Medium-Sized Project Brief

Project Summary

PROJECT IDENTIFIERS1. Project Name: Conservation of the Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park (TRNMP) and World Heritage Site

2. GEF Implementing Agency: UNDP

3. Country of countries in which the project is being implemented: Philippines

4. Country Eligibility: Ratification of the CBD on October 8, 1993. Notification of participation in restructured GEF on June 16, 1994.

5. GEF focal area (s): Biodiversity 6. Operational program/short-term measure: Coastal, marine, freshwater ecosystem

7. Project linkage to national priorities, action plans, and programs:

The project contributes to the achievement of the objectives of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), namely: the conservation of biodiversity through improved knowledge and management systems; research and development; better information availability and institutional support mechanisms; the sustainable use of biodiversity; and the equitable sharing of the benefits of biodiversity.

The strategies of the NBSAP relevant to the project are:

1. Expanding and improving knowledge on the extent, characteristics, uses and values of biological diversity,

2. Enhancing and integrating existing and planned biodiversity conservation efforts with emphasis on in-situ activities, and

3. Advocating stronger international cooperation on biodiversity conservation and management.

Tubbataha is a Marine Protected Area covered under the NIPAS Act of 1992. It is linked to the Philippine “Agenda 21” which is designed to conserve the Biodiversity of the Philippines, of which Tubbataha is one of the most outstanding examples.

8. GEF national operational focal point and date of country endorsement:

Endorsement signed by Philippine GEF Operational Focal Point on 12 July 1999. See Annex 5.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES9. Project rationale and objectives:

The overall objective of the proposed conservation initiative is to conserve the unique and relatively pristine condition of the globally significant biological diversity and ecological processes of the Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park (TRNMP) and to manage TRNMP and the surrounding area on a sustainable and ecologically sound basis. This objective of the project will largely be pursued through the implementation of the approved Management Plan for TRNMP. The conservation of TRNMP also depends on the actions in the surrounding areas including the islands of Cagayancillo and Cavili. Human inhabitants of these islands threaten TRNMP as they are using and permitting the extraction of resources from the Park.

The project has five (5) immediate objectives:

1. Conservation Management: Bring about the effective long-term conservation management of TRNMP.

2. Conservation Awareness: Raise awareness regarding the importance of conserving TRNMP such that stakeholders (local communities, Government, dive operators, tourists, and others) are aware of and actively participating in conservation.

3. Regulations, Policy, and Advocacy: Ensure that relevant policies, regulations, and Government appropriations support conservation and resource management in TRNMP.

4. Ecosystem Research and Monitoring: Enhance ecological understanding and adaptive management of TRNMP and nearby reefs through an ecosystem research and monitoring program.

Indicators:

Success at achieving this objective will be indicated through a measurable decline and eventual reversal in marine resource and biodiversity degradation in the area. The status of the system will be monitored through extensive biological and social research.

1. Self-sustaining management structures are in place and functioning as indicated by decreased violations and improved ecosystem condition.

2. Social assessments and observation indicate increased awareness and stakeholders are participating in the management of the TRNMP.

3. Policy review and advocacy results in recommended regulatory adjustments (if necessary) and Government appropriations to enhance conservation of the TRNMP area.

4. Trends in ecosystem health are clearly evident from the ecological research and monitoring system and management practices are adapted as recommended by ecological information.

5. Sustainable Resource Management and 5. Surveys indicate that community natural

Livelihood: Enhance conservation by developing and implementing effective community-based resource management and livelihood projects.

resources base and quality of life improves and as a result community support for and involvement in destructive activities decreases.

10. Project outcomes:

A. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT

1. Management structure and infrastructure established and functioning effectively

2. Approved TRNMP Management Plan under effective implementation resulting in the maintenance of the ecosystem, resources, and biodiversity of TRNMP and surrounding area (includes the formation of a management unit comprised of DND patrol staff, project staff, and staff contributed by stakeholder groups. This management unit will implement field activities.

3. An effective Marine Law Enforcement Program curtailing resource destruction implemented and enforcement guidelines included in regulations.

4. Stakeholders’ capacity to enable long-term sustainable resource management and takeover of all conservation management activities enhanced.

5. A well-managed tourism sector based on guidelines and criteria for biodiversity conservation and contributing to conservation.

6. Sustainable Financing mechanisms reviewed and established

7. Approved zonation plan under effective implementation

8. Establishment of Jessie Beazley and Bastera Reef as a protected area assessed.

Indicators:

1. Management body functioning, having regular meetings (80 % of planned meetings are held with at least 75% attendance), and promulgating effective policy for management of TRNMP.Park management offices constructed.

2. Recommended actions of approved management plan undertaken by TPAMB, stakeholders, and Management Unit. Increased collaboration.

3. Law enforcement successfully apprehending and bringing violators to justice, decreased incidence of offense and damage to sites, regulatory mechanism reflect experience in enhancing law enforcement at TRNMP

4. Stakeholders able to manage conservation and resource management activities with decreasing support from the project, 200 stakeholder representatives trained.

5. Tourism operators and tourists participate in conservation and reef condition near dive sites is maintained or improves

6. After 5 to 6 years, financing plan yielding sufficient revenue to pay major management cost.

7. Zonation plan in place, understood and enforced

8. Recommendations for Jessie Beazley Reef and Bastera Reef as candidate protected areas. Reef conditions improved.

B. CONSERVATION AWARENESS

1. Local communities, Government, dive operators, and tourists are aware of, supportive of, and actively involved in conservation

C. REGULATIONS, POLICY, AND ADVOCACY

1. Legislation, regulations, and appropriations support the sustainable management of TRNMP (based on review of existing legislation and experience gained through project implementation).

D. ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH AND MONITORING

1. Ecosystems research and monitoring of TRNMP and surrounding reefs strengthened thereby improving knowledge on ecosystems and adaptive management

2. A GIS database containing pertinent ecological, socioeconomic and resource use information and used by TPAMB in management.

E. SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND LIVELIHOOD

1. Understanding of resource use and socioeconomic factors leading to resource depletion in TRNMP, Cagayancillo, and Cavili increased.

2. Community-based resource management strategies implemented including management of local reserves.

3. Community-based livelihood projects that are linked to conservation management implemented.

1. Local communities participate and lead conservation activities. Incidence of local people violating park rules decrease. Government provides management support. Dive tourism industry complies with rules and regulations as verified through periodic site visits and health of coral in popular dive sites.

1. Protected Area designation approved for TRNMP. Policy recommendations accepted and implemented. Government appropriation to support TRNMP secured.

1. TPAMB refers to biological monitoring data in resource management of the area. Monitoring indicates improvements in ecosystem health.

2. Observations and collaboration indicate the TPAMB is using the GIS database in management and communication with stakeholders.

1. This knowledge enables systematic design and implementation of sustainable resource and livelihood strategies.

2. Communities set up several local reserves and increased fish abundance motivates the establishment of other reserves and relieves fishing pressure on TRNMP.

3. Communities establish several livelihood projects relieving pressure on TRNMP and local marine resources in Cagayancillo and Cavili. Community surveys indicate communities understand the linkage between these activities and conservation.

4. Criteria, indicators and guidelines (based on 4. Economic development plans (as verified by

best practices) for biodiversity conservation incorporated into economic activities, plans and strategies.

review and EIAs) demonstrate low risk of negative impacts for the conservation of globally significant biodiversity.

11. Project activities to achieve outcomes (including costs in US $ or local currency of each activity). All costs cited include the total project costs including baseline and increment.

A. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT

1. Establish and operationalize a management structure and establish and maintain infrastructure (280,370)

2. Assist the TPAMB in implementing the approved Management Plan (656,677).

3. Strengthen the enforcement of pertinent laws and regulations through an effective patrol system (307,446 includes boats, patrol expenses, and mooring buoys).

4. Develop and implement a strategy to increase resource management capacity among TPAMB members and other stakeholders. (126,250 includes training for various agencies and GIS training).

5. Formulate and implement of guidelines and criteria in regulating TRNMP as an ecological destination (5,915).

6. Review of existing fee systems and feasibility studies on ways to long-term financing of resource management activities in the TRNMP (20,000).

7. Develop and implement a zonation plan (10,000).

8. Undertake biological assessments of Jessie Beazley Reef and Bastera Reef and lobby for its establishment as a protected area (10,000).

Total Cost: 1,416,658

Indicators:

1. TPAMB holds meetings regularly, provides management advice to park management, oversees the implementation of the management plan, and reviews and adjusts park policies. Infrastructure established and functioning.

2. Staff comprising the Management Unit on board and effectively implementing the plan as indicated by periodic reviews and evaluations.

3. The efficacy of the patrol program will be monitored based on the number of violations and enforcement actions such as confiscation etc. It is expected that the patrol program will result in decreasing numbers of violations as word of the patrols program spreads.

4. Monitored by the number of trained resource managers produced. An effort will be made to track the progress of various trainees to monitor how their training may contribute to conservation. During the course of the project, stakeholders will increasingly take over conservation management. By year four, take over will be complete.

5. Guidelines implemented and tourism operators and tourists complying as indicated by sincere participation in conservation, minimum number of violations, and improved or maintained reef conditions near dive sites

6. A plan is developed with relevant stakeholder input and implemented successfully providing sufficient funding to fully support management needs of Tubbataha by year 5.

B. CONSERVATION AWARENESS

1. Develop and implement an awareness, information, education and communication program (54,674).

Total Cost: 54,674

C. REGULATONS, POLICY, AND ADVOCACY

1. Undertake policy analysis and liaison to increase Government support for Tubbataha and to strengthen relevant legislation and regulations associated with TRNMP and other marine protected areas. Work to ensure that lessons from executing the project are incorporated into the policy and regulatory regime (22,317).

Total Cost: 22,317

D. ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH AND MONITORING

1. Formulate and execute an ecological research and monitoring program for TRNMP and nearby reefs (69,269).

2. Develop a GIS database on TRNMP and surrounding areas such as the Cagayancillo, Cavili, Jessie Beazley Reef, and Bastera Reef (27,337).

Total Cost: 96,606

7. Assessments complete and zonation plan put in place. Opinions regarding zonation plan assessed through stakeholder fora and annual stakeholder meetings.

8. Biological assessments of Jessie Beazley completed and recommendations to work out its establishment as a protected area are discussed with relevant stakeholder groups.

1. Stakeholders better understand the importance of environmental stewardship as determined by qualitative socio-economic data collection. Stakeholders more involved in resource management

1. Effective statutes and policies promulgated by provincial, national governments, and appropriate regulations developed by the TPAMB.

1. Completion and timely execution of the research and monitoring plan. Program providing sufficient information on which to base management decisions. Scientific researchers attracted to participate.

2. GIS database developed and used by TPAMB in management decisions as indicated by observation and project staff participation in TPAMB activities.

E. SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND LIVELIHOODS

1. Undertake socioeconomic, resource use, and attitudinal assessments in Cagayancillo and Cavili and other areas impacting TRNMP (21,869).

2. Work with local communities in Cagayancillo and Cavili to develop and implement a community-based sustainable resource management strategy including local reserves (17,297).

3. Work with local communities in Cagayancillo and Cavili to develop and implement a livelihood strategy linked to conservation management (80,000).

4. Work to develop and ensure that criteria, indicators, and guidelines (based on best practices) for biodiversity conservation are incorporated into economic development activities, plans, and strategies (no direct cost except for the time of staff to work with developers and the Palawan Council on Sustainable Development) (15,000).

Total Cost: 134,166

1. Assessments undertaken.2. Communities operating resource

management efforts including several community marine reserves and livelihood strategies. These enterprises provide incentive to participate in resource conservation

3. The establishment of several alternative livelihood schemes such as sea grass aquaculture that are linked to resource conservation awareness and education.

4. Economic development plans reflect consideration of biodiversity criteria, indicators, and guidelines and EIAs and other assessment tools indicate development plans demonstrate low risk of negative impacts for the conservation of globally significant biodiversity at TRNMP.

12. Estimated Budget (in US$):

GEF PDF A 25,000PDF A (Co-financing) 10,000GEF 749,714Co-financing 974,707 (Packard Foundation, WWF, Local Communities and NGOs)Total 1,759,421

13. Information on Project Proposer

KKP in its capacity as an NGO representative of the Tubbataha Task Force is the project proposer. KKP is one of the 26 national organizations of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). KKP aims to conserve nature and ecological processes by preserving genetic, species and ecosystems diversity; ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable both now and in the longer term; and promoting actions to reduce the wasteful exploitation and consumption of resources and energy. Donors to KKP include the Ayala Foundation, A. Soriano Jr. Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Citibank, N.A., WWF-US, WWF-UK, WWF-International, DGIS, and DFID. KKP collaborates extensively with local conservation NGOs including Haribon, SAGUDA, the Tubbataha Foundation, and with conservation programs such as the USAID supported CRMP.

KKP has been focusing on the marine environment with its principal mandate to undertake model projects in biodiversity conservation in marine and coastal ecosystems and small islands in the Philippines. Its marine program is almost entirely concentrated in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas.Examples are:

Ecological studies and community conservation programs in the Turtle Islands. Research and monitoring of the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. Dugong, research and conservation program. Whale shark, manta ray research and conservation program. Development of management strategies for the kapiz shell industry. Pamilacan whale watching village development program. Sustainable livelihood systems for ornamental and live fish.

