional dynamics. Informal discussions with community members
also revealed a wealth of information that would have otherwise been
unavailable through formal channels. It was the SEARCA team's
responsibility to sift through these information and conduct validation
activities to ensure that the information obtained were genuine and useful.
Through the baseline profiles, the research and development (R&D)
issues, needs, and gaps as well as the opportunities and threats were
identified. While the project covered only the seven barangays that were
identified as having been affected by the dumping, it was unavoidable to
include other barangays andlor ecosystems that are integrally part of the
entire Calancan Bay watershed. Thus, some identified concerns reflect the
status and concerns not only of the seven barangays and their component
ecosystems, but that of other adjacent barangays as well.
Realities, Constraints, and Opportunities:
The Calancan Bay Setting
Owing to the complex nature of the coastal resources, a human
ecological perspective was adopted to analyze the scenario in Calancan
Bay and the management of its coastal resources.
Human ecological perspective allows holistic understanding of man-
environment interactions. It provides a framework for the analysis and
prescription of the appropriate mix of strategies to forge the needed balance
between man's action and the capacity of natural resources to provide for
man's welfare. The human ecological perspective provides an integrative
and conlprehensive appreciation of the complex interaction between and
among population, resources, institution, and technology, which are
often overlooked in the planning and management of fishery resources.

9. Understanding the man-environment relationship minimizes negative
impacts, thus ensuring long-term sustainability of the resource to meet the
diverse and changing needs of man. Figure 3 shows the human ecological
view in coastal resource management.
Figure 3. Human ecological view of coastal resource management.
......................... REALITIES
Resources and 3lechnology
Land Use and Agriculture
The project area covers the seven barangays that had been previously
identified as most affected by the dumping of the mine tailings. These
barangays are Ipil, Kamandugan, Kalangkang, Kasily, Botilao, Dating
Bayan, and San Isidro. With a combined area of about 3,381 ha, these
barangays generally have undulating and rolling to hilly topography and
the landscape is generally dominated by coconut-based farming systems.
Other important crops in the area are banana, rootcrops, and arrowroot.
Small patches of rice paddies are cultivated mainly for home consumption.
Traditional agriculture, that is, use of traditional varieties with no fertilizer
or pesticide application, generally characterize local agriculture. Among
the seven barangays, Dating Bayan and San Isidro are inland barangays
and therefore have no coastal shorelines.

10. I?ol-cstrylvcgetationand 'I'cr~xstrial
Wildlife
Two types of forests exist in the area: the 124.51 ha limestone or
molave (Vitexparvrjlora)forest under the jurisdiction of Barangay Dating
Bayan and the 595.1 ha mangrove forests traversing the coastlines of Botilao,
Ipil, Kalangkang, Kasily, and Kamandugan. The limestone forests have
been badly exploited owing to their relative accessibility and the high
value of molave timber. The remaining molave stand was found to be
insignificant, being widely dispersed and with 20 cm as the biggest diameter
encountered. An old-growth limestone forest is estimated to yield an average
of not more than 30 m3/haof timber of merchantable size. In the case of
Calancan Bay, wood volume was estimated to be less than 4 m3/ha. Other
species identified in the limestone forest include alupas (Euphora didyma),
balakat (Ziziphys talanai), lanete (Wrightia laniti), taluto (Pterocymbium
tinctorium), and narra (Pterocarpus indicus).
Assessment of the mangrove forest, on the other hand, revealed dense
stands with an estimated density of 108 trees per 100 m2, or spacing of
less than 1 x 1 m. Bakauan babae (Rhizophora mucronata) was the most
frequent species encountered, followed by bakauan lalaki (Rhizophora
apiculata) and tangal (Ceriops tagal). The estimated average volume of
the mangrove forest in the entire Calancan Bay is 145,848.34 m3or 264.76
m3/ha. This total volume is expected to increase further as the mangrove
stands have been found to be relatively young, based on the preponderance
of trees with diameter of 0.5 to 5 cm.
The area also boasts of fascinating extensive wildlife. The encountered,
observed, and/or reported wildlife in the area include:
0 75 species of birds, including 17 Philippine endemics, 4-6
Marinduque endemics, and two migratory species, observed mostly
in secondary and in mangrove forests;
0 18 mammals, four of which are Philippine endemics and three are
commensal to human habitation. Of these species, 16 were recorded
in secondary forests, 10 in agro-forests, and four in mangroves;
18 species of amphibians and reptiles, including five Philippine
endemics and six commensal species. Eleven species were recorded
in secondary forests, 10 in agro-forests, and six in mangroves.

11. Among the six amphibians recorded, three were endemic and two
were commensal. Among the 12 reptiles, two are Philippine
endemics and four are commensal. Moreover, an unknown species
of Forest Frog Platymantis sp. may be present in the vicinity of the
limestone caves based on the calls. This, however, needs to be
further verified. These are new records for the islands as there are
no known records for amphibians and reptiles from Marinduque
island;
111 species of terrestrial vertebrates, of which 26 are endemic to
the Philippines. Six of these vertebrate species, which are endemic
only to the Philippines and have a threatened status.
Four reported species in the area are now feared as extinct (the
warty pig, Sus philippensis; Philippine brown deer, Cervus
mariannus; Rufous Hornbill, Buceros hydrocorax; and Southern
Luzon giant cloud rat, Phloeomys cumingi).
Hydrology
The estimated water resources in the area include 2,000,000 million
m3/year of surface waterlstreamflow, 1,600,000 million m3/year of
groundwater safe yield, 1,873 rnrnlyear of rainfall, and 50,000 m3 of
impoundment. The areas covered by the project are generally classified
as difficult areas, that is, areas with groundwater depths that var;
considerably, with about 25 percent of developed wells yielding non-
productive boreholes. Only part of Botilao, San Isidro, and a very small
part of Kamandugan have deep well areas.
Coastal Resources
The whole coastline of Calancan Bay is lined intermittently with
mangroves. Thick mangrove patches occupy the innermost portions of
Barangay Kalangkang, Bofilao, and Ipil. Where the mangroves end, seagrass
beds grow, occupying a large area, particularly in coves between Botilao
and Banot Island and the area east of the causeway in front of the thick
mangroves of Ipil. From the coastline of Kalangkang to midway of Ipil
may be found an extensive reef structure made up predominantly of sand
and silt with patches of small colonies of massive corals, rocks, and rubbles.

