Coastal Community Perceptions and Management Strategies Towards The Coastal and Marine Resources of Ipil and Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay
Coastal Community Perceptions and Management Strategies Towards The Coastal and Marine Resources of Ipil and Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay
2022
RESEARCH
RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS
1
Environmental Science Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Mindanao State University-
Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Tibanga Iligan City, Philippines
2
Faculty, Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry and Environmental Studies,
Western Mindanao State University, San Ramon Campus, Talisayan, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Key words: Coastal community perceptions, Law enforcement, Community development, Management
strategies, Coastal and marine resources
Abstract
This study was conducted to assess the perception and management strategies of coastal communities towards
the coastal and marine resources of Ipil and Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay. With the use of survey
questionnaire, a total of 45 respondents from the coastal community of Ipil and Tungawan participated in the
study. Most of the respondents in the study practice fishing and most of them have relied 76-100% of their family
income in in this activity. Based on the study conducted, all of the residents in the coastal community have
participated in the management strategies which were implemented through law enforcement and community
development activities. Ipil focuses on providing an incentive based approach among its residents while
Tungawan focuses on strengthening its law enforcement while coordinating with other government agencies that
requires the residents to join the community development activities. Respondents of the study described the
condition of coastal and marine resources upon their arrival in the area, were in deteriorating state and has
improved at present. With the current government efforts most of the respondents were hopeful and thus,
perceived that the resources would improve in the coming 5, 10 to 15 years. Moreover, a study that focuses on the
socioeconomic effect of this management strategies was therefore recommended for future researchers.
*Corresponding Author: Jay Ann S. Tambac jayann.tambac@g.msuiit.edu.ph
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With this, an Integrated Coastal Management must The result of the assessment on the perception of the
be carried out simultaneously which in turn creates local communities in the coastal and marine
social benefit that its success lies in the gradual shift resources may help the local government units and
from a fragmented to an integrated approach with the law enforcement agencies to foresee the future status
contribution of relevant stakeholders (Ehler & Basta, of these resources based on their current actions such
1993). Public participation inputs from the fishing as law implementation and community development
community regarding regulations, visual census and activities to protect these resources.
interviews were proven to be useful and effective to
assess the short-term effectiveness of the This study was conducted to assess the coastal
implemented management actions (Ferriera & community participation in the management of
Marques, 2015). As stated by Gabela-Flores & coastal and marine resources in the municipality of
Diedrich (2021), people’s trust in leaders were Ipil and Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay. Specifically,
influenced by the perceived benefits of community- this was conducted to:
based Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) wherein people 1. assess the strategies focused in the coastal and
are likely to trust leaders who share their views. The marine resource management of Ipil and Tungawan;
success of these strategies are often predicted on local 2. evaluate the coastal communities’ participation in
support which is strongly influenced by perceptions of the management of coastal and marine resources of
local communities (Bennett & Dearden, 2014). Ipil and Tungawan; and
3. determine coastal communities’ perception in the
Buluan island marine sanctuary in Ipil and Bangaan coastal and marine resources of Ipil and Tungawan.
island marine sanctuary in Tungawan were two of the
locally declared marine protected areas in the province Materials and methods
of Zamboanga Sibugay. With this, management plans Research Locale
to protect its marine resources were initially crafted The municipality of Ipil (Fig. 1.) is one of the coastal
and implemented by the Local Government Units to municipalities in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay
protect its resources. However, coastal community and serves as the provincial capital. It has a total land
participation in these management strategies were area of 241.60 square kilometers or 93.28 square
assessed after the plan was implemented. With these, a miles which constitutes 6.7% of Zamboanga Sibugay's
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total area. Its population, as of the 2015 census was Within its sanctuary lies the 17-hectare hilly forested
74,656 which represent 11.79% of the total population area with unique rock formation and white sandy
of Zamboanga Sibugay or 2.06%of the overall beaches ideal for eco-tourism. Valuable resources on
population of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region the island were commercially valuable fishes (Lapu-
(PhilAtlas, 2020). Based on the 2020 record of the lapu, Mantis, Talakitok, and Maming), Corals
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (Montipora, Acropora, Porites, and Fungia),
Office, one of the three locally declared marine endangered species of whales, sea turtles, and manta
protected areas in the municipality of Ipil is the rays were also observed, and rich algae of different
Buluan Island Marine Sanctuary. It rests 2.63 km species and seagrass beds. Bangaan Island is also the
southwest of the mainland and is the westernmost nesting site of marine turtles, Tabon birds, and other
barangay of the municipality of Ipil, Zamboanga wildlife (MSN, 2020 (unpublished)).