KKP is:

A NGO member of the Presidential Task Force for Tubbataha. The only NGO member of the Presidential Commission for the Sulu-Celebes Seas Integrated

Conservation and Development Zone. Member of the Core Team of WWF’s Endangered Seas Campaign. The only NGO member of the Inter-agency Task Force on Marine Mammal Conservation. Member of the Mindanao Marine Wildlife Watch Member of the Palawan NGO Network.

14. Information on proposed executing agency: KKP, same as above.

15. Date of initial submission of project concept:

INFORMATION OF INSTITUTION SUBMITTING PROJECT BRIEFProject identification number: 98516. Implementing Agency contact person:

Mr. Tim Boyle, GEF Regional Coordinator, UNDP/GEF/RBAPOne United Nations Plaza, Room DC1-2360, New York, New York, 10017Tel: (212) 906-6511, Fax: (212) 906-5825, E-mail: tim.boyle@undp.org

17. Project linkage to Implementing Agency program (s):

KKP is working with the Tubbataha Task Force, other Government agencies, individuals, and other NGOs such as the Tubbataha Foundation and SAGUDA, a Palawan-based NGO, to develop a program to conserve the rich marine resources of the TRNMP. This program includes supporting the patrolling and research activities of an interdisciplinary team comprised of representatives from the DND, biologists, resource management, and community outreach specialists. KKP is a member of the Tubbataha Task Force and is responsible for preparing funding proposals for Tubbataha and delivering public information campaigns throughout the nation.

ABBREVIATIONS

BFAR Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

CBD Convention of Biological Diversity

CPUE Catch Per Unit Effort

CRMP Coastal Resource Management Program

DA Department of Agriculture

DBM Department of Budget and Management

DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DFID Department for International Development (U.K.)

DGIS Directorate General for International Cooperation

DILG Department of Interior and Local Government

DND Department of National Defense

DOT Department of Tourism

ENRO Environment and Natural Resources Officer

GAs Government Agencies

GEF Global Environmental Facility

GIS Geographic Information System

LGUs Local Government Units

KKP Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas

MOA Memorandum of Agreement

MPAs Marine Protected Areas

NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

NIPAS National Integrated Protected Area System

PAMB Protected Area Management Board

PCSD Palawan Council for Sustainable Development

PDF Project Preparation and Development Facility

PNNI Palawan Network of NGOs Inc

SAGUDA Sagip Gubat at Dagat (translated as Save Forests and Seas)

SSLME Sulu Sulawesi Large Marine Ecosystem

TPAMB Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board

TRNMP Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park

UNDP United Nations Development Program

WWF World Wide Fund for Nature

Project Brief - Table of Contents

PROJECT DISCRIPTION........................................................................................................................1

1. BACKGROUND AND PROJECT CONTEXT 12. BASELINE COURSE OF ACTION 3

Threats 3History and Current Situation 4

3. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN 7Project Design 7

4. PROJECT OUTCOMES 94.1 Conservation Management 94.2 Conservation Awareness 114.3 Regulation, Policy, and Advocacy 114.4 Ecosystem Research and Monitoring 114.5 Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods 12

5. UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS 126. ACTIVITIES AND FINANCIAL INPUTS 13

Project Budget 14A.Conservation Management 14B. Conservation Awareness 16C. Regulations, Policy and Advocacy 16D. Ecosystem Research and Monitoring 16E. Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods 17

7. Sustainability Analysis and Risk Management188. Stakeholder Involvement and Social Assessment 20

9. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 21

AnnexesAnnex 1: Incremental Cost Assessment and MatrixAnnex 2: Implementation Arrangements and Work PlanAnnex 3: Stakeholder AnalysisAnnex 4: ReferencesAnnex 5: Letter of EndorsementAnnex 6: MapAnnex 7: Logical Framework

Project Brief

Conservation of the Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park and World Heritage Site

Project Description:

1. Background and Project Context:

Environmental Context: The Western Pacific is an extremely important area for marine conservation and environmental management, especially the Sulu-Sulawesi Large Marine Ecosystem (SSLME), i.e. the region circumscribed by Malaysia (Sabah), Philippines, and Indonesia. It contains outstanding natural resources, rich biological diversity, critical marine habitats, and is important to regional economies. The degradation of the marine resources of this region, call for immediate expansion of environmental management and conservation efforts.

The SSLME is a center of aggregation of marine species. This area harbors at least 450 species of corals whereas the entire Caribbean Sea has only 50 species (Miller, 1994). These coral reefs support a rich assemblage of marine life, including fish, mollusks and crustaceans on which many coastal communities depend. Nutrients and breeding grounds for many commercial species are provided in this habitat, as cited in Kelleher et al., 1995. In some cases, the fish taken from reef communities provide over half the protein intake of the local communities. It was estimated that coral reef fisheries comprise 8-10 percent of overall fish output in the Philippines; five percent in Indonesia; and over 20 percent in Sabah, Malaysia as cited in Kelleher et al., 1995. Echoing the need for protection of coral reefs, the SSLME is the center of genetic richness and diversity of seagrass in the world (Heck and McCoy, 1978). It has 16 known species of seagrass, second only to Australia with 17 species. These seagrasses form dense beds over large areas of coastal waters and perform a wide spectrum of biological functions, serving as habitat and nursery areas for fish, many invertebrates, turtles, and dugong (Kelleher et al., 1995). The region has at least 400 known species of marine algae, six (6) of the eight (8) species of marine turtles, and a minimum of 22 species of mostly endangered marine mammals.

Located at the center of the Sulu Sea, the Tubbataha coral reef complex is one of the world’s richest and most diverse marine ecosystems. In 1988, it was declared the Philippine’s first National Marine Park and in 1993 was designated as a World Heritage Site indicating the global concern for protecting this outstanding reef system. The 33,200-hectare Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park (TRNMP) harbors at least 379 species of corals belonging to at least 40 families (NRMC, 1983; Palanganas et al., 1985). There are seven (7) species of seagrass out of a total of 16 for the Philippines. Green and hawksbill sea turtles are common. The Tubbataha Reefs also support large populations of boobies, noddies, and terns, probably the largest assemblage of seabirds in the Sulu Sea. Several species of seabirds including the regionally threatened masked booby (Sula dactylatra), red footed booby (Sula sula), and great frigatebird (Fregata minor) roost in the area. Two globally threatened and endangered non-seabird species, the Chinese egret (Egretta eulopotes) and the Nordmann’s Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) were observed for the first time in Tubbataha in 1995 as cited by Manamtam, 1996. Research has suggested that Tubbataha is a possible source of fish larvae transported by currents to the reefs in the Sulu Sea west of Tubbataha (Alcala, 1993; Dolar and Alcala, 1993). As a source of larvae of marine organisms, Tubbataha Reefs could play a significant role in the sustainability of fisheries and marine resources in the eastern Palawan group

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of islands.

TRNMP is also home to numerous important pelagic fish species including tunas, mackerels, and jacks; at least six (6) species of sharks; at least four (4) species of dolphin; and two (2) species of whales. This flourishing of life has made TRNMP an important destination for dive tourism with approximately 1,000 divers a year visiting the reef, mostly from February to June.

Socioeconomic Context: There are no permanent residents living at TRNMP but fishers have historically camped there between February and July when the weather is calm. Declaring the reef as a National Park in 1988 largely eliminated the camping. However, some fishers still come to shore during seasons when tourists and patrol boats are largely absent. The nearest population center to the TRNMP is Cavili and Cagayancillo approximately 70 kilometers to the northeast. These islands are biogeographically related to the TRNMP and harbor extremely high levels of marine biological diversity as well. The Cagayancillo Island is home to approximately 6,124 residents with a per capita monthly income of approximately 54. This project is focused on conserving the marine resources of the TRNMP but also includes activities in Cagayancillo and Cavili.

Four main groups of fishers have historically harvested fish and other marine resources from TRNMP. These include fishers from Cagayancillo, Palawan, the Visayas and Southern Luzon, and foreign vessels from as far as Hong Kong and Taiwan. Fishers from Cagayancillo began intensive fishing in the early 1980s as competition in their traditional fishing grounds increased. By the 1990s most fishermen from Cagayancillo that were active in Tubbataha were two (2) to three (3) months a year, expanded by the late 1990s to 6 to 7 months a year and only abated during the very strong monsoons.

The largest potential economic benefit from TRNMP comes from the larvae generated by the reef complex. It is estimated that the gross economic benefit across the Sulu Sea from this larvae and the resulting fish catch exceeds 2.5 million US$ annually (Arquiza and White, 1994). The second largest single gross economic benefit comes from dive tourism at approximately two (2) million US$ per year, and third from fishing at one (1) million US$ per year. It is important to note, that these are estimates of gross economic benefit spread out over many stakeholders and do not reflect the costs incurred in securing these benefits. Numerous other benefits including biodiversity preservation, aesthetic values, and ecosystem services such as ecosystem support to important fisheries also emanate from TRNMP.

Project Context and Eligibility: The project supports the effective implementation of the Management Plan for TRNMP, which was endorsed by relevant stakeholders in a multi-stakeholder workshop last October, 1998. The project contributes to the achievement of the objectives of the NBSAP, through: the conservation of biodiversity through improved knowledge and management systems; research and development; better information available and institutional support mechanisms; the sustainable use of biodiversity; and the equitable sharing of the benefits of biodiversity.

The strategies of the NBSAP relevant to the project are:

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1. Expanding and improving knowledge on the extent, characteristics, uses and values of biological diversity; Enhancing and integrating existing and planned biodiversity conservation efforts with emphasis in in-situ activities; and

2. Advocating stronger international cooperation on biodiversity conservation and management.

Tubbataha is a Marine Protected Area covered under the NIPAS Act of 1992 and is linked to the Philippine “Agenda 21” which is designed to conserve the Biodiversity of the Philippines, of which Tubbataha is one of the most outstanding examples. As a NIPAS site, TRNMP is a high conservation priority for the Government of the Philippines.

The project is eligible for GEF financing under the Coastal, Marine, and Freshwater Ecosystems Operational Program in the Biodiversity Focal Area. The Philippines ratified the CBD in October 1993.

2. Baseline Course of Action

Threats

There has been a general decline in the condition of coral reefs in Tubbataha since 1984 (White:1998). By 1989 coral cover on the outer reefs had decreased by 24 per cent from five years earlier. Subsequent surveys have shown both increases and decreases in coral cover and fish populations, but the general trend is that the ecosystem has declined in health over the past fifteen years. There has been considerable physical damage to the reef in recent years from destructive fishing using dynamite and cyanide. Despite the decline, White (1998), suggests that “the reefs are still vibrant and can recover if protected.”

Both threats and activities can be organized into five main categories:

1. Conservation Management: According to the NIPAS Act, TRNMP is to be managed by TPAMB which is comprised of many stakeholder representatives including Government, local communities, and NGOs. The TPAMB and other stakeholder groups have insufficient resources to implement the effective and sustainable management of TRNMP. Likewise, the TPAMB is not yet officially operable and the roles of various TPAMB members remain unspecified thus limiting management efficacy. The enforcement of pertinent laws against illegal activities remains limited and destructive and illegal resource use continues. These destructive activities include gathering marine resources such as fish, sea turtles and their eggs, giant clams, magnificent shells, and other species at unsustainable levels. Destructive and illegal fishing practices such as the use of cyanide and dynamite continue to damage the reef ecosystem. Dive tourism threatens the reef both through anchor damage and divers disturbing marine life. Finally, a lack of secure long-term financing for conservation management makes the future of TRNMP uncertain.

2. Conservation Awareness: Public and decision maker awareness on the ecological and economic importance of TRNMP, Cavili, and Cagayancillo, as well as options for sustainable development, is low. Decision-makers are providing insufficient support to TRNMP. Community members and the broader constituency of the Sulu Sea do not appear to fully appreciate the long-term value of maintaining TRNMP and seem not well aware of sustainable

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management options. As a result, they continue to undertake and permit destructive activities. Dive operators and tourists also do not appear to fully appreciate their potential to damage the reef and their alternatives for sustainable management.

3. Regulations, Policy, and Advocacy: The current regulatory and policy framework needs to be reviewed. This framework may not be consistent with the complete conservation needs of the park and therefore may need to be adjusted to enhance conservation management. Likewise, the uncertainty of Government support in terms of appropriations severely limits management.

4. Ecosystem Research and Monitoring: Limited understanding of the reef’s condition, the frequency, source, and impact of destructive activities, and other factors limits the ability to manage and monitor the ecosystem.

5. Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods (A Root Cause): One primary root cause of resource degradation at TRNMP is believed to be a lack of sustainable resource use alternatives. This lack of livelihood opportunities has resulted primarily from degradation of the resources of Cagayancillo and Cavili islands. Although fishers from the nearby Cagayancillo and Cavili islands traditionally fish at Tubbataha, commercial fishing only started there in the 1980s. This seems to correlate with degradation of fishing grounds in Cagayancillo and Cavili islands. Increased foreign fishing in TRNMP is likely to have complex root causes; however, the permits for this fishing (which are provided by the municipality of Cagayancillo) is linked to a lack of resources in Cagayancillo and Cavili islands. The local Government sees the permits as a way to generate income, which has decreased along with fish resources in their area. As a result, much of the pressure in TRNMP results from a situation of diminished resources in Cagayancillo and Cavili islands. Communities have expressed a willingness to stop these practices if assisted in developing sustainable livelihood schemes. Likewise, experience elsewhere in the Philippines has indicated that community-based resource management in the form of reserves can actually increase fish catch in surrounding areas (Alcala, 1988). This would reduce the tendency to fish in TRNMP. Local people are interested in developing such management systems but need technical assistance.