12. No significant coral formations, however, exist on the reef flat. Coral
formations are shallow and moderately extensive on the edge, extending
from a depth of 2 n~to 8 m, and more than 15 m at the outermost edges.
Coral formations west of the causeway occupy half of the northern portion
of Hakupan Island and around most of the small islands of Banot. The
major benthic components comprising the reef include live hard corals,
other invertebrate fauna, dead corals, and other abiotic components.
Although some algae were observed, algal assemblages were not significant
in all sampling stations except at Manulao Shoal and Barangay Kalangkang.
Visual fish census revealed nine families of commercially important species,
5 species of schooling commercial food fish, and 15 major families in the
bay. A total of 82 species distributed among 22 families and 1,846
individuals were recorded in all sample stations in the bay.
Population
Socio-demographic Profile
The human population of the seven barangays comprises about 11
percent of Sta. Cruz's total population of 53,000 (1990 census). The
annual population growth rate in the municipality is low at 0.15 percent,
which is reflective of the outmigration patterns prevailing in the province.
The socioeconomic survey conducted in the seven barangays showed high
literacy at 96 percent, with the majority of the respondents having finished
elementary school only. More females were able to reach or complete
11igI1 school education than males, who are considered to have greater
flexibility in finding jobs even without high educational attainments. The
average household size in the area is five.
The majority of the respondents is engaged in farming and fishing,
which is their primary source of livelihood. Livestock production is also
a major source of income among households. The average annual household
income is P28,706, but the majority of households have less than P5,000
annual household income from various occupations. Production enterprises
are the common activities (e.g., copra productibn, fish production/
harvesting, arrowroot production), with very few individuals engaging in
processing and/or trading. The suki system is the prevalent marketing
arrangement as the regular buyers of the produce also serve as the

13. household's convenient sources of credit. Most farm produce are sold in
the locality. Fish are usually sold to compradors based in the coastal
barangays, who then transport the fish to Lucena City. Gender roles have
been apparently delineated in various household and livelihood activities,
with strenuous and non-household activities generally assigned to men.
Women and children, on the other hand, generally take care of household
chores and livelihood activities that are based in the household (e.g.,
backyard gardening and backyard livestock production). The majority of
the respondents were open to diversification and/or expansion of their
current enterprises to increase family income.
Health Profile
Health remains a major issue in the area, particularly after then
President Fidel V. Ramos declared Barangays Botilao, Ipil, and Kamandugan
as calamity areas for health reasons. The leading causes of mortality and
morbidity show the emergence of chronic non-communicable diseases such
as cancer, CVA, hypertension, and cor-pulmonale. On the other hand,
colnmunicable diseases such as Koch's pneumonia, diarrhea, and influenza
continue to be the leading causes of morbidity. The apparent exposure of
the population to heavy metals, particularly in the seven barangays, has
allegedly caused blood-related health problems in the community. Deaths
due to aplastic anemia, leukemia, and other blood dyscrasias registered
noticeable increases as shown by the records of RHU I and I1 from 1975
to 1996.
Institutions
Several institutions are already working in Calancan Bay, but concerted
effort is needed to consolidate and integrate the various plans toward a
common goal. There is a strong environmental awareness among local
communities, and this may be harnessed if local institutions could only
link and harinoniously work together. The threats to the institutional
stability in the area are the institutional conflicts and poor prosecution of
offenders (e.g., illegal fishers, illegal loggers). These need to be resolved
if only to operationalize the sustainability of a community-based
management approach for Calancan Bay.

14. ............. CONSTRAINTS and OPPORTUNITIES
Calancan Bay may be generally characterized as an ecosystem that
has been degraded by mining activities, aggravated by increased economic
pressures from its fishery-dependent marginalized population. Calancan
Bay should therefore address the twin concerns of ecological restoration
and economic enhancement.
This section discusses the issues that currently impinge on the integrity,
rehabilitation, and conservation of Calancan Bay's coastal resources. These
are the very issues that characterize the "troubled waters" of the
bay- ecologically, socially, economically, and politically.
Resources and Ykchnology
Upland areas covered by the seven barangays have been largely
deforested and converted to agriculture, largely coconut-based farming.
Small patches of secondary forests were observed, not because of intentional
protection but mainly due to their inaccessible locations.
The major problem besetting the management of the remaining
timberland in Calailcan Bay is the absence of boundaries that set the extent/
limit of the timberland as clearly demarcated by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in its land classification map.
[Inless clear delineations are set on the ground, the remaining timberland
will continuously become subject to encroachment or speculation by lot
owners adjacent to it.
The size of the remaining limestone forest is relatively small,
considering the number of people dependent on it for fuelwood and lumber
supply. This is further constrained by the slow rate of growth of trees,
owing to their edaphic characteristics, which renders them insufficient to
~llcct demands of the Calancan Bay population. The destruction of the
the
l i~ncstone forest has also affected wild animals (especially monkeys), which
I ~ ; I s also affected agricultural production. Moreover, the insufficiency of
I ~rliherresources (both for fuelwood and construction timber) resulted in

