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Adapting to a Changing Environment

Western Philippines University

Puerto Princesa, Filipinas

An Overview Of Our Solution

Who is this solution impacting?
Ecosistema
Freshwater
Freshwater
Urban Built Environment
Urban/Built Environment
Additional Information
  • Population Impacted:
  • Continent: Asia
General Info

Dirección

Sta. Monica
Puerto Princesa
Filipinas

Correo electrónico

lycasandrea_castro@yahoo.com
Problem

Población impactada

Barangay Berong has a total population of around 2,000 and most of the residents are dependent on fishing and farming.

Size

around 2,000 residents

Ocupaciones principales

fishing and farming

Recursos locales de los que depende la comunidad y con qué propósito

Fishery resources and mangroves (Nypa fruticans and Lumnitzera racemosa), for livelihood

Amenazas locales a los recursos

pollution, overharvesting, cutting/ clearing

Riesgos climáticos

Tagbunsaing Lake in Berong, Quezon, Palawan is a brackish lake which automatically opens to the sea every August and close by sand shifting every December. Before, it was a blessing for the Tagbanua tribes since it provides them sheltered fishing grounds during typhoon, with both marine and freshwater fishes. However, the road construction had blocked the natural process of the lake and mining explorations continually threatens them and their ancestral lands with health hazards, informal settlers, pollution, soil erosion/landslides, etc.(pers comm. Danglong 2012 - Barangay Captain and former President of Berong-Aramaywan Tagbanua Association).

Nivel de sensibilidad

Because of growing population of migrants, competition in the use of fishery resources and mangroves (Nypa fruticans) are also increasing. Informal settlers near the lake are causing more pollution and continuous mining operations leads to greater destruction of their forests.

Nivel de capacidad adaptativa

The Tagbanua tribes are trying to cope up with the loss of their livelihood sources due to pollution and disturbances in their natural fishing grounds by utilizing the Nypa fruticans in making palm roof and mats and trying to aquaculture in the lake.
Solution

The road should be replaced with a bridge to restore the ecological processes in the lake, reduce hazard risk, and naturally improve food security and livelihood for the community.This is the plea of the Tagbanua tribes and I have tried to request to the Provincial government but doesn't have an action yet. Demolish/ relocate the informal settlers beside the lake to reduce direct sources of pollution that cause algal bloom and minimize human vulnerabilities being a natural flood control. The indigenous group are not staying near the lake, which is actually part of their ancestral lands, because they value its ecological importance. However, they find difficulties in prohibiting migrants to settle and compete with them in the use of resources. Empower the indigenous people to assert their right and improve their livelihood sources through organizing training-workshops on human rights and environmental laws.

Results

Costos ecológicos

increase fishing inside the lake, competition/overharvesting of resources

Beneficio ecológico

normal flow of water in and out of the lake, buffer against coastal flooding, cleaning of the lake through the removal of algae with its water movement, restoration of fishery resources diversity within the lake, control of macrophytes growth, etc. Demoli

Indicadores económicos utilizados para medir el beneficio

water quality of lake, diversity of fishery resources, normal growth of aquatic macrophytes

Costo comunitario/social

Conflict of interest with informal settlers

Beneficio comunitario/social

empowered and environmentally aware citizens and indigenous groups

Indicadores comunitarios/sociales utilizados para medir el beneficio

Number of residents in Berong, Quezon (>2,000), particularly the Tagbanua tribe (BATA)

Costo económico

Cost for the removal of road and construction of bridge, relocation site/expenses for the informal settlers

Beneficio económico

Increase sources of food and livelihood for the community

Indicadores ecológicos utilizados para medir el beneficio

Attendance/community participation in road to bridge renovation, voluntary demolition/relocation, and community-environmental conservation activities such as coastal clean-up, mangrove planting, etc.

What were/are the challenges your community faced in implementing this solution?

The challenge being faced in the implementation of these solutions was the dialogue with the government for funds, with the informal settlers to relocate, and with the community to participate. However, I believe that it will not totally serve as a hindrance as long as there will be an open communication and that the law will prevail.

Action

Describa el proceso basado en la comunidad utilizado para desarrollar la solución, incluidas las herramientas y los procesos utilizados.

The research I am currently doing entitled "A macrophyte-based assessment of ecological status, socio-economic potential and human vulnerabilities of Tagbunsaing Lake, Berong, Quezon, Palawan" is part of my graduate studies. I am still analyzing the data that I have gathered and writing the results. The study focused on how can the presence of macrophytes indicate water quality and soil nutrients, its existing and potential uses and as well as the hazards to human through interviews and focus group discussions.

Peligro climático de preocupación

Coastal flooding or storm surge

¿Cómo reduce su solución la exposición y amortigua/protege el ecosistema afectado?

The replacement of road to bridge aims to return back the normal flow of water in and out of the lake, clean and remove the algae through the water movement, restore the diverse fishery resources within the lake, control the growth of macrophytes, etc. Demolition/relocation of informal settlers can reduce pollution that cause algal bloom and minimize hazards for human. Empowering the indigenous people will equip them with knowledge and skills that will make them more ready for managing their resources.

How has your solution increased the capacity of the ecosystem to adapt to potential climate changes?

By restoring the normal flow of water in and out of the lake, this ecosystem will have an increased capacity to serve as buffer against coastal flooding, storm surge, etc. Demolition/relocation of informal settlers can reduce pollution sources and reduce clearing of mangroves (Nypa and Lumnitzera) Empowering the indigenous people will prepare them to be better adapted to potential climate changes and disaster management

¿Cómo reduce su solución la exposición y amortigua/protege a las comunidades afectadas?

These solutions reduce the exposure of both the indigenous groups and informal settlers to potential climate change impacts since it targets to move them away from the risks or hazards that it may cause them like a more ecosystem-friendly infrastructure, policies, and programs.

¿Cómo su solución reduce la sensibilidad de las comunidades afectadas?

These solutions reduce the sensitivity of the communities to climate change since they will have alternative livelihood sources, they will be moving away from potential risks/ hazards near the lake, and they will be more prepared through the increased awareness.

¿Cómo ha aumentado su solución la capacidad de las comunidades locales para adaptarse a posibles cambios climáticos?

The solutions mentioned were also from the opinions of the local communities, especially of the Tagbanua tribes. They believe that with the renovation of their road to bridge, they will have more foodand livelihood sources even with changes in the climate. They also believe that they will be able to restore the lake if there will be no people living near the lake, and that all these will increase their capacity to be prepared for potential climate change impacts.

Scale

¿Se puede replicar esta solución en otros lugares?

Yes, ecosystem restoration can also be done elsewhere with similar problems.

Overview
Solution
Scale
Rare
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