Sibugay. Established in 2004 then passed as
Municipal Fisheries thru Ordinance No. 09-214-
2006, Buluan island in the only place in the
municipal waters where hard and soft corals are still
intact and undamaged by dynamite fishing,
commercial fishing boats, and massive siltation.
Based on Marine Protected Areas Support Network
(MSN, 2020 (unpublished)), the island has 21
observed families of fishes including Sphyraenidae,
Scaridae, Nemipteridae, and Mullidae, and sighting
of giant clams (Tridacna spp.) and marine turtles.
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good (5 points), good (4 points), fair (3 points), poor (2 in the netting. These type of fishing method were
points), to very poor (1 point). made of monofilament or multifilament thread, lead
weight, and floats of any available material usually
Respondents of the study prioritizes fishermen living in Styrofoam balls (Kawamura & Bagarinao 1980). Next
the coastal areas of Ipil or Tungawan which has direct most practiced fishing method in barangay Buluan is
access to the resources. Key informant interview was pamasol/pasol (hook and line 20%), a type of fishing
also conducted among Municipal Environment and gear where the fish is attracted by a natural or artificial
Natural Resources head of office of Ipil and Tungawan, bait (lures) placed on a hook fixed to the end of a line or
Fisher folk Organizations President, Purok Presidents snood, on which they get caught. Hook or metallic points
and community leaders (experienced fishermen (jigs) are also used to catch fish by ripping them when
residing in the area for a long period of time, as they pass in its range of movement (Food and
recommended by local communities) to determine the Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2021).
organization’s participation and common problems Pamana (spearfishing- 7%), panagko (7%) and pamukot
encountered in the management of resources in the (7%) were least practiced type of fishing method of the
Marine Sanctuaries. respondents in barangay Buluan.
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depends their 25% and below income from fishing. of the respondents from Ipil, and 40% of the
Most of the respondents (70%) practiced pamasol respondents from Tungawan have answered. Also
(hook and line) type of fishing method. Hook and line respondents have participated in the law
is a type of fishing gear where the fish is attracted by a implementation to avoid conflict from the
natural or artificial bait (lures) placed on a hook fixed government such as penalties and other sanctions,
to the end of a line or snood, on which they get which 20% of the respondents from Ipil and 37% of
caught. Hook or metallic points (jigs) are also used to the respondents from Tungawan have answered.
catch fish by ripping them when they pass in its range
of movement (Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations 2021). Other fishing method
practiced by the respondents in the municipality is
New Look fishing (stationary bag net fishing) which
practiced by 23% of the respondents. This type of
fishing method is made up of a conical or cubical bag
net with natural/synthetic fiber nettings which are set
by means or regularly-spaced stakes or post as
enclosure for the bag net (FAO 133, Series of 1981).
However, this fishing method could create negative
environmental impact since a very small mesh (3 ply Fig. 3. Reasons of Coastal community’s participation
nets in Tungawan) were commonly used which in policy implementation.
caught juveniles and fish fry. While 3% of the
respondents used patuloy (gillnet fishing) as a All of the respondents of the municipality of Ipil and
method in fishing, which were made of monofilament Tungawan find these laws and policies useful and
or multifilament thread, lead weight and floats relevant to their everyday livelihood. However, there
usually Styrofoam balls (Kawamura & Bagarinao were recommendations from the respondents in
1980), 3% also of the respondents didn’t engage in terms of marine resource conservation and
fishing and don’t have used any fishing methods and
management to sustain these resources. Fig. 4 shows
have relied to other source of livelihood which is
out of 15 respondents from Ipil and 30 respondents
tricycle driver.
from Tungawan, 53% of the respondents from each
municipality have no recommendations as to the
Management strategies of coastal communities in
improvement of the laws and policies.
marine resources
There were prohibitions in the destructive and
This means that according to them, the laws that have
unsustainable use of marine resources in Ipil and
been implemented were already enough to manage
Tungawan municipality, Zamboanga Sibugay
the resources sustainably. One of the
Province. This is one of the methods of resource
recommendations of the respondents is to strengthen
management that has been implemented in this two
the law on the prohibition of illegal fishing methods
municipalities. With this, all of the respondents of
these areas have participated in this law and policy which was still observed in the marine areas
implementation. There were 3 main reasons behind currently, of which 33% of the respondents of Ipil and
the respondents’ participation as shown in Fig. 3. One 37% of respondents from Tungawan have
of these is to avoid penalties of which 53% of the recommended. Also, 13% of respondents from Ipil
respondents from Ipil and 23% of the respondents of and 10% of the respondents from Tungawan have
Tungawan have answered. Another reason of their recommended strict law enforcement in the
participation is to improve the resources which 27% protection of marine resources.