15. the exploitation of mangrove forests. Interviews with some leaders in lpil
revealed that there is an existing barangay ordinance that allows local
residents to cut trees from the mangrove for house construction. Said
ordinance also reportedly requires users to plant the same number of trees
that were cut. The idea appears to be good, but monitoring and evaluation
need to be institutionalized.
While it is recognized by the barangays that the mangrove forest serves
important ecological role in the maintenance of marine resources, threats
to its integrity continue to be present. For instance, recent surveys revealed
that 85 percent of Sta. Cruz households use fuelwood as source of energy
for cooking. Fuelwood consumption per bakery is about 2.5 to
4 m3/week, while households consume about 1.5 to 1.75 m3/ week. Due
to lack of good sources of fuelwood, commonly used species include those
that appear in backyards (e.g., ipil-ipil, guava, madre de cacao, cypress).
With the current demand for wood energy, the establishment of fuelwood
plantations for domestic needs is an opportunity that deserves serious
consideration. Therefore, there is a need for creative management options
involving the DENR, local government units, and the communities to
address the issue of effective forest conservation and management.
The negative consequences of deforestation and indiscriminate logging
have been clearly demonstrated in many studies in the Philippines as well
as elsewhere in the world. These include increased soil erosion, loss of
soil fertility, reduced water retention and water supply, hastening of global
warming, and loss of biodiversity. Forests are one of the most diverse
ecosystems on earth, on which depend the sustenance and survival of
other plants and animals, including man. Thus, the loss of Calancan Bay's
forest resources would have consequent effects on the integrity, number,
and quality of other flora and fauna in the area.
Within the seven barangays, there have been several visible incidences
that can be traced to the reduction in forest cover. One is the declining
fertility of soil as evidenced by low. productivity of cocoimt and other
crops. Another is the encroachment of wild monkeys on farms. Some
terrestrial vertebrates and endemics in the area are considered threatened
and face extinction. While the project area was classified as a difficult
area in terms of water resources, deforestation may have had also affected
the reduced or weakened water supply in deep wells.

16. Illappropriate crop selection is also one of the major causes of low
productivity of upland farms in the area. Simply put, crops being grown
i l l lllc upland farms are not appropriate to the soil, climatic, and hydrological
conditions of the area. These are further aggravated by poor cultural
nanagement practices.
I ,owland Environment
Similar to the upland scenario, lowland agriculture in the seven
harangays may also be generally characterized by inappropriate crop
selection and under-utilization due to lack of adequate irrigation. The
studies also showed that while 46 percent of farms are owned, 26 percent
of farrner-operators are share-tenants. Insecurity of tenure has been found
to be a major disincentive for carrying out farm improvements as tenants
feel that most of the benefits resulting from such improvements would
only accrue to the owners.
The lack of irrigation facilities has limited the farmers' choice of
agricultural crops. Rice, a staple food, is imported from neighboring
provinces and grown by farmers in the few areas with adequate water.
The average farm size of 2.5 ha also constrains farmers from venturing
into potentially high income-generating agricultural production activities.
4
Coastal Environment
Calancan Bay residents attribute the reduction in fish catch and
degradation of coastal habitats to dumping of mine tailings. The dumping
which had resulted in an 84-hectare causeway, had smothered coral reefs,
seagrasses, and even mangroves that were directly in the dumping area.
Over the years, however, waves and currents directly act on the causeway,
resulting in shifting and dissipation of the tailings substrate along a wider
area. For instance, mine tailings were also observed on the lower submerged
slopes of Hakupan Island. Sand shifting had also led to the death of
mangroves and other beach tree species planted along the causeway as
well as in adjacent coastal vicinities along the bay. *
Presently, Calancan Bay fishers report an'average catch of 2 kg per
day for about nine hours of fishing effort. SEARCA (1997) noted a 48
percent decrease in the volume of fish catch and a 42 percent decrease in
the average size of caught fish from 1988 to 1996. This deterioration in
- 12

17. the volume and quality of fish catch may be attributed to several factors-
the degradation of habitats, increased fishing effort by local and commercial
fishers, illegal fishing, and coastal pollution, among others. Commercial
fishers had also been observed to encroach in Calancan Bay, which is
entirely part of Sta. Cruz's municipal waters. Illegal activities such as
dynamite fishing and use of sodium cyanide to catch aquarium fish had
also been reported as still prevalent in the area.
Decreasing fish catch may also be attributed to mangrove deforestation
and conversion into fishponds and settlements. Mangrove trees are
increasingly becoming popular and convenient sources of fuelwood for
sale or home consumption, such that clearings are already observed in
some parts of the mangrove areas. Unsustainable fishpond practices such
as use of chemicals and abandonment without rehabilitation efforts also
undermine the ecological functions of the mangroves.
The presence of cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc in the
mine tailings raises the possibility of heavy metal contamination of man
through bio-magnification. While heavy metals in the water are already
within background levels (i.e., can no longer be detected by instruments
because of their low level), sediments still have elevated heavy metal
concentrations. Several fish species were also analyzed to have high
concentrations of cadmium and lead. This is therefore a strong concern
facing Calancan Bay communities, particularly the small fisherfolks who
are very much dependent on the bay's fishes for their subsistence and
survival.
Institutions
One of the most critical institutional issues that could facilitate the
implementation of a sustainable management plan for Calancan Bay is the
mandate and scope of the Calancan Bay Rehabilitation Program (CBRP).
The Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) should officially recognize the
urgent need for incorporating and addressing socioeconomic rehabilitation
concerns within the mandate of CBRP. Otherwise, CBRP will still be
operating with fettered hands, and conflicts between the Program and
other Calancan Bay stakeholders will not be resolved.