History and Current Situation

Tubbataha was declared a National Marine Park in 1988. In 1992, TRNMP was designated as one of the initial components of the NIPAS Act, which provides a multi-sector approach to the management of protected areas through the organization of a Protected Area Management Board for each area.

A Presidential Task Force on TRNMP was created in July 1995. The Task Force is chaired by the Secretary of the DND. Its members include the DENR- Secretary, PCSD-Governor of Palawan as the representative of PCSD, DOT- Secretary, DBM-Secretary, Governor of Palawan, Mayor of Cagayancillo, Naval District IV Commander and two (2) NGO representatives. WWF-Philippines is an NGO member of the Task Force’s Executive Committee and Technical Working Group. The Presidential Task Force has drafted the TRNMP Management Plan but never had the opportunity to assess its acceptability to various stakeholder groups.

With the support of PDF-A funding, a Multi-stakeholder Workshop on the conservation of TRNMP

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was conducted in October, 1998. Two major accomplishments of the workshop were: 1.) a special meeting about the composition of the management body for the TRNMP, hereafter referred to as TPAMB and 2.) unanimous stakeholder endorsement of the TRNMP Management Plan. A MOA between DENR and PCSD was signed in 1998 and lists members of the TPAMB. The composition of the TPAMB as contained in the MOA includes the PCSD (Chairman), DENR Regional Executive Director (Vice-Chairman), Provincial ENRO (member), Municipal Mayor of Cagayancillo (member), President of the Cagayancillo-Association of Barangay Captains (member), AFP Western Command, and at least three (3) representatives from non-government organizations and local community organizations.

Conservation Management: Currently, the only ongoing conservation management activities are periodic enforcement patrolling supported by the Tubbataha Task Force with funding and personnel from DND and some research, monitoring, and education conducted by NGOs, primarily WWF-Philippines. Approximately eight (8) DND staff members are stationed in an outpost located on a sandbar in the middle of the reef complex. Funding provided by the DND paid for the construction of the original outpost station and has been sufficient to cover the salaries of the outposted staff and to fund approximately two (2) patrols per week over the past two (2) years. However, there is only one (1) patrol boat and this is often in disrepair. The funding for these staff and patrols which comprises a baseline of approximately $27,620 per year was provided by a decree from President Ramos before the end of his administration in June of 1998. However, the continuation of this amount will be subject to additional Presidential or Congressional appropriation. The military commander for the region has committed to doing whatever he can to support TRNMP. He has made it clear, however, that the Government needs partners in this effort and it will be difficult to increase the number of patrols unless partners are more active in the conservation of the Park.

While the current patrols are essential to the conservation of Tubbataha, they are not sufficient in number to ensure adequate protection of the reef. Given the size and configuration of the reef, military staff are unable to see the majority of the reef from their outpost. They must patrol the reef, which is 33,200 hectares in area, on a daily basis in order to dissuade violations. The patrol boats are too slow to apprehend park regulation violators and cannot be used in extreme weather. Likewise, there is insufficient communications capacity to make patrolling safe.

PDF-A funds enabled the Task Force to complete a final draft of the management plan and call an initial meeting of the TPAMB. The draft was endorsed by a cross section of stakeholders at the October 22 and 23, 1998 Multi-stakeholder workshop. However, the TPAMB must still officially meet and ratify the Management Plan for it to come into full effect. Once the TPAMB and Congress ratify the Management Plan, the Government is legally able but not required to provide an appropriation for the management of the park. Given the current economic situation in the Philippines, it is likely that this appropriation will not come for two (2) or more years and not to exceed $50,000 per year. As a result, this potential appropriation is not included in the project baseline and the GEF support and the co-financing is essential to the conservation of the Park.

Conservation Awareness: Destructive activities in TRNMP continue largely because stakeholders are not sufficiently aware of the area’s economic and ecological value and do not have the knowledge necessary to develop sustainable resource management strategies. Presently, there are no targeted conservation awareness or education activities ongoing with communities or decision-

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makers. During patrols, NGOs provide awareness messages; however, there is a need to establish a targeted awareness and education effort. A stakeholder assessment undertaken in Cagayancillo indicated that communities are generally aware of the problem of resource depletion but are very unaware of their options to manage resources more sustainably. As a result, they continue to use resources unsustainably in Cagayancillo, Cavili, and TRNMP. Degradation of subsistence resources in Cagayancillo and Cavili has compelled people both to fish in TRNMP and to permit fishing by foreign vessels. Likewise, the value of the larvae and ecosystem services of TRNMP to the entire Sulu Sea (exceeding 2.5 million US$ per year) is not well appreciated. There is a significant need to raise awareness of this economic value among decision-makers and to inform all stakeholders of the alternatives for the sustainable development of TRNMP.

Regulations, Policy, and Advocacy: Only limited policy analysis relevant to Tubbataha has been undertaken to date. The Management Plan suggests a set of needed policy and regulatory changes; however, no detailed analysis has occurred. There is an additional need for policy liaison to help ensure that Congress provides an annual appropriation to support management of the Park. Local Palawan-based NGOs have contributed to the conservation of TRNMP primarily through in-kind activism in Palawan. This activism would continue without the project, but would likely diminish somewhat without the motivation created by the project. Ecosystem Research and Monitoring: Numerous biological surveys have been conducted at Tubbataha in the past decade. However, these have not been coordinated to enable data from one survey to be easily compared to data from another. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately monitor trends in the condition of the ecosystem and to apply this knowledge to management. To remedy this problem current surveys are setting up an easily replicable system that will enable comparison over time. Since March of 1997, KKP has been conducting biological monitoring trips three to four times annually. These trips have collected important information about the condition of the reef and the effect of management activities. Monitoring of resource use and violations is also critical to understanding the conservation needs of the reef.

Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods: There has been no effort to assist the people of Cagayancillo or Cavili to establish sustainable resource management systems and livelihood strategies. However, it is apparent that the current fishing pressure in TRNMP largely occurs because resources are depleted in Cagayancillo and Cavili islands. People cannot find sufficient food and commercial fish at home and therefore have to go to TRNMP to fish. Experience in the Philippines has demonstrated increase in fish species (White, 1987), fish abundance (Russ, 1985; White, 1988) and fish catch as determined by CPUE values (Russ and Alcala, 1994) in community managed reserves. It has also been shown that marine reserves can also increase fish abundance and fish yield in adjacent non-reserve areas (Alcala, 1988). As a result, it is important that this project help communities establish local reserves to increase fish catch and therefore reduce pressure on TRNMP. Likewise, livelihood strategies such as seaweed farming can be linked to conservation and reduce fishing pressure on TRNMP.

3. Project Objectives and Design

The overall objective of the proposed conservation initiative is in the long-term to conserve the unique and relatively pristine condition of the globally significant biological diversity and ecological processes of the TRNMP and to manage TRNMP and the surrounding area on a

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sustainable and ecologically sound basis.

Immediate objectives include:

1. Conservation Management: Bring about the effective long-term conservation management of TRNMP

2. Conservation Awareness: Raise awareness regarding the importance of conserving TRNMP such that stakeholders (local communities, Government, dive operators, tourists, and others) are aware of and actively participating in conservation

3. Regulations, Policy, and Advocacy: Ensure that relevant policies, regulations, and Government appropriations support conservation and resource management in TRNMP

4. Ecosystem Research and Monitoring: Enhance both ecological understanding and adaptive management of TRNMP and nearby reefs through an ecosystem research and monitoring program

5. Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods: Enhance conservation by developing and implementing effective community-based resource management and livelihood strategies

Project Design

The project is building on lessons learned in marine and coastal conservation projects to bring about the most efficient and effective program of action for TRNMP. The following summary highlights several features that were emphasized in the document Lesson’s learned in GEF International Waters and Marine Biodiversity Projects (Hudson, 1998), and provides and explanation of ways in which the project will adopt and build on these lessons.

1. Flexibility and Adaptive Management: The project design allows for management flexibility based on changing needs in TRNMP. The project staff expertise covers a base of needs including conservation biology, community outreach, sustainable livelihood development but will be able to adapt and change activities and management approaches as project evaluations recommend. There is a great deal of emphasis on regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure the project management unit is aware of changing priorities and project progress.

2. Local Project Management Combined With Capacity Building And Institutional Strengthening: The TRNMP will be co-managed by the numerous stakeholders represented on the TPAMB including local people and NGOs. Because the TPAMB is newly constituted, KKP will be in charge of day to day operations and management of the project, and continually work with the TPAMB to build its capacity to manage the TRNMP. It is expected that management of TRNMP will be entirely conducted by the TPAMB within 4 years. The project is working with local communities to ensure that they have the skills and expertise needed to participate fully in the co-management arrangement of the TPAMB.

3. Practical and Simple Approaches: The project is designed to maximize the overlap of stakeholder interests while promoting and achieving the conservation of the outstanding

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biodiversity of TRNMP. The project is organized around the 5 simple objectives listed above. Project approaches to pursue these objectives are based on conservation tools that have proven effective in marine conservation management including:

Enhancement of local capacity to manage TRNMP including institutional capacity, training for local communities and resource managers, and enhancing enforcement capacity.

Conservation Awareness including raising the awareness of both the need for conservation and of conservation options among all stakeholder groups

The development of community-based reserves and compatible livelihood strategies as an alternative to destructive activities

Regular ecological monitoring Management Flexibility Development of sustainable financing mechanisms

4. Institutional and Financial Sustainability: The project is emphasizing both institutional and financial sustainability. The TPAMB is mandated by the NIPAS Act to undertake TRNMP management and through this project will gain the needed expertise and capacity to undertake this management in the long-term. The project is working to assess and establish means for sustainable financing of the recurring costs of conservation management, including patrols and enforcement activities. Recent surveys have indicated that willingness to pay among dive tourists will enable the development of a conservation user fee system that will be sufficient to pay for recurring patrol costs. A mandatory diving fee will be instituted during the 2000 dive season.

5. Sound Science: The project is developing a Ecological Research and Monitoring Program both to record the baseline condition of the reef and to enable monitoring of changes in the ecology of the reef as the project proceeds. Ecological monitoring of alternative livelihood strategies and community based reserves will also be pursued. This monitoring will allow the project to assess ways in which its interventions have impacted the reef in the long-term and to identify new areas of concern. Also, the project will emphasis monitoring of coral regrowth as the reef recovers from the recent bleaching event.

6. Project Timing: Sequencing of activities is important. Many early actions can help to create the support needed from various stakeholder groups. WWF has been working with stakeholder groups for the past two years to prepare for the launching of this project. Several workshops and trainings with local communities, DENR, local NGOs and other stakeholders have helped to prepare for the expansion of this project that will commence upon approval of the GEF Medium Grant.

7. Successful Projects Make Good Use of Lessons (their own and others): This project is built upon lessons from numerous other projects in the Philippines and the experience of the GEF in coastal and marine projects (Hudson, 1998, Nakashima, 1997). This project is working directly with the USAID Coastal Resources Management Project (CRMP) to build on their significant experience implementing coastal conservation in the Philippines. As mentioned the project is also emphasizing monitoring and evaluation as well as management flexibility.

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4. Project Outcomes:

4.1. Conservation Management:

4.1.1. Management structure and infrastructure functioning effectively: . One of the primary objectives of this project is to develop and operationalize a management structure that will be effective in the long-term. The TPAMB was recently formed and is mandated to take over the management of TRNMP. However, the exact role of the TPAMB as well as the roles of various members need to be determined. The TPAMB will need considerable assistance over the next several years to develop capacity to effectively manage TRNMP. DENR and other relevant stakeholders (both Governmental and non-governmental) are committed to operationalizing the TPAMB but do not have the resources to fully support all management meetings, infrastructure, and activities. TPAMB member agencies support the TPAMB through the provision of both representatives and by providing stakeholder staff to help facilitate TPAMB activities. Initially, the project will be managed by KKP on behalf of the TPAMB, but as capacity within the TPAMB builds, it will take over the management of TRNMP.

4.1.2. Approved Management Plan under effective implementation: The TRNMP Management Plan was endorsed by stakeholders in October, 1998. Many of the expected outcomes of this project correspond directly with the six strategies of the Management Plan, which are:

Curtail resource destruction through effective patrols by a roving education-cum-law enforcement group

Create of TPAMB (completed) Establish the Tubbataha Park Management Office Actively pursue community development in the Cagayancillo and Cavili Islands, which

include livelihoods and sustainable resource management activities Develop a long-term research and monitoring scheme Develop a management scheme for the expansion of the TRNMP

It is expected that the TRNMP Management Plan will be implemented by a Management Unit, which will act as the field implementation arm of the TPAMB (See full implementation arrangements in Annex 2). This Management Unit would have a much larger mandate than the existing Monitoring and Research Teams, which it will replace. Activities to be carried out by the Management Unit include patrolling, stakeholder training, capacity strengthening for the TPAMB, awareness and education, research and monitoring, community-based resource management and livelihoods). Initially, KKP would manage the Management Unit on behalf of the TPAMB. The TPAMB will remain in charge of the Park at all times, but KKP’s would apply its considerable experience managing integrated projects at MPAs on behalf of the TPAMB. As the TPAMB builds its capacity, it would take over the direct management of this Management Unit. The Management Unit would be constituted by both direct hire project staff as well as by stakeholder staff, which would be provided by various stakeholders. Commitments from stakeholders have been motivated to some degree by the momentum created by the initiation of significant conservation action

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(i.e., this project) in TRNMP. By the end of the fourth year, the project hopes to secure Government appropriation for the management of the Park. If this eventuates, this appropriation will help to support the TPAMB and the Management Unit.

