Community-Based Mangrove Rehabilitation: The Case of Calatagan Mangrove Park- Marine Protected Area, Batangas, Philippines

Abstract

Mangroves support several forms of life, including terrestrial animals, marine animals and humans by providing direct benefits like a source of food and indirect benefits like a buffer against disasters and coastal protection. Community-based mangrove rehabilitation strengthening the benefits that can be availed by the community from mangrove forests for their well-being. This study mainly aimed to evaluate the Community-based Mangrove Rehabilitation in Quilitisan, Calatagan Mangrove Park- Marine Protected Area, Batangas. Specifically, described the progress of mangrove rehabilitation, assessed the major issues and concerns in Mangrove Rehabilitation, identified the best practices and strategies in Mangrove Rehabilitation, and identified the key considerations in mangrove rehabilitation in terms of policy and institution, scientific and ecological preferences, participatory approaches. This study utilized qualitative criteria which answered using Key Informant Interviews (KII). Results stated that through the cooperation of government agencies, non-government organizations and the local community through people’s organization (PO), PALITAKAN (Pro Mangrove Alliance Implementing Team as Arm Quilitisan Advocate of Nature), the mangroves planted to rehabilitate the area and survived after seven years with 80% survival rate. The community is currently getting natural resources for both household and commercial uses and uses the area for ecotourism activities. However, the PO faces issues and concerns with regard to management. In addition, there are some best practices in planting, monitoring, management and livelihood activities and some key considerations in rehabilitation in terms of policy and institution, scientific and ecological preferences, participatory approaches.