18. The high level of environmental awareness among various entities and
constituents of the bay is a good starting point for launching a concerted
effort for sustainably managing the bay. However, there remains a need
for all local government units, national agencies, nongovernment
organizations, and people's organizations to integrate their efforts and
combine resources to address pressing issues. Integral to this is the
strengthening of local capability to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate
research, management, and development programs.
Among local communities, there is an apparent aversion to cooperative
formation due to community members' negative experiences with failed
cooperatives. The socioeconomic and institutional studies showed that in
the past, cooperative formation was generally fund-driven and imposed
on the people, rather than based on their genuine needs and capacities.
Population
Socioeconomic environment
Farming and fishing are the major sources of livelihood among the
seven barangays covered by the project. Both, however, are in a critical
state, with agricultural yield and fish catch on steady precipitous decline.
The lack of supplemental livelihood options constrains households to stick
to already non-productive or non-profitable livelihood activities. On the
other hand, the stigma of failure experiences in cooperatives have led
communities to prefer household-based rather than cooperative-based
livelihood enterprises.
There have been several identified factors that contributed to the poor
performance of cooperatives and other similar organizations in the area.
'f'liese include: 1) the donor- or fund-driven formula for establishment; 2)
insufficient time for community organizing, thereby not allowing enough
Ijrcparatory activities to inculcate group values and shared responsibilities;
3 ) inadequacy of follow-up and monitoring activities; 4) weak leadership
coliipounded by uncooperative members; and 5) premature turnover of
~~csponsibilities the cooperativelorganization. Credit cooperatives have
to
:~lso heen largely unsuccessful because of poor loan repayment rates,
; ~ t ~ r i l ~ tto cthe dole-out mentality of the people, the absence of checks
c l
; I I I ~Ix~lnnccs,and i~lcl'lectiveinstitutionalization and implementation of
I ) U I : I I ~ ics ; I I I ~ I ~ ~ ~;~nclregulations.
l c s
14

19. The lack of effective marketing system for Calancan 13ay products is
also one of the main reasons for the continued dependence of the
communities on marginal farm production and fish harvesting. New
livelihood opportunities had been introduced to the communities in the
past, but market linkages and support services were not provided. After
production, communities did not know where or how to dispose of their
produce. Identifying livelihood technologies that are appropriate to the
area and effectively linking them with the market is a major concern that
should be integrally addressed by IiveIihood development training programs
and advocates.
Lack of gender concerns is also evident, particularly in training
activities and/or skills enhancement programs for which male household
heads are automatically tapped. Schedules and timing of training activities
also do not consider the constraints faced by the trainees, particularly
women.
Health Environment
The declaration of Barangays Ipil, Botilao, and Kamandugan as calamity
areas for health reason brings to the fore the critical nature of the health
issues in Calancan Bay. A study by the Department of Health (DOH)
indicated an elevated blood mercury level among purposively selected
school children in said barangays. The issue now is to assess the possible
contamination within the entire population of Sta. Cruz, possibly through
random sampling. While this may be a costly undertaking, it is necessary
to determine the seriousness and range of contamination.
The daily dependence of Calancan Bay communities on local fishes
for food also poses health risks through bio-magnification of the heavy
metals. Some fish species have been analyzed to contain little traces of
heavy metals. Information and education campaigns with regard to
minimizing exposure to heavy metals in food items may lower the health
risks of local communities.

20. . INTEGRATION OF ISSUES, CONSTRAINTS,
and OPPORTUNITIESISTRAIEGIES
The persistent problem of low income among Calancan Bay residents
is therefore a consequence of complex and interacting natural and man-
made pressures, as shown in the problem network (Fig. 4). Man-induced
forces are more numerous and varied as compared to natural pressures
such as difficult water and rocky soil conditions.
In general, the resources and habitats in the area have been badly
degraded owing to three major causes: deforestation, poor and destructive
farming practices in the uplands, and the coastal dumping of mine tailings.
The first two may have been a consequence of desperation among local
residents to provide for household subsistence, but the latter is a result of
industrial activities that failed to consider potential environmental impacts.
Population and economic pressures continued to aggravate the situation as
marginalized farmers and fishers continued to explore the remaining forests
for fuelwood, timber and construction materials. On the other hand,
fisheries continued to deteriorate due to illegal fishing (e.g., use of
dynamites, sodium cyanides). The increasing population consequently
resulted in increased harvesting effort both upland and coastal resources.
The mangroves have also not been spared too. Clear-cutting of stands for
charcoal production have been observed as well as reported by community
residents. The degradation of the area's forest resources is indicated by the
reported monkey infestation of farms adjoining the remaining forest patches.
Being territorial entities, monkeys would only leave their territory when
their natural food sources have been badly depleted. Hence, their attacks
on coconut farms and fruit trees directly imply that their natural habitats
have been badly degraded and that they may already be facing starvation.
The El Niiio phenomenon aggravates this problem.
Faced with these problems, local communities find very few alternatives
due to apparent lack of technical assistance from national and local
government agencies. The presence of CBRP, which has the potential to
bring competent technical, logistical, and facilitative human and capital
resources to the area, has not been fully exploited. Hence, the people
continue to be heavily dependent on traditional farming practices that
degrade the resources,with low productivity, and low profitability. As a