4.1.3. An effective Marine Law Enforcement Program curtailing resource destruction. A long-term strategy for marine law enforcement must be developed and implemented and resource user fees should be directed to help support this enforcement. This enforcement must focus on prosecution as well apprehension to help dissuade subsequent violations. Enhancement of enforcement at TRNMP will be accompanied by review and updating of guidelines for enforcement and consideration of the enforcement strategy in relevant regulatory and development mechanisms (such as national enforcement guidelines, development plans by the Palawan Council on Sustainable Development, and tourism development strategies).

4.1.4. Stakeholders’ capacity to enable long term sustainable resource management

enhanced. The Management Plan notes that limited capacity to manage natural resources in Tubbataha presents a long-term threat to the area’s biological values. Training in resource management, stakeholder processes, effective patrolling, biological monitoring, and other aspects of park management is necessary for the TPAMB, Management Unit, and other relevant stakeholders. One of the primary objectives of this project will be to work with relevant stakeholders to enable them to develop sufficient capacity to fully manage TRNMP without outside support. As a result, training comprises a significant component of this project.

4.1.5. A well managed tourism sector contributing to conservation. Currently dive tourism at TRNMP is not well regulated. Although a few anchor buoys have been installed, anchors are still damaging the reef and divers are reported to be damaging the reef. It is important to develop guidelines for the regulation of the dive industry, develop diver and dive operator education and awareness modules, and establish a mandatory fee that will accrue to a long-term financial mechanism (e.g. trust fund) to help support the conservation management of the Park.

4.1.6. Financing to ensure long term conservation management secured. Government support is unlikely to cover the recurring costs of conservation at TRNMP. As a result, the TPAMB is interested in developing a sustainable finance mechanism. This will include review of current funding sources, funding needs, potential revenue sources, and mechanisms to encourage sustainable finance. A Trust Fund for TRNMP will be a major component of a sustainable financing plan. The Trust Fund would set up in compliance with relevant laws in the Philippines. Funds from the GEF project will be used to undertake the necessary legal and technical work to establish and administer the fund. WWF has conducted “willingness to pay” surveys which indicate dive user fees could total approximately $75,000 annually. Fortunately, during the course of this project fees can accrue to rather than being used for management activities. As a result, during the next four years, an endowment will be built to help cover the recurring costs of conservation. . Revenues from this endowment and annual fees are likely to cover the costs of patrolling and enforcement. However, additional funds will be needed to cover other aspects of management. As a result, Government appropriations an additional donations into this endowment will be

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sought. 4.1.7. Approved zonation plan under effective implementation. Currently TRNMP has a zonation plan; however, this must be assessed on its conservation merits and the most effective plan may need to be put in place.

Establishment of Jessie Beazley Reef and Bastera Reef as a protected area assessed. These nearby reefs also harbor very significant marine biodiversity. Ecological assessments to understand the baseline reef condition are needed to assess the Jessie Beazley Reef and Bastera Reef as candidate protected areas.

4.2. Conservation Awareness

4.2.1. Local communities, Government, dive operators, and tourists are aware, supportive of, and involved in conservation. Awareness, information, and education activities for stakeholder groups such as local communities, Government, tourism operators, and tourists are needed. Increased awareness will help to enhance stakeholder support for management efforts in TRNMP.

4.3. Regulations, Policy, Advocacy

4.3.1. Legislation, regulation, and appropriation support the sustainable management of TRNMP.

Current regulations and policies for TRNMP as well as several national laws including the NIPAS Act must be reviewed to identify areas for strengthening. It is also critical that Congress ratify the TRNMP Management Plan and appropriate funds to support TRNMP. Likewise, as the project proceeds all experience in enhancing enforcement, developing community-based resource management and alternative livelihood strategies, executing protected area management, and other project lessons will be reflected in policy related recommendations to enhance MPA management at Tubbataha and in the Philippines in general.

4.4. Ecosystem Research and Monitoring

4.4.1. Ecosystems research and monitoring of TRNMP and surrounding reefs strengthened thereby improving knowledge on ecosystems and adaptive management. While the condition of the reef has been assessed periodically over the past several years, a regular, uninterrupted monitoring regime needs to be put into place in order to fully understand changes in the reefs condition and to enable adaptive management accordingly.

4.4.2. A GIS database containing pertinent ecological, socioeconomic and resource use information used by TPAMB in management. This database will include relevant ecological and socioeconomic information on TRNMP and the surrounding area including Cagayancillo and Cavili islands.

4.5. Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods

4.5.1. Understanding of resource use and socio-economic factors leading to resource

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depletion in TRNMP, Cagayancillo, and Cavili increased. It is critical to better understand resource use and socioeconomic patterns in order to develop sustainable resources use and livelihood strategies to enhance biodiversity conservation in TRNMP.

4.5.2. Community-based resource management strategies implemented including the management of local reserves. Experience in the Philippines has indicated that locally managed marine reserves can significantly increase fish catch for local communities, often within three (3) years of designating a reserve. This increased catch can enable communities to reduce fishing pressure on target conservation areas. The project will work with communities in Cagayancillo and Cavili to develop locally managed reserves as a tool to reduce exploitation pressure in TRNMP and to conserve the biodiversity of these inhabited islands.

4.5.3. Community-based livelihood projects that are linked to conservation management implemented. Local communities from Cagayancillo and Cavili view the TRNMP’s resources as important to their well being. A recent stakeholder analysis indicated that local barangays could potentially be satisfied with assistance in developing livelihood strategies in exchange for what they feel is their traditional right of access to resources in TRNMP. As a result, the project will assist local people to pursue livelihood strategies that are linked to sustainable resource management and conservation.

Overall Desired Outcomes:

Ecosystem health of TRNMP improves and the Park’s biodiversity and ecosystem processes are conserved in the long-term

Stakeholders are satisfied with and participate in the management of TRNMP and surrounding areas

5. Underlying Assumptions

In order to bring about the effective long-term conservation of the TRNMP, several environmental and developmental assumptions affect the project. These include:

The most effective biological management regime is likely to significantly limit fishing or extractive activities within the park boundaries and maximize the value of the area for larval dispersal and the development of tourism.

The implementation of an effective management regime will depend on involving local people while strengthening law enforcement.

Long-term success of the management regime will require sustainable financing.

Conservation of the resources of TRNMP is dependent on resource conservation in the surrounding areas, specifically the islands of Cavili and Cagayancillo.

Local communities will be willing to work with the project to improve long-term resource management if it benefits their economic situation.

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Stakeholders and resource management agencies are willing and able to increasingly take over and carry on conservation management activities after the project is complete.

6. Activities and Financial Inputs

The project is requesting $749,714 from the GEF. The baseline for the project activities totals $768,480 from the Government, WWF, USAID, the associated Coastal Resource Management Project, local NGOs, and local communities. Co-financing is being provided by the Packard Foundation, WWF-US, Government, local communities, and local NGOs. Total Co-financing is $974,707.

This project intends to conserve the globally significant biological diversity of the TRNMP through a participatory stakeholder driven process. Project activities will complement existing activities, which thus far have been insufficient to ensure long-lasting conservation outcomes. The project will work to immediately halt practices that negatively impact the TRNMP, while simultaneously setting the foundation for long-term sustainable conservation. Immediate activities to stop reef destruction will include increased patrolling and enforcement of regulations on fishing and tourism.

Longer-term measures include the implementation of the TRNMP Management Plan, identification of the roles and responsibilities of TPAMB members, conservation awareness and education, stakeholder training in resource management, policy advocacy, development of sustainable resource management and livelihood strategies, establishment of long-term financing mechanisms, as well as continued enforcement of regulations. One of the primary features of the project is its emphasis on training and capacity building of project staff, local communities, TPAMB members, local NGOs, and others as appropriate. Actual training modules will comprise a relatively small portion of the overall project; however, all project activities will emphasis training and capacity building. More experienced project staff will be paired with less experienced staff and an internship program will provide opportunities for Philippines students to be directly involved in the project Ecological surveys will be conducted to gather information but also to act as a training mechanism. Likewise, a great deal of community based training will be conducted by project staff on the development of community-based reserves, and alternative livelihood development. The goal of emphasizing training and capacity building in every aspect of the project is the eventual turnover of all management activities to the TPAMB and its constituents.

Project Budget

Component GEF Other Sources Project TotalPDF: 25,000 10,000 35,000Personnel: 340,993 518,916 859,909Sub-contracts: 10,870 51,180 62,049Training: 69,565 104,492 174,057Equipment: 267,391 277,224 544,615Travel: 28,261 14,927 43,188Evaluation Missions: 21,740 0 21,739Executing Agency Costs:Miscellaneous: 10,894 7,968 18,863

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Project Total (PDF + project costs) 774,714 984,707 1,759,421

A. Conservation Management: (Total: $1,416,658. GEF: $708,307. Non-GEF: $708,351)

A.1. Establish and operationalize a management structure and establish infrastructure (Total: $280,370. GEF: $150,247. Non-GEF: $130,123)

Identify roles and obligations of TPAMB members Support establishment of the Tubbataha Park Management and Project Offices (Construct

one Office in Cagayancillo, Rent one in Puerto Princesa, and support administration function in Manila. The project office will serve as the Management Office initially and as the project phased out the assets of this office will be taken over by the Park Management)

Provide advice on management and operations Repair and Maintain Field Station in TRNMP Maintain a system of regular TPAMB meetings and evaluations of management Establish fora and mechanisms whereby stakeholders may express their concerns and

opinions Review annual action plans, financial and administrative reports

A.2 Assist the TPAMB in implementing the approved TRNMP Management Plan (Total: $656,676. GEF: $329,140. Non-GEF: $327,536)

Form the Management Unit and Field Team. This includes hiring project staff and bringing stakeholder and DND staff on board

Provide technical assistance, expertise, and resources to the TPAMB in implementing the approved Management Plan

Hold periodic reviews of the plan, its implementation, as well as consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders to update the plan

A.3 Strengthen the enforcement of pertinent laws and regulations through an effective patrol program. (Total: $307,446. GEF: $175,683. Non-GEF: $131,763)

Establish and train park station teams and ensure provision of logistic support for effective work

Secure boats, equipment, and maintenance for patrols and secure logistical support from GAs Install and maintain perimeter mooring buoys Establish and strengthen linkages with existing monitoring systems and other law

enforcement agencies

A.4 Develop and implement a strategy to increase resource management capacity among TPAMB members and other stakeholders. (Total: $126,250. GEF: $41,407. Non-GEF: $84,843)

Assess training and capacity building needs of relevant stakeholder groups the DENR,

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BFAR, DND, local NGOs, local communities, local educators, and others as appropriate Develop a strategy to address training needs in each of the above areas Develop and implement training modules in resource management for TPAMB, staff,

Government, and local communities Network with other NGOs and organizations to access training Establish an internship program to enable the participation of at least one intern per year in

the project. More interns will be supported if additional funding can be identified Ensure that stakeholders access need training and capacity building opportunities such that

they are able to implement conservation activities in TRNMP in the long-term

A.5 Formulate and implement guidelines in regulating the use of TRNMP as an ecological destination. (Total: $5,916. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $5,916)

Assess existing tourism policy and practices Work with tourism operators to understand their needs and interests Develop a tourism code of conduct Enlist tourism operators to assist with reporting of violations and public education

Develop awareness and education modules for tourism operators and tourists

A.6 Develop and implement a plan to support the long-term financing of resource management activities in TRNMP. (Total: $20,000. GEF: $11,830. Non-GEF: $8,170)

Assess the current fee and tax structure including both origins of revenue and uses of revenue

Undertake feasibility studies for a long-term financing mechanism and identify sources of funding

Establish an appropriate and sustainable long-term financing mechanism

A.7 Develop and implement a zonation plan. (Total: $10,000. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $10,000) Consider potential zonation plans Prepare zonation proposals and discuss in open stakeholder forum Select and implement the most effective zonation plan

A.8 Undertake biological assessments of Jessie Beazley Reef and Bastera Reef and lobby its establishment as a protected area (Total: $10,000. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $10,000)

Undertake a special research trip to conduct baseline assessments Develop management patrolling and monitoring regime Management Board vote for the establishment of Jessie Beazley Reef and Bastera Reef as a

protected area Appropriate project and other funds to include recommended activities

B. Conservation Awareness: (Total: $54,674. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $54,674)

B.1. Develop and implement an information, education, and communication program (Total: $54,674. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $54,674)

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Work with community groups and NGOs to create and disseminate culturally appropriate outreach materials

Work with Government, decision makers, local communities, diver operators, and tourists to increase awareness of and participation in conservation

C. Regulations, Policy, and Advocacy: (Total: $22,317. GEF: $US$ 5,915. Non-GEF: $US$ 16,402)

C.1. Undertake policy analysis and liaison to increase Government support for Tubbataha and to strengthen relevant legislation and regulations associated with TRNMP and other marine protected areas. (Total: $22,317. GEF: $US$ 5,915. Non-GEF: $US$ 16,402)

