1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Del Carmen
Region
Asia
Short description of the intervention
"Siargao It Up" is the mangrove conservation programme in Del Carmen, Siargao Islands of the Philippines. The municipality of Del Carmen hosts the largest mangrove forest in the Philippines – consisting of 4,871 hectares as of 2018. This mangrove forest is the habitat of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna both in marine, wetland and terrestrial areas. This ecosystem helps maintain the island's ecological balance by providing rich breeding grounds for aquatic lives. Furthermore, the forest plays a key role in capturing and storing carbon and helps the Philippines to meet its goal of carbon emission reduction. In addition to creating habitats and storing carbon, the forest also protects the community from the inevitable effects of climate change disasters. Recently, in December 2021, it was able to protect the residents from the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. [1, 2, 3]
Address

Del Carmen
Philippines

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Total area
4871.00m²
NBS area
4871.00m²
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Protected Area
Natural Heritage Area/Untouched nature
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2012
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2013
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Goals of the intervention
1. To protect the habitat of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna both in marine, wetland and terrestrial areas.
2. To help maintain the island's ecological balance by providing rich breeding grounds for aquatic life.
3. To enhance ecosystem-based adaptation and build climate resilience.
4. To spread awareness about the benefits of mangrove forests among the locals and tourists. [1, 3, 4]
Quantitative targets
Unknown
Monitoring indicators defined
% of reduction of illegal activities in the mangrove forests, % change in household income, number of beneficiaries, changes in fish stock (in percentage), increased mangrove forest area, the survival rate of newly planted mangroves, number of locals engaged who were illegal mangrove cutters before the project was implemented [2, 3, 5]
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14)
Coastal protection / hazard mitigation
Marine and coastal biodiversity protection
Marine and coastal research and/or education
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Water management (SDG 6)
Flood protection
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Environmental education
Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
Economic development: agriculture
Tourism support
Employment/job creation
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Reduce exposure to climate risks directly
Build resilience
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect coastal and freshwater ecosystems to prevent coastal erosion and pollution
Restore wetlands and/or coastal ecosystems to dissipate the effects of flooding and/or storms
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
Create new habitats
Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect native species
Undertake specific measures to protect valued species
Means for conservation governance
Manage biological resources for conservation and sustainable use
Raise public awareness
Public engagement
Create and use scientific knowledge for conservation
Capacity building
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
Restore native species
Restore valued species
Public engagement
Implementation activities
The program partnered with various organizations and private sectors for operationalization, 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. Through its partnership with people’s organisations, 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. A nursery was established for a stable supply of mangrove propagules to support the rehabilitation program. [1, 2]
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Coastal landscape management or protection
Ecological restoration of ecosystems
Knowledge creation and awareness raising
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Coastlines
Coastal wetland, mangroves and salt marshes
Vegetation Type
Shrubs
Trees
Please specify how many trees were planted
Unknown
Amenities offered by the NBS
Educational and research amenities (nature protection centre, monitoring stations)
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Provisioning services
Food for human consumption (crops, vegetables)
Water (surface and ground water for drinking and non-drinking purposes)
Regulating services
Coastal protection
Carbon storage/sequestration
Flood regulation
Water purification / filtration
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural services
Tourism
Intellectual interactions (scientific and / or educational)
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Private sector/Corporate/Company
Citizens or community groups
Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Private sector/Corporate/Business
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Del Carmen, Surigao Del Norte (Siargao Islands) has partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) chaired by Pangilinan and Wildlife Corporation, a home care products company. [1, 2, 3]
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
Local government/municipality
District/neighbourhood association
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Private foundation/trust
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Taskforce groups
Dissemination of information and education
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Citizen oversight (e.g. boards, advisory)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan
National Integrated Protected Area System Act [1]
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Environmental regulation
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Blue Over Development Strategy, co-designed with Ayala Corporation, as part of the ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) project for the Bridging Leaders’ Initiative for Climate Resilience (BLICR) Fellowship Program. [3]
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify the general plan with GI/NBS section
The BLICR Program is the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Leadership’s (TEC-BL) pioneering fellowship that seeks to facilitate government and business sector collaboration in developing nature-based solutions for coastal communities. [3]
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
City specific climate change policy or plan
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Mangrove Propagation and Information Center [1, 4]
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Investment from the Government and Wellife Corporation. [1]
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Yes
Co-governance arrangement
A foundation
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Set up specifically for this NBS
Financing
Total cost
Unknown
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
Unknown
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
Unknown
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Private Foundation/Trust
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Business models
Risk reduction model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Technological
Process innovation
Infrastructural innovation
Social
Policy innovation
Please specify technological innovation
Process innovation: The program developed innovative approaches to mangrove rehabilitation, such as using mangrove propagules with coconut husks. It was found that the mangrove had a 90% survival rate with the coconut husks instead of polyethene plastic bags and had a better and more stable root system.
