Towards Sustainability: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices on the Cancabato Bay Mangrove Rehabilitation Project Among the Residents of Brgy. Burayan, Tacloban City

Abstract

Deforestation and pollution are two of the major threats to mangroves in the country. To protect the diminishing mangrove forests, Community-Based Forest Management Program (CBFM) was adopted in 1995 by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR). In line with this national strategy, the City ENRO of Tacloban came up with the Cancabato Bay Mangrove Rehabilitation Project which aims to promote a well-balanced mangrove ecosystem and improve the socio-economic condition of the community.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of CENRO’s Mangrove Rehabilitation Project’s IEC in improving the knowledge, attitude, and practice on mangrove rehabilitation among the residents of Brgy. Burayan, Tacloban City. It tried to answer the following questions: 1. What is the socio-economic and demographic profile of the residents? 2. What is the profile of the residents in terms of the following factors: Knowledge level, Attitude level, Practice level towards the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project? 3. Is there a significant relationship between the socio-economic and demographic profile of the residents, and the resident factor?

The locale of this study is the pilot barangay of the CENRO’s Cancabato Bay Mangrove Rehabilitation Project. 130 respondents form the barangay were made as samples. This study used the one-shot survey design to determine the effectiveness of the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project’s IEC among the residents of Brgy. Burayan, Tacloban City.

Based on the specific aims mentioned, the findings of the study can be briefly summarized as follows (1) On the knowledge level, the respondents living along the coastal area were more knowledgeable about the mangrove rehabilitation project than those living from the coastal area. (2) The respondents showed a favorable attitude towards mangrove rehabilitations. (3) On the practice level, results showed a low percentage of participation among the respondents.

Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations are proposed which if implemented could help design the project’s IEC program: (1) A full demographic profile of the area should be made before the IEC is designed. The IEC material should be purely designed for this community which has a different demographics from that of a fishing village. (2) The IEC should emphasize not just the livelihood potential of mangrove rehabilitation, but also its advantages of protecting the community from natural forces. (3) A sustained IEC program should be designed and implemented, by phases (with the project) and not only at the beginning. (4) An ordinance for a marine eco-park should be made by the barangay, to make collecting entrance fees and other fines legal. This will also allow the barangay to enforce mangrove cutting as illegal. (5) And finally, a network of agencies should be formed to make the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project effective. A network among the Tourism office, DECS, CENRO, Barangay, Schools, NGOS, LGU who can be supportive of the project should be created.