Legal basis and coordinating frameworks
- Republic Act No. 7586 (the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Law) provides the legal basis for the protected areas framework used in implementing SCREMP.
- Executive Order No. 192, Series of 1987 provides the DENR reorganization basis for implementing functions under this program, through Sections 4 and 5.
- Executive Order No. 533, Series of 2006 adopts the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) Strategy to ensure sustainable development of the country’s coastal and marine environment and resources and establishes supporting mechanisms for related coastal and marine programs.
- Executive Order No. 797, Series of 2009 adopts the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) National Plan of Action (NPOA) as the primary framework for the development and implementation of related marine and coastal plans and programs.
- The guidelines expressly adopt the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) – Coastal and Marine Management Office (CMMO) as the implementing structure referenced in the program design.
Policy objectives and program intent
- SCREMP aims to implement sustainable management of coastal and marine resources through resource and habitat conservation, protection and rehabilitation.
- SCREMP aims to contribute to food security and improve human well-being of coastal communities.
- SCREMP aims to promote public awareness and instill social and environmental consciousness on the value of coral reefs and associated coastal and marine ecosystems, including mitigating the effects of climate change.
- SCREMP aims to enhance the formation of positive values among youth and other partners through shared responsibilities in sustainable management of coastal and marine resources and habitats.
- SCREMP aims to develop sustainable financing mechanisms through the establishment of a system of payment for ecosystem services.
Scope, coverage, and program definition
- SCREMP is implemented in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under NIPAS nationwide.
- SCREMP is implemented in locally-managed Marine Protected Areas (LMMPAs).
- SCREMP is implemented in identified marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBAs) with potential for establishment as MPAs.
- SCREMP is a DENR national program (2012-2020) that conducts a strategic, sustainable, ecosystem-based approach to protecting and rehabilitating coral reef ecosystems in the country.
- SCREMP is conducted through PAWB – CMMO.
Definitions and classifications used
- Artificial reef structures are man-made structures built to provide artificial shelter for marine organisms and hard surfaces for attachment for benthic organisms such as coral polyps.
- Corals are colonies of identical marine animals belonging to Phylum Cnidaria, including important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans.
- Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems built from calcium carbonate secreted by corals.
- Coral reefs include the following coral cover categories using the line intercept transect method:
- Category 1 – Poor: > 0 to 10% coral cover
- Category 2 – Fair: 11 to 30% coral cover
- Category 3 – Good: 31 to 50% coral cover
- Category 4 – Very Good: 51 to 75% coral cover
- Category 5 – Excellent: 76 to 100% coral reef cover
- Integrated Information Management System is a comprehensive and integrated system of collecting and analyzing information for management planning and reporting.
- Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (mKBAs) are globally significant marine sites for biodiversity conservation used by government, donors, NGOs, the private sector, and other stakeholders to expand the protected area network and to target conservation action on the ground.
Program components and implementation activities
- SCREMP implements sustainable management of coral reef ecosystems in partnership with DA-BFAR, other national government agencies, LGUs, research and academic institutions, duly organized and registered People’s Organizations, and the private sector.
- SCREMP includes Habitat and Vulnerability Assessments, which must be conducted using acceptable scientific procedures used by academic institutions such as UP-MSI and Silliman University.
- SCREMP Habitat and Vulnerability Assessments require the following activities:
- Resource assessment of all coral reef areas, including identification of threats affecting the coral reef ecosystem, whether land-based or marine-based
- Mapping and delineation of coral reef ecosystem boundaries, including rehabilitation and protection sites, using GPS and map generation consistent with the geo-reference of NAMRIA
- Marking delineated boundaries using appropriate buoys and markers
- Establishment and management of a database on coral reef ecosystems in healthy and degraded conditions, including rehabilitation, protection, and management areas, adopting the Integrated Information Management System (IIMS) in coastal and marine environments
- Preparation of a coral reef ecosystems management plan by concerned field offices consistent with existing MPA management plan and ICM Plan, including coral reef protection and rehabilitation measures
- Provision for technical readiness by requiring SCUBA diving training courses for field implementers
- SCREMP includes Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Protection activities consisting of:
- Survey of identified poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent coral reef ecosystems
- Establishment of protection measures such as floating monitoring sites, regular patrols, and similar activities
- Implementation of rehabilitation measures including stock enhancement of marine species and deployment of appropriate artificial reef structures
- Regular documentation and reporting of management, protection, and rehabilitation of coral reef ecosystems
- Implementation of UNEP-initiated project “Green Fins Code of Conduct” on Responsible Diving and other science-based information and technologies for coral reef protection and rehabilitation
- Maintenance, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of protection and rehabilitation measures implemented
- SCREMP includes Social Mobilization and Development, requiring:
- Conduct of information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns to increase awareness and promote appreciation of the importance of the coastal and marine environment, particularly coral reef habitat and ecosystems
- Technical and organizational capability-building for partner People’s Organizations and NGOs to attain SCREMP goals and objectives
- SCREMP includes MPA Establishment, Strengthening and Networking, covering:
- Establishment, strengthening, and networking of MPAs in collaboration with stakeholders
- Capacity building, management planning, and implementation of sustainable management
- Strengthening Protected Area Management Boards (PAMBs) because SCREMP target sites are NIPAS MPAs
- SCREMP includes Sustainable Livelihood Interventions, requiring identification and development of community-centered, community-driven, practical, sustainable, and environment-friendly livelihood projects such as ecotourism (including souvenir-making, tour guiding, and tourism-related business) to improve socio-economic welfare and sustain public support for conservation and protection of the coastal and marine environment.