Infrastructural innovation: A Mangrove Protection Information Center (MPIC) was established to serve as the tourism receiving centre 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. [1, 3]
Please specify social innovation
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. [3]
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
The innovation is transferred to new initiative(s) without substantial adaptation
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The programme has been able to deliver encouraging results for Mangrove Forest Conservation and has a very high potential of transferring to other coastal areas. Because of its high success rate, it has received several awards including, the 2019- Champion for Best Mangrove Awards, 2018- Galing Pook Awards Finalist for the Del Carmen Mangrove Management thru Social Tourism Program, 2015- GGGI Climate Champion for Mangrove Management. [3, 6]
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Climate change
Increased protection against sea level rise
Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
Enhanced carbon sequestration
Water management and blue areas
Improved water quality
Increased protection against flooding
Improved stormwater management
Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems
Green space and habitat
Increase in protected green space areas
Increased conversion of degraded land or soil
Reduced biodiversity loss
Increased number of species present
Increased protection of threatened species
Description of environmental benefits
1. By adding leaf and root structures into the accumulating sediment, which increases the elevation while enhancing the trapping of new sediment arriving from the catchment, the mangrove forests protect the community from sea level rise.
2. The mangrove forests are sanctuaries to rare and endangered wildlife species such as the Philippine Cockatoo, the Hawksbill Turtle, the Green Sea Turtle, the Golden Crown Flying Fox, Dinagat Gymnure, the Olive Ridley Turtle and the endangered dugong. The conservation has also improved the species' protection and increased its variety. Of the 54 mangrove species worldwide, 44 can be found in Del Carmen, and the Crocodylus porosus, the largest of all living saltwater crocodiles, can be found in the town’s mangrove forest.
3. The forest also prevents soil erosion, protects the coastline from strong winds and waves, and filters off agricultural run-off and pollution. 4. It is also a breeding ground for different marine organisms; is a source of food, medicines and firewood; and supplies dissolved organic matter for the nutrient cycle.
5. The conservation measure has helped the mangrove community to grow stronger, which in turn protects the town from stormwater surges including recent typhoon Odette.
6. The forest also plays a crucial role in capturing and storing carbon helping the Philippines to achieve its carbon emission target.
7. The programme resulted in an average survival rate of 80% per area planted. Bantay Dagat activities also led to a 200% fish stock increase. [1, 2, 4]
Economic impacts
Increase of green jobs (e.g. paid employment positions)
More sustainable tourism
Stimulate development in deprived areas
Increase in agricultural production (for profit or not)
Generation of income from NBS
Description of economic benefits
1. The program paved the way for the development of community-based mangrove tours that provided alternative livelihood to 248 beneficiaries, who are either illegal mangrove cutters and fisherfolk or those affected by commercial fishing.
2. The various initiatives under the program led to the drastic reduction of illegal activities, 95% threat reduction of mangrove cutting as well a 90% decrease in illegal fishing based on a report of Bantay Dagat from 2014 to 2018.
3. Household family income rose from PhP4,000- 5,000 in 2014 to PhP8,000-10,000 in 2018.
4. According to Del Carmen Vice Mayor, a sudden increase in fish stocks resulted in lowering the cost of fisheries for the consuming public. [1, 2]
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Fair distribution of social, environmental and economic benefits of the NBS project
Improved liveability
Increased access to healthy/affordable food
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of natural heritage
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
Safety
Improved community safety to climate-related hazards
Decreased crime rates
Description of social and cultural benefits
1. The town’s vast mangrove forest has become a major tourist destination in Siargao, with 21 boat operators doing from three to four trips per day, thus generating income for the local economy.