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In terms of participation of the respondents to the Also, the respondents have understood that
activities pertaining to the management of the coastal participating in these activities, mangrove tree planting
and marine resources such as tree planting, clean up for example helps the marine resources improve its
drives, seminars and workshops, all of the quality which serves as their primary source of
respondents have been participating to these type of livelihood. With this, the abundance of the marine
events. Fig. 5 shows the following reasons of the resources could also lead to a progressive and
respondents’ participation in the management abundance livelihood in their community. On the other
activities under community development. One of hand, most frequent answer of the respondents from
these reasons is to improve environmental quality of the coastal community of Tungawan as to the reason of
which 27% of the respondents from Ipil and 13% of their participation in community development
respondents from Tungawan have answered. The activities is because it is compulsory. These were
other 47% of the respondents from Ipil and 27% of common especially to 4P’s members where all
the respondents from Tungawan participated in the beneficiaries of the said government programs are
community development activities because it gives required to participate in all livelihood activities
them additional income. Moreover, 27% of the initiated by DSWD and other related agencies.
respondents from Ipil and 60% of the respondents
from Tungawan participated in these activities Perception of the respondents in marine resources of
because it is compulsory. Ipil
Table 1 shows the perception of the coastal
communities to the marine resources in Buluan, Ipil,
Zamboanga Sibugay. Based on the result of the study
conducted, it reveals that respondents describe the
current condition of the mangrove forest as very good
(mean=4.87), as compared to the previous status of
the resources upon their arrival which the
respondents described as very poor (mean=1.53).
With the current effort of the Local Government in
Fig. 5. Coastal communities’ reasons of participation partnership with the community to preserve the
to activities. mangrove forest, the respondents of this study
believed that the mangrove condition in their area
Fig. 5 also shows the most frequent answer of the after 5, 10 and 15 years will be very good (mean=5).
respondents which differs in two municipalities. For Table below shows the perception of the coastal
Ipil, the most frequent answer as to why they communities in the mangrove area.
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Table 1. Perceptions of the coastal community in Ipil Respondents of Ipil, Buluan, Zamboanga Sibugay
on mangrove resources. described the current condition of corals, as shown in
Statement Mean Interpretation Table 3, as in good condition (mean=3.87) compared
Current condition of the to the condition of corals upon their arrival which was
4.87 Very good
mangroves
Previous condition of the very poor (mean=1.73). As for the condition of the
1.53 Very poor
mangrove upon arrival corals for 5, 10 to 15 years from its current condition,
Mangrove condition 5 years
5 Very good the respondents perceived it in a very good condition.
from now
Mangrove condition 10 years As affected by illegal fishing activities, corals takes
5 Very good
from now
Mangrove condition 15 years time to regenerate thus the good current condition of
5 Very good
from now corals as described by the respondents of Ipil,
progresses after 5 years.
In terms of the perception of the respondents of Ipil
in the fish resources as shown in Table 2, this study
Table 3. Perception of the coastal communities of
revealed that the current status of fish resources is
Ipil in corals.
fair (mean=2.80) as compared to its previous
Statement Mean Interpretation
condition upon the arrival of the respondents in the Current condition of corals 3.87 Good
area which they described as poor (mean=2.27). After Condition of corals upon 1.73 Very poor
arrival
5 to 10 years from now, the respondents perceived Condition of corals 5 years 4.27 Very good
that the condition of fish resources is good since local from now
Condition of corals 10 years 4.87 Very good
efforts have already been initiated to start law from now
implementation in conservation of this resources. In Condition of corals 15 years 4.87 Very good
from now
10 years, respondents have anticipated that the law is
fully implemented and fully enforced so respondents
With a mean of 2.60 respondents in the coastal
believed that in 10 years, fisheries resources condition
communities of Buluan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay
will improved and be very good. During the survey
describes the current condition of seagrass resources
interview that has been conducted, the respondents
as poor as reflected in Table 4. The result of the
explains that the current condition of the fisheries
analysis further shows that the seagrass condition
resources is affected by the practice of illegal fishing
upon the respondents’ arrival is the same to its
methods which were still observed in the area
current condition, which means in poor condition. In
currently. Though there law enforcement and local
terms of the seagrass future condition 5 years from
government initiatives were already in place in the
now, the respondents have perceived its condition as
municipality of Ipil, it takes time for resources to
good, and in 10 to 15 years later seagrass condition
recover from the destruction. Hence, this explains the
was anticipated by the respondents to be in a very
residents’ response to the condition of the fish
good condition.
resources 5, 10, to 15 years from now.
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Perception of the respondents in marine resources of Table 6. Perception of the coastal communities of
Tungawan Tungawan in fisheries.