Site selection priorities and criteria
- All NIPAS MPAs are prioritized SCREMP sites.
- SCREMP recognizes possible sites including all Integrated Coastal Management areas, including:
- Appropriate and suitable areas within locally managed MPAs
- Coral reefs with high living coral cover and high diversity of reef organisms
- Areas identified by academic and research institutions for scientific observation and related studies
- Other eligible areas within identified/proposed areas for protection and conservation by LGUs, People’s Organizations, and other civil society groups
- SCREMP uses the following criteria for selecting sites:
- Established MPAs or fish sanctuaries with fully adopted management plan and organizational structure
- NIPAS areas or areas within marine Key Biodiversity Areas
- Distance from coastal development (including sewerage, on-going reclamation, and other related development undertakings) and human activities, and areas set aside for docking and navigational lanes for tour boats and outrigger boats.
Strategies, convergence, consultations, and capacity
- SCREMP is implemented through strategies including IEC campaigns, social mobilization and convergence, harmonization of initiatives, and capacity building for field implementers.
- IEC campaigns require providing information on coral reef ecology and increasing stakeholder understanding and participation to conserve and protect the coastal and marine environment, instilling social and environmental consciousness and responsibility using science-based information and technologies.
- IEC campaigns require coordination with LGUs, DepEd, CHED, and state universities and colleges (SUCs) to integrate IEC campaigns consistent with Republic Act No. 9512, which promotes environmental awareness through environmental education for all educational levels, focusing on conservation, protection, and sustainable resource use of the coastal and marine environment.
- PAWB-CMMO partners with UP-MSI for a Masteral Course on MPA Management.
- IEC campaigns require collaboration with the private sector and civil society groups.
- Social mobilization and convergence requires enjoining active involvement of LGUs, MPA management bodies and networks, private sector, civil society groups, and other partners by:
- Urging LGUs, MPA management bodies, and networks to allocate adequate manpower and revenues to assist in conducting coral reef protection and rehabilitation activities
- Mobilizing the private sector, civil society, diving groups, and maximizing participation of other national government agencies through a convergence approach
- Harmonization requires regular consultations by DENR-PAWB and concerned DENR field offices with all stakeholders and partners to harmonize coral reef rehabilitation and protection activities.
- Capacity building requires:
- DENR-PAWB, in partnership with academic and research institutions and diving groups, to provide training for DENR field office staff on implementing sustainable management of coral reef ecosystems
- DENR field offices, in coordination with concerned national government agencies, academic and research institutions, to provide technical assistance for orientation/training workshops for concerned LGUs and registered POs
- DENR field offices and concerned LGUs to provide incentive and disincentive systems for law enforcers/partners involved in protection and rehabilitation of coral reef ecosystems.
Operation arrangements and technical review
- Implementation is led in regions by DENR Regional Offices through the Coastal and Marine Management Division (CMMD), with technical assistance and guidance from PAWB-CMMO.
- DENR Regional Offices may engage partnerships with concerned stakeholders in implementing the program.
- Coral reef rehabilitation and protection activities, including research and scientific studies, are implemented in coordination with DA-BFAR, DOST, academic and research institutions, concerned LGUs, and registered NGOs/POs.
- DENR field offices, in coordination with DA-BFAR and LGUs, provide technical assistance for identifying and determining suitable areas for coral reef rehabilitation and protection, including monitoring and assessing the survival and development in coral reef protection and rehabilitation areas.
- Deployment of artificial reef structures is reviewed and evaluated by DENR-PAWB, in coordination with DENR-EMB, DA-BFAR, DOT, DOST, DOTC-Philippine Coast Guard (DOTC-PCG), DND, DILG, concerned LGUs, and partner academic institutions.
- DENR-EMB environmental impact assessment (EIA) and its review results can influence issuance of permits for coastal development that can negatively impact coral reef ecosystems.
Planning parameters and implementation steps
- SCREMP action plans follow a timeframe with:
- Short-term (2013-2015): design ecological and socio-economic structure; pilot SCREMP to identified sites
- Medium-term (2013-2017): define gaps in NIPAS MPA management implementation; report monitoring and evaluation (M&E) progress
- Long-term (2013-2020): strengthen livelihood enterprises and sustainable financing mechanisms in sites
- SCREMP implementation uses the following steps:
- Step 1: Develop Framework (Oct 2012 to Dec 2012)—setting of objectives and strategies; scoping of priorities; site selection; planning and consultations; and policies and institutional mechanisms
- Step 2: Pilot SCREMP (Jan 2013 to Dec 2013)—habitat and vulnerability assessments; social mobilization; MPA/MPANs strengthening; livelihood interventions; and rehabilitation/protection plans
- Step 3: Scale up Implementation (Jan 2014 to Dec 2020)—monitoring and evaluation; additional MPA/MPANs within target sites; knowledge management and replication of best practices; refinement of processes; and addressing capacity gaps
Funding, budget rates, and unit cost
- The Department allocates funds to support SCREMP implementation on an annual basis.
- SCREMP cost per hectare for budgetary allocation and planning is PhP 1,310.00, broken down as follows:
- Habitat and Vulnerability Assessment: PhP 400.00
- Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Protection: PhP 650.00
- Social Mobilization and Development: PhP 75.00
- MPA Establishment, Strengthening, and Networking: PhP 60.00
- Sustainable Livelihood Interventions: PhP 125.00
- The total cost per hectare is PhP 1,310.00.
Supersession and effect on prior issuances
- The Order supersedes other issuances that are inconsistent with it.
- The Order’s effectivity is upon publication in a newspaper of national circulation and submission of a copy to ONAR.