2. The various initiatives under the program led to the drastic reduction of illegal activities, 95% threat reduction of mangrove cutting as well a 90% decrease in illegal fishing based on a report of Bantay Dagat from 2014 to 2018.
3. The project has provided safety from stormwater surges, including recent typhoons, to the communities and their livelihoods.
4. The local communities have been encouraged and brought into the programme, which has provided an additional fair income source for them. This has successfully distributed the direct benefits of the forest to everyone.
5. The measures have improved food production (materials from the mangroves, fish and other medicinal products).
6. The project has successfully restored and conserved the natural mangrove forests, which are the national heritage of the Philippines.
7. The mangrove Propagation and Information Centre promotes an integrated community approach to education, mangrove reforestation, sustainable tourism, and livelihood. The centre displays educational materials, a collection of seashells and a complete skeleton of a saltwater crocodile as well as a number of skulls and a preserved saltwater crocodile. [2, 3, 4, 5]
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
Reduction of illegal activities in the mangrove forests (in percentage), increase in household income (in percentage), number of beneficiaries, changes in fish stock (in percentage), increased mangrove forest area, the survival rate of newly planted mangroves, number of locals engaged who were illegal mangrove cutters before the project was implemented [2, 3, 5]
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Paid employment positions
Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...
Positive distribution of NBS benefits
Increased access to healthy food for humans and/or animals
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
Unknown as of April 2022.
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Collection of monitoring data continuously throughout the project to aid evaluation
Collection of monitoring data at specific time intervals during the project to aid evaluation
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Measurements of biophysical aspects of the NBS (e.g. temperature, water flow)
Observation (including virtual surveillance methods)
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
No evidence in public records
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
List of references
1. Embudo, F.L. and Hallare, K. (2021). Some Siargao Residents Saved By Mangrove Forest From Odette. Science, Health and Environment Department. Philippines Government. URL: https://aim.edu/news/del-carmen-siargao-islands-partners-wellife-corporation-mangrove-conservation. Accessed on 28th April, 2022.
2. Galing Pook (n.d.) Siargao It Up! The Del Carmen Mangrove Management Program. URL: https://galingpook.org/what-we-do/awards/awardees/siargao-it-up-the-del-carmen-mangrove-management-program/. Accessed on 28th April, 2022
3. Team Energy Center for Bridging Leadership. (2021) Del Carmen, Siargao Islands Partners with Wellife Corporation for Mangrove Conservation. Asian Institute of Management. URL: https://faspselib.denr.gov.ph/sites/default/files//211227_ONENEWS_Embudo%20and%20Hallare_Some%20Siargao%20Residents%20Saved%20By%20Mangrove%20Forest%20From%20Odette.pdf. Accessed on 28th April, 2022.
4. Layug, B. (2017) Mangrove Protection and Information Center (Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte). URL: http://benjielayug.com/2017/07/mangrove-protection-and-information-center-del-carmen-surigao-del-norte.html#:~:text=A%20center%20for%20the%20protection,and%20its%20contribution%20to%20the. Accessed on 28th April, 2022.
5. Forest Foundation Philippines (2016) Mangrove cutters-turned-fish wardens now protect the mangroves of Siargao Islands. URL: https://www.forestfoundation.ph/news/mangrove-cutters-turned-fish-wardens-now-protect-the-mangroves-of-siargao-island/. Accessed on 28th April, 2022.
6. Municipality of Del Carmen (n.d.) Awards and Recognitions. URL: http://alagaw.dict.gov.ph/~s2govdelcarmenph/staging/awards-and-recognitions/. Accessed on 28th April, 2022.
Comments and notes
Public Images
Mangrove Forest of Del Carmen
Mangrove Forest of Del Carmen
http://mangrove-adventure.com/
Mangrove Forest of Del Carmen
Mangrove Forest of Del Carmen
Municipality of Del Carmen