Antolin P.
Beceril Jr
MPA 621 – Philosophy and Science of Public Administration
Gawad Pook Award 2018
“Siargao It Up! The Del Carmen Mangrove Management Program”
Background of the Program:
The Municipality of Del Carmen launched “Siargao It Up! The Del Carmen Mangrove Management
Program” in 2013 in the hope to transform mangrove cutters into fisherfolk, and illegal fishers into boat
guides in order to preserve the mangrove forest, and at the same time maximize its tourism potential.
The program partnered with various organizations and the private sector in the operationalization of the
program which includes capacity building activities, community organizing, educational advocacy
campaigns, and funding for livelihood innovations.
A Mangrove Management Plan was formulated with the participation of various stakeholders to
systematically implement activities that will address mangrove cutting and illegal fishing. The plan was
also science-based as the municipality partnered with scientists to effectively preserve the mangrove
forest. Another highlight of the plan was the monitoring and evaluation mechanism set in place to
measure the success of the various activities.
The Issues of the Community Addressed by the Program:
Housing the largest contiguous mangrove forest cover in the Philippines, with approximately 1,900
fishing households, the Municipality of Del Carmen depends on its mangrove for livelihood. Covering 27
kilometers in length and at least 500 meters in width, the mangrove block is the habitat of various
species especially the endangered Philippine saltwater crocodile as well as the Philippine Cockatoo.
However, due to the heavy reliance on these marine resources, there were rampant mangrove cutting,
gleaning and dynamite fishing that threatened to endanger the mangrove ecosystem.
Factors that qualify the program for the Gawad Pook Awards:
Leading to its inception in 2013, the municipality and various organizations in 2012 conducted numerous
information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign activities, using various media including film
to inform people of the hazards of mangrove cutting and illegal fishing as well as its long-term impact to
the livelihood of the communities. To complement these awareness-raising activities, continuous
organizing and training of people’s organizations (POs) on alternative sources of livelihood were
conducted in the nearby mangrove and coastal areas. Through its partnership with people’s
organizations, the municipality conducted regular mangrove planting and rehabilitation in partnership
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The program also developed
innovative approaches to mangrove rehabilitation such as the use of mangrove propagules with coconut
husks. It was found that the mangrove had a 90% survival rate with the coconut husks instead of
polyethylene plastic bag and had a better and stable root system. A nursery was established for a stable
supply of mangrove propagules to support the rehabilitation program. The use of this simple innovative
technology resulted in an average survival rate of 80% per area planted. Bantay Dagat activities also led
to a 200% fish stock increase. The program also paved the way for the development of the community-
based mangrove tours that provided alternative livelihood to 248 beneficiaries, who are either illegal
Antolin P. Beceril Jr
MPA 621 – Philosophy and Science of Public Administration
Gawad Pook Award 2018
“Siargao It Up! The Del Carmen Mangrove Management Program”
mangrove cutters and fisherfolk and those affected by commercial fishing. Mangrove eco-guides were
also trained in 2016 with the support of Shore It Up and MPIC Foundation for them to be DOT certificate
holders. A Mangrove Protection Information Center (MPIC) was established to serve as the tourism
receiving center or the jump off point for the mangrove forest tourism tours where educational and art
installations were placed about the mangrove forest, its importance and preservation. In addition,
plastic paddle boats were provided to the illegal mangrove cutters with less production cost. These
boats can easily be maneuvered in waterways because they are lightweight. They have cheaper
materials that can be sourced out locally and relatively with lower cost. Its flexibility and elasticity allow
boat makers to develop a more complex boat design which is more appropriate to the target fishing
grounds.
Excellence as models of local governance by applying PA principles in their best practice intended for
replication.
The various initiatives under the program led to the drastic reduction of illegal activities, 95% threat
reduction of mangrove cutting as well as 90% decrease in illegal fishing based on a report of Bantay
Dagat from 2014-2018. Household family income rose from PhP4,000-5,000 in 2014 to PhP8,000-10,000
in 2018. Through the success of the program, the Municipality of Del Carmen received several key
recognitions such as DILG Seal of Good Local Governance for 2016, 2017, and 2018; GGGI Climate
Champion for Mangrove Management for 2015; and DOT/ATOP 2 nd Best Tourism Event of Pearl Awards
in 2014.
Galing Pook's incoming executive director Georgina Ann Hernandez-Yang mentioned in the online
launching of the Gaward Pook Awards 2021 event with the theme "GobyerNew: Magagaling na
Programa mula sa Magagaling na Pook. In her opening remarks, this year's awards was all about
celebrating local governments who were able to effectively and continuously deliver their programs in
the new normal context. She added that she could attest that many local governments inspired them
and provided models of good governance during this time of the pandemic.
The Galing Pook Award was launched in searching and recognizing innovative practices initiated and
implemented by Local Government Units on the basis that their program must have positive, verifiable
and significant results and impact to both administrators and communities, must be able to promote
people’s participation, involvement and empowerment, must show innovation, must be consistent,
sustainable and reproducible and must be efficient in the service implementation and delivery of the
program.
These objectives of the Galing Pook Award are consistent with the indicators of Good Governance which
consists of Participation, Rule of Law, Transparency, Responsiveness, Consensus Oriented, Equity and
Inclusiveness, Effectiveness and Efficiency, and Accountability.
Beyond the awards, LGUs with winning programs become models of good governance inspiring,
encouraging and stimulating other LGUs and communities to emulate and replicate as these provide
Antolin P. Beceril Jr
MPA 621 – Philosophy and Science of Public Administration
Gawad Pook Award 2018
“Siargao It Up! The Del Carmen Mangrove Management Program”
useful insights and strategies to look for innovative solutions to their respective local problems and
reaffirms the community and government’s effort and commitment to good governance.