Conduct a review of policies and regulations at TRNMP Assist in enabling the gazettement of the TRNMP Review the NIPAS Act and other national policies as relevant to TRNMP and other MPAs Work with various agencies and statutory bodies to fill any statutory or regulatory gaps at

TRNMP Lobby for continued appropriations to support conservation management in TRNMP

D. Ecosystem Research and Monitoring (Total: $96,606. GEF: $23,662. Non-GEF: $72,944)

D.1. Formulate and execute an ecological research and monitoring program for TRNMP and nearby reefs (Total: $69,269. GEF: $23,662. Non-GEF: $ 45,608)

Compile all historical research and monitoring projects and identify gaps and priorities to develop a research and monitoring program for TRNMP

Design an integrated monitoring and evaluation system to update the baseline information on TRNMP

Support and enhance all relevant research and monitoring activities Establish a national network of research entities for TRNMP As needed, formulate policies on research and monitoring activities in TRNMP Communicate research results to the general public Document the management and monitoring process undertaken to allow replication to other

sites. Adaptively manage TRNMP based on results of research and monitoring

D.2 Develop a GIS database on TRNMP and surrounding areas such as the Cagayancillo and Cavili islands, Jessie Beazley Reef, and Bastera Reef. (Total: $27,337. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $27,337)

Purchase necessary GIS equipment and supplies Work with the Management Unit to collect needed GIS data Work with various research institutions to access remote sensing data and to investigate

applicability of various remote sensing monitoring techniques for ecosystem health Train TPAMB in how to use GIS in park management (costed in Section A.4: Develop and

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implement a strategy to increase resource management capacity among TPAMB…) Use GIS database for educational and public information purposes

E. Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods (Total: $134,166. GEF: $11,830. Non-GEF: $ 122,336)

E.1 Undertake socioeconomic, resource use, and attitudinal assessments in the Cagayancillo and Cavili islands and other areas impacting TRNMP. (Total: $21,869. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $21,869).

Hire consultants and engage staff to undertake socioeconomic, resource use, and attitudinal assessments

Follow up on these assessments periodically to assess changes in socioeconomic conditions, resource use, and attitudes

E.2 Work with local communities in Cagayancillo and Cavili islands to develop and implement a community-based sustainable resource management strategy including lcommunity-based “no take” zones. (Total: $17,297. GEF: $11,830. Non-GEF: $5,467)

Provide and communicate information on the benefits of community-managed “no take” zones

Assist communities to assess resource use, fisheries, and resource condition Assist communities to identify candidate sites that are most likely to contribute to the

conservation of biodiversity both in the Cagayan Islands and in Tubbataha. Assist communities to undertake baseline surveys in candidate sites Establish a framework and for managing “no take” zones Develop a community-based reserve monitoring Provide and assist communities to access and manage startup funds Provide training for communities with a target of terminating assistance Link community resource management to conservation through the information and

education program

E.3 Work with local communities in Cagayancillo and Cavili islands to develop a livelihood strategy that is linked to conservation management. (Total: $80,000. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $80,000)

Undertake feasibility studies for livelihood enterprises Encourage improvement of transportation systems to enable marketing of products Provide and assist communities to access small grants to support enterprise development Help communities to access technical assistance required to set up sustainable livelihood

strategies Integrate livelihood strategies with the information and education program Ensure that livelihood strategies are compatible with the conservation of the globally

significant biodiversity of TRNMP

E.4. Work with all key stakeholders to ensure that proposed developments adequately consider guidelines, criteria, and indicators for biodiversity conservation and

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demonstrate sufficiently low risk of causing negative impact to globally significant biodiversity (Total: $15,000. GEF: $0. Non-GEF: $15,000)

Develop good relationship with developers and planning agencies Track development plans that have potential to affect TRNMP Develop criteria for environmental compatible development as needed Review EIAs for any specific developments that might impact biodiversity at TRNMP Use SEAMARIS information system to model possible impacts of various developments Liaise with relevant planning agencies Lobby for inclusion of guidelines and criteria for biodiversity conservation in relevant

development plans and policy and regulatory mechanisms

7. Sustainability Analysis and Risk Assessment:

This project is designed to ensure that conservation of TRNMP’s biodiversity continues long after the project’s termination. The project places significant emphasis on training among primary stakeholders including the TPAMB and local communities such that they will enhance requisite skills to take on the long-term management of the Park. As a result of training and capacity building, a cadre of well trained resource managers and local people will be equipped to pursue management and sustainable development for the long-term protection of TRNMP.

The project staff will be enhanced by stakeholder staff provided by DENR, PCSD, the DND, PNNI, and the local communities. These stakeholder staff and the project staff will form the Management Unit for the implementation of the project. It is anticipated that several members of the Management Unit will become the permanent staff of the Park. The Management Unit will eventually be completely managed by the TPAMB; however, during this project, as the TPAMB builds its capacity, the Management Unit will be managed by KKP (see Implementation arrangements, Annex 2). During this period, the TPAMB will participate in all management decisions and gain the skills to manage the Management Unit and the Park. It is expected that within three to six years the activities of this project should have sufficiently empowered local communities that they will be able to initiate and manage conservation related sustainable livelihood activities with minimal assistance. Local NGOs will be able to provide this assistance.

It is expected that by the fourth year of the project, the local reserves established in Cagayancillo and Cavili will have resulted in increased fish stocks thus inspiring local people to manage these areas and set up additional areas. The set up and management of initial areas will include training thus providing local communities with sufficient skills to set up subsequent areas. The continued economic benefits from the increased fish stocks in combination with livelihoods should reduce local people’s motivation to violate the rules of TRNMP. This linkage will be emphasized through the conservation awareness component of the project.

The development of a sustainable financing mechanism is recommended by the Management Plan and included within this project. To ensure that the sustainable financing mechanism is developed in the most effective manner, a review will be completed to summarize TRNMP’s long-term financial requirements including management costs, maintenance costs, patrol costs, and benefits to local communities who feel they should receive some rent in exchange for sacrificing resource access. The project will then focus on the feasibility and logistics of developing long-term

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financing mechanisms such as user fees, resource extraction taxes, trust funds, and other funding vehicles.

The TPAMB is planning on developing a Trust Fund utilizing fees from diver tourism and other sources. This Trust Fund will be a main component of the sustainable financing plan. However, additional effort will also be focused on encouraging the Government to make regular appropriations to support TRNMP.

During the 1999 dive season, WWF carried out “willingness to pay” surveys. Foreign divers on average indicated a willingness to pay $50 for conservation while Filipino divers on average indicated a willingness to pay $25 for conservation. The likely revenue flow from user fees at this level has been calculated at approximately $75,000 per year. Twenty five percent of this amount may need to be channeled into a DENR national fund which is mandated by the NIPAS law. The TPAMB is currently in discussion with the DENR hoping that this policy will be waived and 100% of the user fees will go to pay the recurring costs of conservation at TRNMP. At a minimum, the remaining 75% (estimated $56,000) would be made available for the recurring cost of conservation management at Tubbataha. Over the first four years of project implementation, it is proposed that these annual funds would be allowed to accrue to an endowment fund. Through this mechanism approximately $220,000 USD would be in the endowment by the end of the GEF MSP. This will provide an additional $10,000 to $20,000 annually to also help pay the recurring costs of conservation management.

The management plan and TPAMB will continue to function long after the termination of this project. As a NIPAS Protected Area, TRNMP may eventually receive an annual appropriation for its management. While this funding will be insufficient to cover the entire costs of adequately protecting the areas biological diversity, it would provide a core of funding for staff salaries and some activities. In combination with proceeds from a long-term financial mechanism, this should be sufficient to ensure the long-term management of the Park. Unfortunately, this appropriation is not certain. Despite the passage of the NIPAS law in 1992, there is yet to be any appropriation MPAs. As a result, this anticipated appropriation has not been counted in the baseline or the incremental costs of this project. As part of the policy component of the project, staff will lobby for the appropriation of funding for TRNMP.

The project is collaborating with numerous NGOs, which are very likely to continue working in the area long after this project terminates. Training for these NGOs will be pursued strategically to help provide them with skills they will need both during and after the project.

8. Stakeholder Involvement and Social Assessment:

With support from a PDF-A Grant, a stakeholder analysis was completed in August of 1998 . The primary stakeholders identified include: the DENR, DND, PCSD, local NGOs, local communities from Cagayancillo, Cavili, and Palawan, dive tourism operators, fishers from distant islands such as Palawan and Cebu. This analysis not only helped to elucidate the opinions and concerns of various stakeholders but also strengthened the process of stakeholder participation in the development of this project.

The objectives of most stakeholder groups are compatible and there is much overlap that can be

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maximized to enhance biodiversity conservation and the quality of life for local communities. One of the most important stakeholder groups are the communities of the Cagayan Islands which traditionally controlled the resources of TRNMP. A Management Planning Workshop in Cagayancillo held on September 14, 1998, indicated that stakeholder consultation and involvement in management of the Park has been insufficient to date. Community members expressed that they do not fully understand the meaning of various laws and regulations. As a result, both stakeholder involvement and an outreach effort to explain the implications of various regulations will be pursued.

Encouraging full participation by legitimate stakeholder groups and local communities is a cornerstone of this project. While the existing co-management arrangement of the TPAMB includes local communities, additional effort must be expended to ensure that this co-management arrangement encourages the full participation of local communities. Experience in marine conservation programs indicates that local people are often marginalized in co-management arrangements, such as that at Tubbataha (where local communities and other stakeholder groups cooperatively sit on the TPAMB). Marginalization of communities must be addressed from the onset of any co-management arrangement. An effective technique to encourage community participation is to assist communities to develop their own community-managed reserves and alternative livelihood strategies. Experience setting up and managing community-based reserves provides communities with skills needed to engage co-management arrangements for target protected areas. In the case of TRNMP, reserves are expected to also take pressure off critical biodiversity by increasing fish abundance and catch in the Cagayan Islands. Communities from the Cagayan Islands who are the main community stakeholders of TRNMP, are very interested in developing community based reserves and alternative livelihood strategies and have been participating in the TPAMB since its formation. They have expressed concern regarding resource declines in the Cagayan Islands and regarding foreign fishing of resources at TRNMP. Thus far they are genuinely working with the TPAMB to promote their resource and economic interests. Fortunately, local communities have also expressed that they are willing to pursue compatible livelihood strategies as possible alternatives to the use of resources from TRNMP. Sea grass cultivation offers potentially viable alternative, while local reserves are also likely to increase fish abundance and improve economic conditions.

1. The project has also undertaken additional steps to encourage full participation of local communities including:

1. Community members, represented by Barangay Captains will participate in Management Planning Workshops.

2. The Mayor of Cagayancillo is a member of the TPAMB.

3. The results of all Task Force and Management Board meetings will be disseminated to and discussed with communities through periodic workshops and dialogues.

4. Communities will be asked for inputs before significant TPAMB decisions are made.

5. The project will design and implement an environmental awareness program.

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6. All stakeholders are included in management decisions through their representatives on the TPAMB.

9. Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

Regular monitoring of the project will be carried out based on the indicators that are included in the Project Summary. Also, a log-frame is under preparation and will be distilled into an overall project work-plan as well as individual work-plans that will be prepared by each relevant project staff under the supervision of the project manager. Workplans both for the project overall and for individual staff will be prepared including a general four-year work-plan and an annual work-plan for the first year.

In the third quarter of each year, project staff will review the past year’s work-plan and a new annual work-plan will be developed for the entire project. This work-plan review will assess project progress relative to the objectives, outcomes, and indicators defined in the log-frame. Also, as various aspects of the project become clearer, the log-frame will be adapted to update expected outcomes and to provide more specific (in some cases quantitative) indicators. Individual staff will also review their previous year’s workplan and prepare a plan for the coming year that will be nested within the overall project work-plan.

Additionally, at the beginning of each quarter, all staff will review the project annual work-plan and their individual workplan and develop a Quarterly task list of things that they must accomplish that quarter in order to enable them to achieve the goals of the workplan. The project manager will review annual work-plans with staff on a quarterly basis and quarterly task lists on a monthly basis. Daily interaction will ensure that the project manager and the staff remain on task. An external evaluation by a consultant team will be held bi-annually. The first will take place in the 3rd quarter of the 2nd year and the second in the third quarter of the four years.

Monitoring and evaluation are built into the project design and define the approach to management that will be utilized. All staff will be trained in project cycle management and monitoring and evaluation techniques to help them to think critically about their tasks and what they are accomplishing.

Additionally, annual meetings to review implementation of the management plan will be held involving a large number of stakeholders and quarterly meetings of the TPAMB will be held. The majority of monitoring and evaluation costs will be covered by staff time. However, bi-annual consultant reviews will require additional funding. The attached budget has allocated 10,000 per evaluation.

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Annex 1: Incremental Cost Assessment and Incremental Cost Matrix

Annex 1a. Incremental Cost Assessment

1. Broad Development Goals:

The Government of the Philippines is committed to conserving the nation’s rich biological diversity to the best of its ability. This is reflected by the development and adoption of the NBSAP, the objectives of which include: the conservation of biodiversity through improved knowledge and management systems; research and development; better information available and institutional support mechanisms; the sustainable use of biodiversity; and the equitable sharing of the benefits of biodiversity.