22. colnlnon resource, Calancan Bay continued to be subjected to intense
I'idiing activities, both legal and illegal, such that in 1996, the quantity
;~nd quality of fish catch have severely declined by 48 percent and 42
pcrpcent, respectively in only eight years. Poor market information and
~llarket channels further contribute to the disadvantaged situation of local
producers. On the other hand, the few livelihood training activities
conducted in the area have largely been unsuccessful, as the training
programs missed a critical component of enterprise development, that is
market information and linkages. There was also an apparent oversight
with regard to the role of women in livelihood activities, as often only men
invited to participate in training activities, or, if women were invited, the
schedules did not consider the women's own household functions and
schedules.
Inadequate law enforcement has encouraged the proliferation of
activities such as illegal fishing, mangrove clearing, illegal logging, and
the like. Commercial fishers have been observed to encroach regularly on
lilunicipal waters without being apprehended. Likewise, dynamite fishing
and the use of sodium cyanide have been reported as regular practices in
the bay. Without effective control measures, these illegal activities will
undermine any rehabilitation andlor management efforts in the bay.
Local institutions such as the local government units (i.e., provincial,
municipal, barangay), people's organizations, national government agencies,
and academic institutions based in the area have been found to need further
technical training and skills enhancement to make them effective partners
in sustainable resource management. Institutional inadequacies have been
evaluated in terms of number of personnel, technical knowledge, and
logistical support (e.g., equipment, materials, funds). Within the
communities, there is also an aversion to cooperative formation as channels
for livelihood introduction and community development due to the stigma
brought about by failed cooperatives in the area.
Infrastructure is generally inadequate, which also limits the productive
and income potential in the area. Water supply is very limited, particularly
during summer months, and electricity has still to reach five of the seven
barangays covered by the project. The barangay road networks are generally
of limestone and/or gravel type, with limited public transportation. Modern
comnlunications networks are virtually non-existent.

23. This network ot' problems therefore poses a I>igchallcngc to Ihc local
government units, communities, and all stakeholders of Calancan Bay. In
the past, institutional conflicts and lack of adequate conmunication between
and among involved parties have further contributed to existing problems,
instead of resolving them. While the past events have indeed brought about
many of the existing issues, efforts now must be directed at pro-active,
concerted action among all sectors to address these concerns. By looking
forward instead of dwelling on the past, efforts will be better guided, and
potential benefits may actually be realized, enjoyed and shared by all sectors.
Figure 5 presents the summary of interrelationships between population,
resource, institution, and technology issues and how they were addressed
based on project findings, and technical knowledge, and experiences of
the SEARCA team.
Ripples of Hope Over Troubled Waters:
The Integrated Area Management Plan for
Calancan Bay
In facilitating the development of the plan, SEARCA espoused the
concept of community-based resource management, a highly participatory
resource planning and management approach anchored on a human
ecological perspective. In order to address the biophysical, socioeconomic,
and politico-administrative issues, a multidisciplinary team composed of
experts in environmental planning, agriculture, forestry, aquaticlfishery,
socioeconomic (gender and agro-industry/livelihood), hydrology,
institution/policy, wildlife, health, and eco-tourism was formed. The
management plan covers the seven barangays (Botilao, Dating Bayan, Ipil,
Kamandugan, Kalangkang, Kasily, and San Isidro) of Sta. Cruz,
Marinduque which were identified as heavily affected by the mine tailings
dumping.
IAMP envisions Calancan Bay as a coastal environment characterized
by ecological soundness, improved economic well being, and an active
community and local government involved in sustainable development
efforts. The main goal of IAMP for Calancan Bay con~munities, therefore,
is to provide a framework that will be used as guide for decision- and
policymakers, particularly the local government units, to improve the quality
of life through con~munity-based,sustainable resource management
strategies.

25. Eco-tourism cum enterprise development is identified us the ovemll
strategy for the sustainable utilization and management of Calancan
Bay. This scheme has been identified for the following reasons: 1) Calancan
Bay has natural attractions that should be preserved while, at the same
time, provide economic returns; and 2) dependence on Calancan Bay
fisheries for food and subsistence may continue to pose health risks to
local communities because of the possible bio-magnification effects of
heavy metals. The rationale, therefore, is to provide supplemental livelihood
activities, that is, livelihood options that will not totally withdraw local
communities from fishery activities, but provide additional income for
food and other household needs. It is hoped that this exposure to other
livelihood activities will provide the motivation for communities to decide
on their own, decide to shift occupations and engage in other profitable
and sustainable livelihood activities.
The baseline environmental profiling activities in Calancan Bay revealed
the existence of natural habitats and attractions that have high potentials
for eco-tourism development. Some of these attractions are, in fact, already
popular and regularly receive local and foreign tourists. Ironically, this
unregulated tourism is, at present, endangering the integrity of these
attractions. Yearly, the large number of visitors force the natural inhabitants
(e,g., pythons') of Bathala Caves to abandon their habitats during some
parts of the year. Waste disposal, vandalism, and damage to natural
structures are also quite common. This is very unfortunate, considering
the ecological value and economic potential that can be derived from the
establislunent of sustairiable management mechanisms for these attractions.
Figure 6 locates the areas that have eco-tour potentials within Calancan
Bay. These are the natural sites that should be preserved and managed
and, at the same time provide income support to the local government
units and to the communities. With proper management, these eco-tour
areas and activities are expected to be financially sustainable such that its
future projects and activities will be financed out of its own earnings.
Complementing these projects are other livelihood and human resource
development activities that aim to empower local communities and
governing bodies, and improve their quality of life. Institutional
arrangements and structures must also be established to implement and
facilitate the plan. In particular, linkages and networking between and