Based on the results of the study that has been Statement Mean Interpretation
conducted in the coastal communities in the Current condition of fisheries 2.07 Poor
Condition of fisheries 2.83 Fair
municipality of Tungawan in terms of mangrove resources upon arrival
perception, as shown in Table 5 the respondents Condition of fisheries in 5 2.97 Fair
years
described the current mangrove resources in fair Condition of fisheries in 10 2.93 Fair
condition (mean=3.23) of which as compared to its years
Condition of fisheries in 15 2.93 Fair
previous condition upon their arrival the respondents years
described the mangrove resources in poor condition
(mean=2.10). In terms of the mangrove condition 5 Table 7 reveals that the perception of the respondents
years from now, the respondents anticipated it to be in on the current coral condition was described as poor
good condition (mean=3.50). In 10 years and 15 years (mean=2.07), as compared to their perception to the
from the current time, the condition of the mangrove resources upon their arrival in the area which is fair
resources in Tungawan municipality was expected by (mean=3.37). It was further perceived by the
the respondents to be in a very good condition. respondents that for the coming 5, 10 to 15 years the
condition of the corals will not improve and will still
Table 5. Perception of the coastal communities of remain in a fair condition. Respondents further
Tungawan in mangroves. explains that, despite the efforts of the Local
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Table 8. Perception of the coastal communities of in its present condition. Laws pertaining to the proper
Tungawan in seagrass. utilization of coastal and marine resources have been
Statement Mean Interpretation realized and was expected to be fully implemented for
Current condition of seagrass 3.55 Good the next proceeding years. This explains the
Condition of seagrass upon 3.00 Fair
arrival perception of the respondents from the municipality
Condition of seagrass 5 years 3.40 Fair
of Ipil that resources was expected to improve in the
from now
Condition of seagrass 10 years 3.63 Good coming 5, 10, to 15 years.
from now
Condition of seagrass 15 years 3.63 Good
from now Recommendations
A municipal ordinance was already implemented to
Conclusion
sustainably manage coastal and marine resources in
Management strategies in the municipality of Ipil and
the municipalities of Ipil and Tungawan, Zamboanga
Tungawan were implemented through law
Sibugay. However practices that violates this ordinance
enforcement and community development activities.
was still observed by most of the respondents in these
Law enforcement refers to a form of management
areas. With this, it was recommended that there should
strategies which pertains to the formulation and
strong and strict implementation of the municipal
implementation of municipal ordinances that
ordinance to properly protect coastal and marine
addresses issues such as the use of illegal fishing
resources from illegal and unsustainable methods of
method and overharvesting. Community development
resource utilization.
activities refers to the activities initiated by different
government sectors in the coastal communities of Ipil
Local Government Units should create livelihood
and Tungawan that improves livelihood and quality of
opportunities from different stakeholders such as
life of the respondents. Results of the study revealed
TESDA and DTI to provide trainings and seminars on
that all of the respondents from the two
having an alternative source of livelihood of the
municipalities have participated in coastal and
coastal communities to avoid overexploitation on the
marine resource management for both law
coastal and marine resources.
enforcement and community development activities.
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It was further recommended for future researchers to Boudouresque CF, Cadiou G, Le Diréac'h L.
focus on the effects of the current coastal and marine 2005. Marine protected areas: a tool for coastal areas
resource status on the economic status in the coastal management. In Strategic management of marine
communities. Also, to conduct a thorough ecosystems. Springer, Dordrecht (pp. 29-52).
investigation on the effectivity of management
strategies imposed by the local government of Ipil Cinner J. 2005. Socioeconomic factors influencing
and Tungawan. customary marine tenure in the Indo-Pacific. Ecology
and society 10(1).
Acknowledgements
The researchers would like to extend their earnest Ehler CN, Basta DJ. 1993. Integrated management
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Accelerated Science and Technology Human
Resource and Development Project (ASTHRDP) for Ferreira A, Seixas S, Marques JC. 2015.
funding this research. Also, to the Local Government Bottom-up management approach to coastal
of Ipil and Tungawan Municipalities thru the marine protected areas in Portugal. Ocean &
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office Coastal Management 118, 275-281.
for the support, participation and for allowing us to
conduct this research in your area. Gabela-Flores MV, Diedrich A. 2021. Exploring
leadership dynamics in community-based marine
Interval data descriptive analysis for Likert Scale. protected areas. Marine Policy 129, 104569.
Scores Interpretation
4.21-5.00 Very good Himes AH. 2007. Performance indicators in MPA
3.41-4.20 Good
2.61-3.40 Fair management: using questionnaires to analyse
1.81-2.60 Poor stakeholder preferences. Ocean & Coastal
1.00-1.80 Very poor
Management 50(5-6), 329-351.
Interval computation for descriptive interpretation
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