Likewise, the Government of the Philippines is committed to establishing a nationwide system of protected areas as demonstrated by the NIPAS Act of 1992. This act set up a system for the establishment and management of protected areas across the Philippines. Under the act, each protected area should form a PAMB comprised of relevant stakeholders and develop a stakeholder endorsed Management Plan. Once a PAMB and Management Plan have been established, the Congress can officially ratify the protected area and may choose to appropriate funding for its management.

Although the Government is committed to biodiversity conservation, fiscal realities and competing priorities severely limit its ability to adequately implement and fund the NBSAP and to manage its system of protected areas.

2. Baseline:

The baseline for the protection and conservation of TRNMP is comprised of the existing and planned activities that would occur without the GEF project. Much of this information has been included in the main proposal text in Section 2., Baseline Course of Action. Under the current scenario without the GEF Alternative, the baseline is estimated to be $768,480 over the duration of the project.

Conservation Management: Currently, the only ongoing conservation management activities are periodic enforcement patrolling supported by the Tubbataha Task Force with funding and personnel from DND and some research, monitoring, and education conducted by KKP. Funding provided by the DND paid for the construction of the original outpost station and has been sufficient to cover the salaries of the eight (8) outposted staff and to fund approximately two (2) patrols per week over the past year and one half. However, there is only one (1) patrol boat and this is often in disrepair. The funding for these staff and patrols which before the end of his administration in June of 1998. However, continuation of this amount will be subject to additional Presidential or Congressional appropriation. While the current patrols are essential to the conservation of Tubbataha, they are not sufficient in number and efficacy to ensure adequate protection of the reef. The boats used for these patrols are often too slow to apprehend park regulation violators and cannot be used in extreme weather.

At this point, without GEF support, the Task Force is unable to undertake any activities other than

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patrolling. Recently, PDF-A funds enabled the Task Force to complete a final draft of the management plan and call an initial meeting of the TPAMB. Once the TPAMB ratifies the Management Plan, the Government is legally able but not required to provide an appropriation for the management of the park. Given the current economic situation in the Philippines, it is likely that this appropriation, estimated to likely be around 50,000 per year, will not come for two or more years. Because of the uncertainty of attaining this funding, it is not included in the Baseline.

Conservation Awareness: Currently there are no targeted conservation awareness activities ongoing in communities that have a direct relationship with TRNMP. During its patrols and interaction with communities, KKP provides awareness messages. A recent stakeholder assessment and community-planning workshop undertaken in Cagayancillo indicated that communities are generally aware of the problem of resource depletion but are very unaware of their options to manage resources more sustainably. As a result, they continue to use resources unsustainably in Cagayancillo, Cavili, and TRNMP.

Regulations, Policy, and Advocacy: Only limited policy analysis that is relevant to Tubbataha has been undertaken to date. The Management Plan reflects a set of needed policy and regulatory changes; however, no detailed analysis has occurred. There is an additional need for policy liaison to help ensure that Congress provides an annual appropriation to support management of the Park.

Biological Research and Monitoring: Numerous biological surveys have been conducted at Tubbataha in the past decade. However, these have not been well coordinated to enable data from one survey to be easily compared to data from another. Since March of 1997, KKP has been systematically collecting biological data three to four times annually. Without the GEF grant and the associated co-financing from private sources that it will leverage, KKP does not have sufficient funding both to continue these monitoring trips and to conduct other activities that comprise its share of co-financing for the project. As a result, while previous monitoring trips may be considered baseline, future trips are incremental to achieving the conservation of TRNMP as they could not occur without GEF support.

Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods: There has been no effort to assist the people of Cagayancillo or Cavili to establish sustainable resource management systems and livelihood strategies to reduce exploitation pressure on biodiversity in TRNMP. One community is attempting to set up local reserves but needs technical assistance to do so.

3. Alternative

Under the alternative, over the next four years, the project in cooperation with recently constituted TPAMB will enhance the conservation of the globally significant biodiversity of Tubbataha supplementing baseline activities with the following additional measures:

Strengthening conservation management including the institutionalizing of management structures, stakeholder training, an effective marine law enforcement system, a sustainable financing mechanism, and all other necessary activities to bring about the long-term conservation management of the Park;

Increasing stakeholder awareness regarding the importance of conserving the park and resources

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Strengthening the legislative and regulatory framework governing the park; Strengthening ecosystem research and monitoring of the park, Cavili, and Cagayancillo;

and Assisting communities to develop sustainable resource management and livelihood

strategies. These activities are detailed in the Incremental Cost Matrix (Annex 3) and Logical Framework (Annex 6)

4. Systems Boundary

The systems boundary for the project includes the TRNMP as well as Bastera and Jessie Beazley reefs and the nearby inhabited islands of Cagayancillo and Cavili. Additionally, some project activities such as advocacy, awareness raising, and education will take place in Palawan and Manila. Conservation of TRNMP is the primary target; however, work in these surrounding communities is necessary to help achieve this conservation. Bastera and Jessie Beazley reefs are biogeographically part of the Tubbataha ecosystem and harbor high biodiversity. As a result, it is proposed that they eventually be included in TRNMP.

5. Costs and the Incremental Costs Matrix

The strategy comprises the baseline plus the additional interventions proposed by this project. Total project costs (not including the baseline) are approximately US$ 1,759,421. The Baseline is equivalent to US$ 768,480. Funding of US$ 749,714 is sought from GEF while approximately US$ 974,707 in co-financing has been secured from other sources. The GEF Alternative, which includes the baseline is estimated at a cost of US$ 2,502,901.

Financing Summary

Total Costs (US$) to Achieve Goals: 1,759,421

1. GEF Request: 749,7142. Stakeholder Co-financing 135,590 3. Outside Co-financing: 839,1174. PDF-A (GEF): 25,000 5. PDF-A (Co-financing): 10,000

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Annex 1b. Incremental Cost Matrix

Cost/Benefits Baseline (B)(business as usual – limited

conservation action)

Alternative A(additional biodiversity conservation measures)

Increment (A-B)

Domestic Benefits/Costs Limited or no DENR staff to manage TRNMP and military patrols decline over time

Continued degradation of the marine ecosystem limiting production of marine resources including larvae important to reef and fish populations in the Sulu Sea

Unsustainable resource use leading to resource scarcity and long-term depletion

Few to no opportunities for sustainable resource management or sustainable livelihood development

Communities and resource agencies lack capacity to manage resources resulting in continued degradation

Maintenance of the marine ecosystem, resources, and important larvae

Resource security for local communities maintained through sustainable management

Development of a wider range of sustainable resource management and alternative economic opportunities that are linked to conservation

Targeted training assists communities and resource managers to build capacity to undertake resource management

Marine ecosystem, resources, and larvae production conserved

Resource scarcity and long-term depletion avoided

Sustainable resource use and alternative economic opportunities enable communities to conserve resources while meeting economic needs

A much larger set of local people and resource managers become capable of independent resource management and sustainable economic development

Foundation for long-term resource conservation is set.

1

Cost/Benefits Baseline (B)(business as usual – limited

conservation action)

Alternative A(additional biodiversity conservation measures)

Increment (A-B)

Global Environmental Benefits

Illegal fishing such as cyanide and dynamite destroying reef ecosystem

Unsustainable resource harvesting threatening fish, marine turtles, birds, and other species

Larvae critical to repopulating reefs and fish stocks throughout the Sulu Sea threatened

Little to no conservation awareness raising among local communities and stakeholders

Insufficient management capacity and infrastructure to conserve the global biodiversity values

Insufficient opportunities for resource management and alternative livelihood development limiting communities ability to pursue sustainability

Uncertainty of consistent funding weakens management activities

Effective management and enforcement system put in place halting destructive fishing practices

Conservation awareness and education activities

Significant investment in capacity building, training, and infrastructure development

Assistance with establishment of sustainable resource use and alternative livelihood strategies

Sustainable financing plan in place

Reduction in incident of destructive fishing resulting in improved ecosystem condition and maintenance of biodiversity

Increased conservation awareness leading to reduced threat to biodiversity of TRNMP and surrounding area

Stakeholders have built sufficient management capacity such that ecosystem and biodiversity conservation is enhanced

Sustainable resource use and alternative livelihood strategies enable communities to conserve biodiversity and marine resources

Significant increase in the probability that the biodiversity of TRNMP and surrounding areas will be conserved over the long-term

Objective: 1. Conservation Management: Bring about the effective long-term conservation management of TRNMPOutcomes Baseline (B)

(business as usual – limited conservation action)

Alternative A(additional biodiversity conservation measures)

Increment (A-B)

1. Management structures Board recently established Board holding regular meetings for

2

and infrastructure functioning effectively

through PDF-A support, but under the baseline only in kind support of TPAMB members ($20,000) is provided for meetings thus limiting ability of Board to function.

Board eligible for modest appropriation (likely to take several years – no protected area appropriations since 1992)

Government Baseline to provide for repair and maintenance of Field Station ($40,000)

TOTAL: 60,000

management decisions. Construction of Offices and Field Station complete.

1. Meetings: 48,393

2. Office Running: 232,295 3. Office Construction: 19,682

4. Field Station maintenance: 40,000

TOTAL: 340,370

1. Board Meetings GEF: 28,393Co-financing: 0

2. Office Running GEF: 121,854Co-financing: 110,441

3. Office ConstructionGEF: 0Co-financing (WWF): 19,682

TOTAL: 280,370GEF: 150,247Co-financing: 130,123

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2. Approved Management Plan under effective implementation

Limited number of patrol and project staff will be employed There will be too few staff to effectively implement the management plan. There is no effective mechanism for stakeholder participation in implementation of the management plan.

80,000 from Dive Fees for Patrol Staff65,680 from Government for Patrol Staff60,000 from WWF for Project Staff20,000 from USAID for Project Staff

TOTAL: 225,680

The number of Patrol and Project Staff will be increased to enable effective implementation of the management plan. Stakeholder groups have also agreed to provide representatives to help implement the management plan (these are referred to as Stakeholder Staff).

1. Patrol Staff : 149,680

2. Project Staff: 485,256

4. Stakeholder Staff: 135,590

5. Management Plan Review ( Meetings) 11,830

TOTAL: 882,356

1. Patrol Staff GEF: 54,000Co-financing (WWF): 50,000

2. Project StaffGEF: 263,310Co-financing: 141,946 (Packard = 66,500) (WWF = 75,446)Total: 405,256

3. Stakeholder StaffGEF: 0Co-financing: 135,590 (Stakeholders)Total: 135,590 4. Mgmt. Plan Rev. Mtgs. GEF: 11,830Co-financing: 0 Total: 11,830

TOTAL: 656, 676GEF: 329, 140Co-financing: 327, 536

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3. Effective law enforcement/patrol system in place curtailing resource destruction

Patrols will continue approximately 2 per week, although this is uncertain due to equipment failure and weak motivation. Military has expressed reluctance to continue patrols unless other stakeholders contribute to conservation efforts.

Patrol Expenses (including equipment)

44,800 from DND112,000 from USAID

TOTAL: 156,800

Boats and equipment purchased such that patrols take place daily acting as a deterrent to violations. Remote surveillance equipment is installed in TRNMP increasing detection of violators. As a result of patrol violations decrease to close to zero (Enforcement training costed below in number 4).

1. Enforcement per diem (consultants): 24,550 2. Boats/Buoys/Expense: 282,896

3. Patrol Expenses: 156,800

TOTAL: 464,246

1. Enforcement

GEF: 6,507Co-financing (WWF): 18,043

2. Boats/Exps:

GEF: 169,176Co-financing: 113,720 (Packard = 95,000) ( WWF = 18,720)

TOTAL: 307,446GEF: 175,683Co-financing: 131,763

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4. Stakeholders’ capacity to enable long-term sustainable resource management enhanced

Under the baseline there will be enforcement training of patrol and enforcement staff provided by USAID (96,000)

PAMB was formed through PDF-A support; however under the baseline there will be very little support for training of PAMB, staff, or communities in resource management, monitoring, or Marine Protected Area management.