27. among relevant government agencies, nongovernment organizations,
people's organizations, and the businesslprivate sector, are critical in the
attainment of the goals of this plan.
Eco-tour Areas and Projects
The mine tailings causeway has the potential to address the three-fold
objective of eco-tourism: 1) its fine, sandy, shoreline substrate allows
swimming and other recreational beach activities; 2) it provides a staging
or launching point for water sports activities that are appropriate for the
bay's calm waters; and 3) it is an educational site, a natural laboratory by
which the impact of industrial activities on the natural environment and
man's effort to rehabilitate a degraded ecosystem are very much evident.
The causeway, however, is not meant to have permanent structures, based
on the observed constant modifications on its landscape, particularly at
the seaward end which is exposed to wave and wind action. It is therefore
recommended that only temporary structures be constructed in the
causeway.
CBRP's causeway rehabilitation projects showed that some tree species
could survive and proliferate in mine tailings substrate. Opening the
causeway at this point for agriculture, as proposed by some LGU officials,
does not seem feasible, owing to the substrate type (i.e., mine tailings)
which is predominantly sandy in composition. Furthermore, wave action
has caused extensive erosion/slumping of the causeway, thus narrowing
some sections that might ultimately create a partition along the causeway.
Beach activities and water sports seem to be viable activities in
Calancan Bay. Since the CBRP began its rehabilitation efforts, "natural"
swimming areas have evolved within the causeway, these are areas where
local residents of Sta. Cruz have picnics, swim, and even camp out, on
weekends. During summer months particularly during the Lenten season,
the causeway has become a very popular beach area. These swimming
areas may be further enhanced through the construction of huts and cottages,
which could be rented by tourists at a minimal fee. The wide beach area of
the causeway may also scrvc as venue for sports activities such as beach
volleyball.

28. 'I'lic clear and calm waters of Calancan Bay also offer potentials for
v;~lcr sporls such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and jet-skiing, among
o~liers.'l'he resource and ecological assessment conducted in the bay
rcvc:~lcdseveral areas that are good spots for snorkeling and scuba diving
I u a u s e of their extensive coral reef and the presence of a variety of fish
ywcies. The causeway can serve as launching area for these activities.
Mooring stations/posts for boats must be established along the designated
xiiorkeling/diving spots to avoid dropping anchors and prevent damage to
rllc reef. The bay has also scientific and educational value for students.
Bathala Caves, Busay Falls, and mangrove forests of the bay can
;~lso incorporated in the Calancan Bay eco-tourism package.
be
Bathala Caves is a network of seven caves in which only four caves
have been explored, one of which features an underground river. Firm
guidelines must be established to ensure that tourists going in the caves
will not disturb the natural fauna and flora in the area, particularly the
pythons, bats, and birds that inhabit the caves. Presently, some parts of
the caves have already lost their natural beauty and inhabitants due to
unregulated human intrusion, vandalism, graffiti on cave walls, scattered
wastes, and limestone quarrying. The Bathala Caves are privately-owned,
and the owners have expressed interest in including them within an
integrated eco-tour program encompassing the entire bay. As a first step,
therefore, a rapid cave resource assessment (CRA) will have to be
conducted, consistent with the provisions of Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order (DAO) 94-04, which
established and provided the guidelines for a national Cave Management
and Conservation Program (CMCP). The objectives of the CRA will be
to inventory, classify, and document in general terms the biologic, geologic,
hydrologic, paleontological, archaeological, and historic resources
associated with individual caves. While SEARCA had conducted some
initial assessments of the cave, this was limited to a cursory assessment of
the faunal and geologic characteristics of four caves. Results of the CRA
will be the basis for establishing guidelines for cave tours.
To give the tourists a glimpse and understanding of the ecological
functions of mangroves and the biodiversity it harbors, board or canopy
walks may be constructed along the mangrove forests of the bay. The
board walks will feature the various mangrove species, the faunal inhabitants,

29. the clamaged poslioils ol'lhc hsest, and Lllc areas that li:~vcIxxn rcllal~ilil;~lctl
through comniunily reforestation efforts. The extensive mangrove li~sesls
of Barangay Kalangkang and Kamandugan will be the sites of the
boardwalks.
Busay Falls, on the other hand, is famous for its clear water cascading
through-large boulders smoothened by water action. A favorite picnic area,
the Busay Falls, however, has been slowly losing its natural grandeur,
intermittently drying during the summer season, owing to the rapid
deforestation of the watershed. A critical source of drinking water of the
community, the Busay Falls also serves as laundry area and source of
irrigation water. With proper education and community action, restoring
the functions and beauty of the Busay Falls will not be a difficult objective.
These proposed eco-tour sites should be packaged in an integrated
manner, such that tours will be conducted in an orderly, regulated, and
coordinated way. Marinduque still boasts of other tourist attractions such
as the Elephant Island, the Boac beaches, and the world famous Moriones
Festival which is staged annually during the Lenten season. As the Moriones
is held in all five towns of Marinduque, it is also during this time when
Bathala Caves and Calancan Bay's beaches are deluged by visitors. The
eco-tour package of Calancan Bay must therefore also be integrated with
the other attractions in Marinduque. The local government units of
Sta. Cruz should work with the Department of Tourism (DOT) toward this
end.
Along this eco-tourism strategy is a waste rnanagerrierlt program for
the bay. This program will be developed to properly address the waste
problem that may arise as a result of the influx of tourists as well as the
construction and operation of the different facilities of the eco-tourism
projects. Project personnel and community members will be given
appropriate training in the different aspects of waste management including
minimization, recyclingireuse, and alternative disposal mechanisms.
For wastewater that will be generated from eco-tour facilities, especially
near the bay, water-tight septic vaults should be provided for each facility,
and discharge of wastewater into the bay will not be allowed. Wastewater
from the septic vaults will be withdrawn by a local service utility for
proper disposal. If there is no local utility that can provide such service, a

