Assessment of the Mangrove Rehabilitation Project in Sitio Bongkol-Bongkol, Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan

Abstract

The 409.42-hectare Adopt-A-Mangrove (AMA) Rehabilitation Project of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) and DENR-MIMAROPA is part of the bigger carbon sink initiative of DENR and environmental compliance of CBNC. The study was conducted on the part of AMA adjacent to Sitio Bongkol Bongkol with an area of 15 hectares. The aim of the study was to determine the current state of mangroves in Sitio Bongkol Bongkol and identify threats that could jeopardize the success of the AMA project. The mangrove and plant diversity identification used in the study was taken from the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) fieldwork of Gaia South, Inc., with the researcher as part of the fieldwork team, while data on socio-economic factors were gathered through survey questionnaires and interviews. The results of the study showed three (3) mangrove species in Sitio Bongkol-Bongkol namely; Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal, and Rhizophora apiculata being the dominant species. The data analyzed showed that education, occupation, income, and distance of residents from mangroves influenced the communities’ knowledge on mangroves. In addition, the result of the interviews showed the lack of knowledge of the Indigenous people of Sitio Bongkol-Bongkol in planting and taking care of mangroves; and that the inadequate support of other stakeholders and the absence of community involvement could delay the project implementation. The study concluded that creating awareness and active participation of nearby inhabitants were also critical. Therefore, Information, education, and communication about the benefits of nurturing mangroves must be intensified. Moreover, the support and intervention by appropriate government agencies and entities are equally important. The outcome of the study could help evaluate the state of the mangrove and effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts, the involvement of appropriate agencies for value-added livelihood support with the end view of reducing the extraction of raw mangrove materials, and the participation of capable locals in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the project.