Some support for training will be provided by WWF (30,000) TOTAL: 126,000

Significant training for PAMB, project staff, local communities, resource agencies, and local communities in resource management, MPA management, biological monitoring, and alternative livelihoods takes place enabling significant increase in resource management capacity and take over of project activities

1. Training Assessment: 5,8182. Training: 120,4323. Training Baseline: 126,000

TOTAL: 252,250

1. Training AssessmentGEF: 0 Co-financing (WWF): 5,818

2. Training GEF: 41,407 Co-financing: 79,025 (Packard = 65,163) (WWF = 13,862 )

TOTAL: 126,250 GEF: 41,407Co-financing: 84,843

5. A well managed tourism sector contributing to conservation

Dive Tourism Industry does not work to develop or enforce guidelines

Rules and guidelines for diver tourism developed and under implementation with cooperation of dive industry

1. Guideline Development (consultant) 5,916

1. Guideline DevelopmentGEF: 0Co-financing (WWF): 5,916

TOTAL: 5,916GEF: 0Co-financing (WWF): 5,916

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6. Financing to ensure long term conservation management secured

It is unlikely that a sustainable financing plan will be put in place thus long-term financial ability to manage resources would remain question TOTAL: 0

Sustainable financing plan developed over first year of project and implemented in second yearDevelop Sustainable Financing Plan (consultant)

TOTAL: 20,000

Sust. Financing Plan : 20,000

TOTAL: 20,000GEF: 11,830Co-financing (Packard): 8,170

7. Approved zonation plan under effective implementation

Unlikely that feasibility studies will be undertaken

TOTAL: 0

Zonation options assessed and pursued by project as recommended

TOTAL: 10,000

Ass. of zonation options: 10,000

TOTAL: 10,000GEF: 0Co-financing (WWF): 10,000

8. Jessie Beazley and Bastera Reef as a protected area assessed

It is unlikely that there would be any effort to expand TRNMP to include Jessie Beazley and Bastera reefs TOTAL: 0

Jessie Beazley and Bastera reefs surveyed and assessed as part of TRNMP

TOTAL: 10,000

Assessment of Jessie Beazley and Bastera : 10,000

TOTAL: 10,000GEF: 0 Co-financing (WWF): 10,000

SUB-TOTAL 1

SUB-TOTAL: 568,480 SUB-TOTAL: 1,985,138 SUB-TOTAL = 1,416,658GEF: 708,307Co-financing: 708,351

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Objective 2: Conservation Awareness: Raise awareness regarding the importance of conserving TRNMP such that stakeholders (local communities, Government, dive operators, tourists, and others) are aware of and actively participating in conservation

Outcomes Baseline (B) Alternative A Increment 2 (A-B)1. Local communities, Government, dive operators, and tourists are aware of, supportive of, and involved in conservation

Many community members, decision makers, and stakeholders will be aware, but there will be only limited awareness activities conducted by local NGOs (20,000) and general understanding and participation will remain low (particularly regarding environmentally sustainable management alternatives)

TOTAL: 20,000

Significant increase in awareness among and participation of communities, Government, , dive operators, tourists and other stakeholders due to targeted awareness activities and presence of Project Offices in Cagayancillo and in Puerto Princesa

1. Awareness Program = 54,6742. Baseline = 20,000

TOTAL: 74,674

TOTAL: 54,674GEF: 0 Co-financing: 54,674 (Packard = 13,500) (WWF = 41,174)

SUB-TOTAL 2 SUB-TOTAL: 20,000 SUB-TOTAL: 54,674 SUB-TOTAL = 54,674GEF: 0Co-financing: 54,674

Objective 3: Policy, Regulations, and Advocacy: Ensure that relevant policies, regulations, and Government appropriations support conservation and resource management in TRNMP

Outcomes Baseline (B) Alternative A Increment 2 (A-B) 1. Legislation regulations, and appropriations in support of the sustainable management of TRNMP

The policy climate is supportive but limited in scope restricting action to review and improve the regulatory system. Sporadic appropriations for TRNMP limit the ability to effectively manage the Park.

Protected Area policies and regulations support conservation in TRNMP and other MPAs. Advocacy and raising public attention to TRNMP results in regular appropriations for conservation management

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Limited lobbying would be pursued by local NGOs and some of the project staff under the baseline scenario. However, this would be on an adhoc basis and not have the benefit of full policy analysis

TOTAL: 20,000

1. Policy Review (consultant) and advocacy = 22,317

2. Baseline = 20,000

TOTAL: 42,317

1. Policy Review: 22,317

TOTAL: 22,317GEF: 5,915Co-financing (WWF): 16,402

SUB-TOTAL 3 SUB-TOTAL: 20,000 SUB-TOTAL: 42,317 SUB-TOTAL = 22,317GEF: 5,915Co-financing: 16,402

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Objective 4: Ecosystem Research and Monitoring: Enhance both ecological understanding and adaptive management of TRNMP and nearby reefs through an ecosystem research and monitoring program Outcomes Baseline (B) Alternative A Increment 2 (A-B) 1. Ecosystems research and monitoring of TRNMP and surrounding reefs strengthened thereby improving knowledge on ecosystems and adaptive management

Some increase in knowledge due to actions of independent researchers. Involvement of the USAID CRMP would help provide information on the reef but will not be sufficient for full time monitoring.

TOTAL: 60,000

Detailed biological knowledge is acquired through a systematic research and monitoring program

1. Ecological Research Program (consultants) = 69,2692. Baseline = 60,000

TOTAL: 129,269

Ecological Research GEF: 23,662 Co-financing: 45,607 ( Packard = 45,607)

TOTAL: 69,279GEF: 23,662Co-financing: 45,607

2. A GIS database containing pertinent ecological, socioeconomic and resource use information used by TPAMB in management

No GIS database established. WWF will include some information on TRNMP in its Marine Resource Information System (80,000)

TOTAL: 80,000

GIS database functioning and resource managers are trained in its use and using it in management decisions.

1. GIS (Equipment) = 27,3372. Baseline = 80,000

TOTAL: 107,337

Set Up GIS = 27,337

TOTAL: 27,337GEF: 0Co-financing (WWF): 27,337

SUB-TOTAL 4 SUB-TOTAL: 140,000 SUB-TOTAL: 236,606 SUB-TOTAL: 96,606GEF: 23,662Co-financing (WWF): 72,944

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Objective 5: Enhance conservation by developing and implementing effective community-based resource management and livelihood strategiesOutcomes Baseline (B) Alternative A Increment 2 (A-B)

1. Understanding of resource use and socioeconomic factors depleting resources in TRNMP, Cagayancillo, and Cavili increased

Limited increase in understanding due to independent researchers only.

Involvement of the USAID Coastal Resource Management Project would help provide information on socioeconomic issues but this will not be sufficient to develop alternative livelihood strategies(20,000)

TOTAL: 20,000

Baseline surveys provide information on socioeconomic factors leading to resource depletion and possible options for alternative livelihood strategies

1. Socioeconomic Survey = 21,8691. Baseline = 20,000

TOTAL: 41,869

Socioeconomic Surveys

GEF : 0Co-financing: 21,869 (Packard: 21,869)

TOTAL: 21,869GEF : 0Co-financing: 21,869

2. Community-based resource management strategies implemented including management of no take zones

Communities may pursue a limited number of no take zones through their own motivation but these will lack technical support needed to be successful

TOTAL: 0

Communities set up resource management programs and reserves with assistance of project. Increases in fish abundance increases motivation to set up additional reserves

1. Community No Take: 17,2972. Baseline = 0

TOTAL: 17,297

Community ReservesGEF : 11,830Co-financing: 5,467 (WWF : 5,467)

TOTAL: 17,297GEF : 11,830Co-financing: 5,467

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3. Community-based livelihood projects that are linked to conservation management implemented

Limited opportunities for sustainable management continued decline of resources and biodiversity

TOTAL: 0

Communities will be able to set up alternative livelihood projects with project support thus enhancing conservation in both these islands and TRNMP1. Feasibility Studies: 20,0002. Community Grants for

Demonstration Projects: 60,000

TOTAL: 80,000

GEF: 0Co-financing: 80,000 (Packard: 27,337) (WWF: 52,663)

TOTAL: 80,000GEF: 0Co-financing: 80,000

4. Criteria, indicators and guidelines (based on best practices) for biodiversity conservation incorporated into economic activities, plans and strategies.

Criteria for biodiversity conservation not fully included in economic activities, plans and strategies

TOTAL: 0

Developers and economic planning agencies include criteria for biodiversity conservation in their plans and developments

1. Development of criteria, review of EIAs = 15,000

TOTAL: 15,000

GEF: 0Co-financing: 15,000 (WWF: 15,000)

TOTAL: 15,000GEF: 0Co-financing: 15,000

SUB-TOTAL 5 SUB-TOTAL: 20,000 SUB-TOTAL: 154,166 SUB-TOTAL: 134,166GEF: 11,830Co-financing: 122,336

TOTAL COSTS TOTAL = 768,480 TOTAL = 2,527,901

(includes PDF-A Costs of 35,000: 25,000 from GEF and 10,000 from WWF)

TOTAL: 1,759,421Of which:

GEF: 749,714Co-financing: 974,707

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Packard: 385,777 Stakeholders: 135,590 WWF: 453,340

PDF-A: 35,000

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Annex 2. Implementation Arrangements and Work Plan

Annex 2a. Implementation Arrangements

Execution Arrangements: The Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) has ultimate authority for the administration and management of TRNMP. Only recently formed, the TPAMB does not yet have the administrative and technical systems in place to fully manage the day to day operations of the Park. As a result, in its role as a member of the TPAMB, WWF-Philippines will execute the TRNMP Conservation Project and will provide technical assistance to the management of the TRNMP by the TPAMB. WWF-Philippines will work the TPAMB to develop its capacity to manage TRNMP and the project.

In executing the project, WWF-Philippines will perform the following functions:

Hiring of project staff and contracting consultants Subcontracting construction of field offices in Cagayancillo Island and community grants Procurement of non-expendable equipment and other inputs Technical assistance and other forms of support to the TPAMB in the management and

implementation of the project activities as stated in the approved TRNMP Management Plan Drafting and signing of MOAs between relevant organizations to formalize co-management

arrangements. Coordination of independent evaluations Management of project accounts Arranging for audit of expenditures in compliance with UN System procedures Reporting on implementation to UNDP-GEF

Institutional Arrangements: An important prerequisite to the effective implementation of the project is the full ratification of the TPAMB and establishment of a management structure for the TRNMP. The TPAMB management structure must be unanimously agreed and approved by key institutional players including the current members of the Tubbataha Task Force. WWF-Philippines would coordinate and facilitate this process. Consultations and dialogues with members of the Presidential Task Force and other relevant GAs, LGUs, NGOs, and peoples’ organization will be undertaken.. Other key players include the local government units such as the Office of the Governor and the Mayor of Cagayancillo, Cagayancillo Association of Barangay Captains, the Naval District IV Commander, non-government organizations, tour operators, and community organizations in Cagayancillo and Cavili. Of prime importance to the project is the mutual covenant by the PCSD and the DENR with regards to the creation and functioning of the PAMB for TRNMP.

After the full ratification of the TPAMB and the management structure is in place, the TPAMB would assume the functions but not limited to those contained in the NIPAS Act:

Decide matters relating to the planning, resource protection and general administration of the TRNMP

Approve proposals, work plans, action plans, guidelines for management of the protected area in accordance with the approved management plan

Delineate and demarcate protected area boundaries and buffer zones

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Promulgate rules and regulations to promote development programs and projects on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development consistent with the Management Manual of the protected area

Ensure the implementation of programs as prescribed in the Management Plan in order to provide employment to the people dwelling in and around the TRNMP

Control and regulate the construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure in TRNMP Monitor and evaluate the performance of the protected area personnel Raise profile of the TRNMP activities Develop and implement fund raising projects Coordinate activities with GAs, NGOs, community organizations, development agencies,

NGOs, and other environmental trust funds

The TPAMB will oversee the management and operations of the TRNMP and will support WWF-Philippines in achieving all the GEF project outcomes. Pertinent activities as contained in the management plan will be executed by TPAMB, WWF-Philippines and by other qualified GAs, NGOs, and community-based organizations. The TPAMB and WWF-Philippines will jointly oversee the management and operations of the implementation of the management plan.

Day to day operations of the project would be entrusted to a project management unit, which will be administered by WWF-Philippines. This management unit will hold office in Cagayancillo and Puerto Princesa, Palawan and is accountable to the all members of the TPAMB. In the early years of operation, the management unit would benefit from the services of a Project Manager responsible for overseeing the project implementation and providing technical advice on effective protected area management. Assets would be held and managed offshore for the TRNMP by asset managers with international credibility and expertise. Auditing would be contracted to a competent and experienced accounting firm, most likely to be one of several credible firms with offices in Manila or Palawan. The TPAMB would retain local counsel to review currency exchange and tax regulations in new legislation applicable to foundations.

Other institutional players several of which are members of the TPAMB will support the project in the following ways:

1. The Marine Enforcement Program (Output 3) will be co-managed by DND, DENR, DA-BFAR, PCSD, DILG, Office of the Governor of Palawan and Mayors of the municipalities of Cavili and Cagayancillo, Naval District IV, WWF-Philippines, and local organizations. WWF-Philippines has launched the Sulu Sea Protection Crusade with six GAs (eg. DND, DILG, DOTC, DENR, DA-BFAR, DOJ) through a Memorandum of Agreement. A Memorandum of Agreement detailing responsibilities for the TRNMP of the six GAs particularly its field offices and other member organizations of TPAMB will be signed to formalize institutional arrangements for the marine enforcement program in TRNMP

2. WWF-Philippines will design appropriate capacity building and training programs (Output 4). Other members of the TPAMB will provide inputs and support to the actual conduct of the training courses and workshops either by delegating facilitators, resource persons, and participants. Academic and research institutions will also be invited to assist in the planning and conduct of the program.

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3. WWF-Philippines - will spearhead the planning for a sustainable tourism program for Tubbataha. The TPAMB will provide technical assistance and experts advice. The TPAMB will approve the guidelines on the utilization of the Tubbataha Reefs especially the diving and recreation will be formulated (Output 5).

4. WWF-Philippines will assist the TPAMB in developing a long term financing of resource management activities in TRNMP (Output 6). Relevant government agencies and other stakeholder groups will be consulted.

5. The TPAMB will participate in the assessment of possible zonation plans and conducting suitability assessment for the inclusion of Jessie Beazley and Bastera Reef to TRNMP (Output 7).