30. wwtcwaler treatinent facility will have to be established to further treat the
wastewater from the vaults until such are safe for land application or reuse.
/Lstablishment of a Wildlife Sanctuary
The remaining patches of forests in Brgy. Dating Bayan, with an area
of' 124.69 ha, are the remaining refuge of monkeys, birds, snakes, and
other wildlife of Calancan Bay, many of which have been found to be
endemic in the area. Preserving these faunal diversity necessitates the
protection of the remaining forest stands in the area to prevent the occurrence
of incidences such as monkey attacks on crops as well as to improve the
water supply in the area.
A wildlife sanctuary implies that its covered area will have to be free
from any extractive human activities. Therefore, no logging, fuelwood
gathering, harvesting, agriculture, and the like will be allowed in the
sanctuary. Nature appreciation trips may be allowed as part of the overall
eco-tourism program for Calancan Bay.
Coastal Resources Management (CRM) Projects
The resources of Calancan Bay are seriously threatened by illegal
fishing activities, siltation, fishing pressure, and habitat destruction, among
others. The rehabilitation strategies conducted under CBRP have shown
that the activities were generally successful in reviving biological growth
and production in the near-shore areas. Hopefully, sustained support to
this recovery process will lead to biological succession and ultimately to a
climax community. Since some communities were already on their way to
recovery (e.g., seagrass beds), there is still a need to further enhance
coral growth through the provision of stable substrates (SEARCA 1996).
This highlights the importance of the availability of suitable areas for larval
attachment and eventual colonization. Inherent in the assumption is the
notion that the larvae are present. Monitoring of the impact of rehabilitation
strategies will be done as well as some studies that will complement the
rehabilitation.
The provision of artificial reefs (ARs), are necessary for attachment
of coral planulae (larvae). These ARs must be deployed in suitable locations
within Calancan Bay considering that the near-shore community has been
buried under mine tailings, the loose materials are not suitable for larval
26

31. altacliment and colonization. Ilowcver, approprialc inslilutional
arrangements must be established to ensure that ARs do not serve as mcrc
fish aggregating devices.
There were potential sites in the bay identified for the establishment
of fish sanctuaries. These identified sites were characterized as high in
species richness and high in abundance of both fish and coral species.
Fish sanctuaries are areas in a marine environment that is protected
from any form of exploitation, particularly fishing. The objective of
establishing fish sanctuaries is to maintain sufficient gene pool reserves of
fish and other marine organisms in the area. These areas will provide a
refuge for fish to spawn and mature. The maintenance of a critical spawning
stock biomass of fish and other organisms is necessary to ensure constant
supply of larval recruits that will seed adjacent fished areas within the bay.
In addition, these areas can serve educational purposes as well as
recreational activities.
Within the marine sanctuary, the local government units and the
community may decide the forms of management that they would like to
institute to ensure the sustainable utilization of the bay's coastal resources.
The sanctuaries will be free from extractive activities, but non-extractive
activities such as snorkeling and diving may be allowed. Zones may be
delineated for various educational and eco-tourism activities.
Unless strong institutional and community support is provided, a marine
sanctuary will not be successful. Wjthin the communities, there must be
a clear understanding of the objectives, the needs for, and benefits from
the establishment of such marine sanctuaries. The initial stages in
establishing marine sanctuaries will be demanding and difficult because it
will require high profile monitoring and wide information awareness
campaigns, and often conflict with other sectors of the community.
However, experience from other areas have shown that communities have
become used to the idea of a sanctuary after a while, and begin to better
appreciate its value once fishery benefits (e.g., increased harvest) have
been observed.
Support activities such as monitoring and research were proposed to
be conducted. To assess the impacts of the rehabilitation effort, artificial
substrates, fish sanctuary, and permanent observation sites in natural reefs;
27

32. I'ish landing; and heavy metal levels in fishes and the sediment will have to
Ilc conducted. The results will be used to strengthen or modify the
p~wcribed CRMP activities.
Through research, rehabilitation of Calancan Bay will be enhanced. It
1 necessary to better understand key biological, ecological, and fishery
s
dynamics of the various marine resources in the area. Initially, life history
characteristics (e.g. sexual patterns, spawning season and behavior, age
;~nd size at first sexual maturity, age structures) of important reef fish
species must be determined. If we are to develop an industry that is based
o n the exploitation of this fishery resources, it is imperative that these key
aspects are better understood.
Water Resources Development Projects
Water resources development has been identified as a critical need in
the area, where water supply even for domestic uses alone is very limited.
The major water resources projects that are proposed for the area include
well and spring developnlent as well as water impoundment. Well and
spring development will include storage tank construction and pipe
installation. The water impoundment projects will be concentrated on the
existing creeks of each barangay. Impoundments are expected to serve as
additional source of water for other domestic and agricultural needs as
well as for enhancement of the groundwater recharge.
Livelihood Activities
SEARCA's studies showed that the majority of households in the seven
barangays are heavily dependent on fishing and farming for their food and
livelihood. The degradation of Calancan Bay's resources and natural habitats
had therefore further increased the level of desperation among Calancan
Bay communities, as fish catch has declined to about 2 kglday, and
agricultural production that is mostly based on coconut became seriously
constrained by non-productive trees or poor soil. The presence of heavy
nietals in sediments near the causeway also poses the risk of contaminatioq
through bio-magnification.
The livelihood activities proposed in this plan are the result of
consultations with local communities and the validation activities conducted

33. by the SEAKCA team. It must be noted that these livelihood enlerpsiscs
are perceived to be "supplemental, " rather than "alternative, " to thc
communities' existing livelihoods. This is to address the concern of some
local fisherfolks who perceive the term "alternative livelihoods" negatively
as taking small fishers off from fishing and relinquishing the entire fishery
resources to commercial fishers.
The identification of livelihood activities was conducted in a manner
which allowed barangay representatives to pre-identify their desired
livelihood options. During the consultation, each barangay was asked to
identify the following: 1) the strategies and projects which from their
perception will be applicable andlor desirable in their area; 2) the location
of these strategies and/or projects within the barangay; 3) the area that
will be covered, where possible; 4) the relevant institutions/organizations
that will be involved; and 5) the implementation schedule, which denotes
the level of priority of the various projects.
SEARCA project team members who were present during consultation
meetings provided technical assistance to the different barangaydgroups.
This process resulted to the identification of livelihood projects for the
seven barangays, which were classified in terms of availability in the
barangays, level of impact (i.e., market potential, technical/resource
matching/suitability, current and potential volume) and level of
intervention required (i.e., high, medium, or low). Intervention refers
to technology adoption, training, and marketing support as provided by
both local government and private sector initiatives.
For the level of intervention, a low rating implies a need for minor
intervention to improve existing livelihood; medium implies that existing
or introductory enterprises need moderate intervention; and high if existing
enterprises need major intervention or if introduction of such requires
moderate intervention. This analytical screening process enabled the
identification of major projects preferred by the majority of the barangays.
These are coconut oil processing, banana marketing, aquarium fish
marketing, nursery, tamarind candy processing, and arrowroot production
and processing.

