CHMSC-BFAR Community Based Environmental Conservation

Abstract

In 2012, The Philippine National Aquasilviculture Project (PNAP) was forged and formally launched by the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DABFAR). To implement the PNAP, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was executed by and between BFAR and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on December 16, 2011. The study was conducted to assess the status and development of the PNAP program implemented in Southern Negros, at four (4) Municipalities and two (2) Cities. The BFAR downloaded a total fund amounting Php 10,148,812.50 for the four (4) phases of the program wherein, the Php 6,422,762.5 was spent for resource rehabilitation (mangrove planting); Php 845,000.00 for Aquasilviculture; Php 1,140,000.00 for Multi-species hatchery and Php 1,741,050.00 for administrative costs. The total paid mangrove propagules planted in Southern Negros was 978,000 with 30% buffer with a total of 1,144,260 survived propagules planted in 130.4 hectares of coastal land in Southern Negros and commensurate 673 direct beneficiaries. The 274 fisherfolk beneficiaries augmented income from Aquasilviculture project while a total of 1,284 berried wild bluecrab which estimated to produce up to 2 million eggs have been reared in Multi-species hatchery. A conservative estimate of 1% survival in natural habitat under natural conditions represented the contribution of the project for the beleaguered bluecrab capture fisheries. The beneficiaries really appreciate the efforts made by CHMSC-Binalbagan as program implementer based on their responses on the given important factors of service delivery to the community.