Integrated Approach to Coastal Zone Management in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

Abstract

Coastal zone management requires an understanding of the complex milieu of interactions and activities taking place in an environmental system. Man is beginning to recognize that the old method of dealing with individual issues and problems as single fragment of a whole ecosystem is not enough. This paper tries to deal with the integrated manner in carrying out effectively the management of the coastal zone in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro by the Man and the Biosphere Interagency Committee on Ecological Studies. To attain the objective of the project, the different agencies monitor, identify, observe, investigate various natural and physical parameters contributing to the ecological balance and study the rational use of the resources along the coastal zone. Result of the study showed that although such factors as land use practices of shifting cultivation (kaingin), human attitude towards forest and its resources, and continuous increase in population and migration of people were observed, such pressure on lands has not greatly affected the Puerto Galera coastal zone resources.