34. Conclusions
In support of the passion of the community to sail through troubled
waters, SEARCA conducted a comprehensive research of the affected
communities of Calancan Bay and developed an Integrated Area
Management Plan (IAMP) for the bay. Despite the presence of mine tailings,
the ecological and economic potential of the area was identified to provide
the spark to enliven the people's dreams of having a coastal environment
characterized by ecological soundness, improved economic well-being,
and an active community and local government in sustainable development
efforts.
A number of lessons may be drawn from the Calancan Bay experience
for the benefit of the scientific community, policymakers and/or planners,
the local community, and other similar integrated coastal resource
management efforts. Using the human ecological perspective, the following
are worth looking into:
8 Evaluate and empower the community. Planning for any particular
resource must always consider the actors and sectors that will
influence the status and health of the resource. Efforts must be
directed in identifying individuals and/or groups who are willing to
take the lead in protecting their resource. With the CBRM approach
that SEARCA has adopted in resource planning and management
for Calancan Bay, the people were given the chance to take the lead
role in designing the management plan. This approach implies long-
term and genuine commitment among stakeholders in protecting
their resource as indicated in the plan. Bu't commitment does not
solely answer the sustainable management of the bay, the people
must be empowered and acquire the necessary skills and knowledge
in promoting sustainable management of the bay.
8 Manage the resources sustainably. The IAMP for Calancan Bay
aims to provide a framework that will be used as guide for decision-
and policymakers, particularly the local government units, to improve
the quality of life through community-based, sustainable resource
management strategies. In designing the plan, the potential and
limitations of the Calancan Bay resource were identified to determine
the optimum benefits that can be acquired from its limited natural

35. base, and at the salne time, minimizing resource and environmentnl
degradation by regulating the use of its resources over time. Resolving
the issue of jurisdiction/ownership and responsibility over the
resources is a pre-condition for effective resource management.
This is particularly significant with respect to the development and
management of the causeway.
Due to budget limitations in the development of an IAMP for
Calancan Bay, only the affected barangays of the mine tailings
dumping were included in the plan. It is therefore suggested that a
management plan for all the communities of Calancan Bay be
developed in order to gain bay-wide commitment in protecting and
enhancing the bay's resources. This opens windows for more research
and collaboration between and among the local government units
(LGUs) of Marinduque and research institutions in incorporating
all the Calancan Bay communities in the plan, and in improving the
planning strategies identified for the affected communities as well.
Re-engineer institutions for effective governance. Local institutions
such as the local government units (i.e., provincial, municipal,
barangay), people's organizations, national government agencies,
and academic institutions based in the project area have been found
to need further technical training and skills enhancement to make
them effective partners in sustainable resource management.
Institutional inadequacies have been evaluated in terms of number
of personnel, technical knowledge, and logistical support (e.g.,
equipment, materials, funds). Within the communities, there is also
an aversion to cooperative formation as channels for livelihood
introduction and community development due to the stigma brought
about by failed cooperatives in the area.
Innovate and apply appropriate technology. There have been various
technologies identified in the IAMP for livelihood purposes and for
the rehabilitation and protection of Calancan Bay. However,
technological applications must be accompanied by appropriate
regulations to ensure that the integrity of the bay and its resources
are maintained.
Amid the constraints and difficulties, such as resource degradation,
low fish' catch, lack of supplemental sources of income, and unsuccessful
31

36. livcliliood ventures, there remain ripples of hope for the sustainable
~ii;~liagementCalancan Bay. The IAMP that evolved through active efforts
of
01' the community and other stakeholders indicate tremendous opportunities
;IIKI challenges. Transforming ripples of hopes into waves of collective
xtions requires no less than the commitment of various sectors. A coastal
~~nvironment characterized by ecological soundness, improved economic
wcll-being, and an active commullity and local governments involved in
sr~stainable development efforts is attainable. This publication is a modest
;I 11d small "ripple" toward this end.
References
( ' h a , T.E. and L.F. Scura (eds). 1992. Integrative Framework and Methods
for Coastal Area Management. ICLARM Conference Proceedings 37.
I ;ood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 1997.
Report of the Workshop on Population Characteristics and Change in
Coastal Fishing Communities. Madras, India.
Ikllizar, F.P., Jr. 1993. Community-Based Resource Management:
Perspective, Experiences, and Policy Issues. ERMP, IESAM, UPLB.
I'hilippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). Undated.
Philippine Agenda 21: A National Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
SEAMEO SEARCA and Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) . 1998. Integrated Area Management Plan for
Calancan Bay. SEARCA, College, Laguna.
SEAMEO SEARCA and DENR. 1998. Environmental Profile of Calancan
Bay. SEARCA, College, Laguna.

37. PRODUCTION STAFF
Production Coordinator:
Leah Lyn D. Domingo
Layout Staff:
Ayrin D. Cosico
Nicasio Q. lmatong
Adviser:
Dr. Dioko Suprapto