6. The Mayors of Cavili and Cagayancillo, who are members of TPAMB will oversee the participation of local communities, dive operators and tourists in conservation activities for TRNMP (Outputs 8 and 9).

7. The TPAMB shall formulate legislation and regulations in support of the sustainable management of TRNMP including government appropriations to support the Park. (Output 10)

8. WWF-Philippines in collaboration with the local government offices, academic institutions, local community organizations will undertake research and biological research and monitoring (Output 11). WWF-Philippines will present the results of the research and monitoring activities in TPAMB meetings and provide recommendations for TPAMB’s approval.

9. Local NGOs and social organizations through the recommendation of WWF-Philippines and acceptance of TPAMB will be responsible for the social mobilization and community-based conservation component. Local communities would eventually be responsible for implementing conservation activities as part of a co-management agreement with the government (Output 12).

10. WWF-Philippines will develop the GIS database for the Park which will be used by the TPAMB in strategic planning and management (Output 13).

11. WWF-Philippines will be responsible in monitoring the level of satisfaction of local communities and other stakeholders in managing the park (Output 14).

UNDP will perform oversight functions in relation to activities implemented by the TPAMB and ensure implementing agents comply with UNDP reporting and implementation procedures.Planning for transition from management by KKP and the Management Unit to the TPAMB will begin immediately with project initiation. A detailed plan for this transition will be developed during the first year of the project. Training and capacity building for the TPAMB will begin with the initiation of the project. It is expected that a full transition to management by the TPAMB will take place in the third or early in the fourth year of the project. However, TPAMB members will play critical roles, as detailed above, throughout the execution of the project.

Institutional Context and Commitment:

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Currently TRNMP is not actively managed by the TPAMB or any other government agency. DENR has statutory authority for the park, but as a NIPAS site, ultimate management authority is vested in the TPAMB once ratified. Currently, management activities such as patrolling are being undertaken by the Department of National Defense. Additionally, the Palawan Council on Sustainable Development has supported conservation activities at the park. All members of the TPAMB have agreed that the TPAMB will have ultimate management authority and PSCD and the DENR have signed an MOU indicating their participation in the TPAMB and the TPAMB’s management authority. Institutional members of the TPAMB including the national government, the provincial government, the local government, local NGOs, local communities, and international NGOs are committed both to the implementation arrangements and to the implementation of this project. These agencies have fully endorsed both the management plan and this project, including the various roles that they will play as indicated above. Early in project initiation, the additional roles and responsibilities of the TPAMB members will be determined. Financial commitments from various stakeholders are included within the incremental cost matrix.

The commitments of the national government including the Department of National Defense and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are included in the baseline of the project. These government agencies are committed to playing their role in the TPAMB and in the transition to full management of the project. Although these agencies may in time contribute significant financial resources to the increment, their current continuing contributions are summarized under baseline since they will continue whether or not the GEF project proceeds. It is unclear at this time, if additional financial commitments will be possible, however once TRNMP is ratified it will be eligible for federal appropriations. If secured, these appropriates will contribute to the increment.

Government agency members of the TPAMB have indicated that the initiation of the GEF project will help to create a momentum in the project that may encourage the acquisition of additional government support.

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Annex 2b. Project Work Plan

1. Objective 1: Conservation Management. Bring about the effective long -term management of TRNMP

Outcomes Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 43 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48

1. Management systems and infra-structure functioning effectively

1. Form the management structure

2. Identify the roles and functions of TPAMB and its members

3. Support establishment of Park Management office

4. Provide advice on management and operations

5. Repair field station 6. Maintain a system of

regular meetings and management evaluations

7. Establish and maintain a forum whereby stakeholders may express concerns and opinions

8. Review annual action plans, financial/ admin. concerns

2. Approved Management Plan under effective implementation

1. Form the Management Unit (hire staff)

2. Provide technical assistance and resources to TPAMB

3. Hold periodic reviews of the plan, its implementation and update as needed

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Outcomes Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 43 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48

3. Effective marine law enforcement system curtailing resource destruction

1. Establish and train field teams

2. Secure boats, equipment, and for patrols

3. Install and maintain perimeter buoys

4. Establish and strengthen linkages with existing monitoring systems and other law enforcement agencies

4. Stakeholders’ capacity to enable long term sustainable resource management enhanced

1. Assess training needs and capacity building needs of stakeholder groups

2. Develop a strategy to address training and capacity building needs

3. Network with other organizations to access training

4. Develop and implement training modules

5. Establish internship program

6. Ensure that stakeholders access training such that they are able to fully implement conservation

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Outcomes Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 43 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48

5. A well managed tourism sector contributing to conservation

1. Assess existing tourism policy and regulations

2. Work with tourism operators to assess their needs and interests

3. Develop a tourism code of conduct

4. Enlist tourism operators to assist with reporting of violations and tourist education

5. Develop awareness and education modules for tourism operators and tourists

6. Financing to support the long term financing of resource management secured

1. Assess current fee and tax structure

2. Undertake feasibility study for financing options

3. If recommended, establish Trust Fund (or other sustainable financing mechanism for TRNMP

8. Jessie Beazley and Bastera Reef as protected areas assessed

1. Undertake assessments on the state of biodiversity, its threats, and management

2. Develop patrolling and monitoring regime

3. TPAMB vote on inclusion

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Objective 2: Conservation Awareness. Raise awareness regarding the importance of conserving TRNMP such that stakeholders are aware of and actively supporting conservation efforts

Outcomes Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 43 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48

1. Local communities, Government, dive operators, and tourists are aware of, supportive of, and involved in conservation

1. Work with local community groups and NGOs to create and disseminate culturally appropriate outreach materials2. Work with government, decision makers, local communities, diver operators, and tourists to increase awareness of and participation in conservation

Objective 3: Regulation, Policy, and Advocacy. Ensure that relevant policies and regulations, and Government appropriation support conservation and resource management in TRNMP

Outcomes Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 43 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48

1. Legislation, regulations, appropriation in support of the sustainable management of TRNMP

1. Review protected area and other relevant legislation

2. Review the NIPAS Act and its applicability to TRNMP and other MPAs

3. Work with agencies and statutory bodies to fill statutory/ regulation gaps

4. Lobby for appropriation to support TRNMP

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Objective 4: Ecosystems Research and Monitoring. Enhance both ecological understanding and adaptive management of TRNMP and nearby reefs through an ecosystems research and monitoring program.

Outcomes Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 43 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48

1. Ecosystems research and monitoring of TRNMP and surrounding reefs strengthened thereby improving knowledge on ecosystems and adaptive management

1. Compile historical research and monitoring, identify priorities to develop research and monitoring program

2. Design integrated moni-toring/evaluation system

3. Support/ enhance research and monitoring

4. Establish research network5. Formulate policies on

research and monitoring6. Communicate results to

public7. Document management and

monitoring process to allow replication

8. Incorporate research and monitoring into management

2. A GIS database containing ecological, socio-economic and resource use information used in management

1. Purchase equipment/supplies

2. Work with Management Unit to collect data

3. Work with research inst. on use of remote sensing data

4. Train TPAMB in use of the database for management

5. Use database for education and public information

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Objective 5: Sustainable Resource Management and Livelihoods. Enhance conservation by developing and implementing effective resource management and livelihood strategies.

Outcomes Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 43 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48

1. Under-standing of resource use and socio-economic factors leading to resource depletion increased

1. Hire consultants and engage staff to undertake socio-economic, resource use and attitudinal assessments2. Follow up on these periodically to assess changes in socio-economic conditions, resource use, and attitudes

2. Community-based resource management strategies implemented including the management of local reserves

1. Provide information on benefits of community managed reserves and gauge community attitudes

2. Assist communities to assess resource use, undertake baselines, establish methods for managing reserves, establish and monitor community-based reserves, access to small grants, provide training and link resource management to awareness and education programs

Outcomes Activities Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

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3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 483. Communitybased livelihood projects that are linked to conservation management implemented

1. Undertake feasibility studies for livelihood enterprises

2. Encourage improvement in transportation systems to enable marketing

3. Provide and assist communities to access livelihood financing

4. Integrate livelihood strategies with the awareness and education program

4. Criteria, indicators and guidelines (based on best practices) for biodiversity conservation incorporated into economic activities, plans and strategies.

1. Develop and maintain good relationship with developers and planning agencies

2. Track development plans that have potential to affect TRNMP

3. As needed, develop criteria for environmental compatible development

4. As needed, review EIAs for any specific developments that might impact biodiversity at TRNMP

5. As needed, use SEAMARIS information system to model possible impacts of various developments

6. Liaise with relevant planning agencies

7. As needed, lobby for inclusion of guidelines and criteria for biod. conservation in relevant development plans and policy and regulatory mechanisms.

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Annex 3. Stakeholder Analysis

CONSERVATION OF TUBBATAHA REEF NATIONAL PARK:STAKEHOLDERS’ ANALYSIS

RATIONALE

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the World Wildlife Fund-Philippines (Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas or KKP) are assisting each other in the conservation of the Tubbataha Reef National Park. Toward this goal, a full-scale project document is being prepared that includes an analysis of the stakeholders in the national park. This analysis is necessary to ensure that the activities of the project are technically, economically and environmentally feasible while being consistent with social and institutional constraints.

Stakeholders are individuals, groups or institutions of men and women sharing common concerns, values or interests in the park and who depend on it for some given reason, whether it be economic, political, social, ecological or even aesthetic. The institution may be formal (DENR) or informal (fishing operators). The analysis will identify these stakeholders including their location, interest, resources used and their conflicting and complementary interests. The solutions to conflicts of interest will also be explored after identifying the capability and constraints of the stakeholders.

USE OF STAKEHOLDERS’ ANALYSIS

The stakeholders must be characterized because the management plan will be prepared and implemented by the stakeholders themselves. Their involvement in plan preparation ensures that the measures it will contain are within the stakeholder’s capacity to implement. If the measures are beyond their capacity to implement, then interventions can be put in place to expand such capability beforehand.

In the preparation of the plan, the stakeholders’ analysis will be used:

To identify the stakeholders who will participate in the process of developing the integrated management plan;

To determine the process which will be undertaken in plan preparation to attain widespread consensus;

To design the appropriate technical input which will level-off the stakeholders’ stock of information on the national park;

To focus the targets of the social marketing of the plan and;

To ensure that the commitments drawn out to support the plan takes into consideration the capability and constraints of each stakeholder to facilitate smooth implementation.

METHODOLOGY

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The collection of data for stakeholders’ analysis requires not only research skills but also familiarity with the stakeholders in the area. For this reason, the Palawan NGO Network Inc (PNNI), a consortium of 38 province-based NGOs, was tasked to collect the data using participatory methods through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Four formats guided the data collection and processing. The formats were designed to meet the following objectives:

To obtain pertinent information from as many stakeholders as possible;

To identify stakeholders with permanent and seasonal interests in Tubbataha Reef;

To assess roles and impacts of stakeholders in Tubbataha Reef;

To Increase participation of government and non-government organizations as well as organized and unorganized groups as long as they are bounded by common interest.

The PNNI prepared a guide questionnaire for individuals and groups and the information obtained were arranged according to the formats. PNNI then facilitated five meetings: one meeting was among the municipal officials and barangay captains; three were among community members in three barangays (Nusa, Mampio and Magsaysay) and one with some key interviewees in Barangay Sta. Cruz, members of the Samahan ng Mangingisda sa Cagayancillo (SAMACA). In Barangay Magsaysay, the NGO met with the community members of Sitio Cabili which is a small, separate island under the municipality of Cagayancillo, located closest to Tubbataha Reef.

The NGO conducted separate interviews with key informants namely, the mayor and vice-mayor of Cagayancillo. They also conducted interviews among government personnel in Puerto Princesa and dive tour operators in Metro Manila, who represent stakeholders who are based in either Manila or Puerto Princesa.

The persons involved in data-gathering were permanent NGO personnel who will eventually participate in the project’s activities. These activities include groundworking and consultation activities during the planning, social marketing and implementation process.

TYPES AND LOCATION OF STAKEHOLDERS

The stakeholders in Tubbataha Reefs may be classified into two: government and non-government (Table 1). The following national government agencies have a stake in Tubbataha Reefs: Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). These agencies are members of the latest Task Force designated to protect the park (Memorandum Circular No. 150, 1996). Other members of the Task Force are local government agencies: the mayor of Cagayancillo and the governor of Palawan, who is also the chairman of PCSD. Two local NGO completes the Task Force membership. WWF- Philippines is an NGO member of both the Task Force Executive Committee and the Technical Working Group.

In addition to NGOs, there are non-government stakeholders such as the fishing communities in Cagayancillo. This group also includes commercial fishing operators in Palawan and the dive tour operators who are based in Manila and Puerto Princesa.

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Table 1 Tubbataha Reef Stakeholders and their Interests

Stakeholder Interest Government DND Enforcement of existing regulations DENR Preservation of resources DOT Preservation of resources DBM Preservation of resources PCSD Preservation of resources Provincial government Generation of funds for park management and other

Activities Municipal government Access to park’s resources, generation of funds for

local governance, alternative livelihood Barangay government Access to park’s resources and generation of funds for

local governanceNon-government Diving tour operators Preservation of resources and safe park access Cagayanncillo fisherfolks Access to park’s resources Palawan fishermen Access to the park’s resources Outside fishermen Access to the park’s resources NGO (WWF-KKP & SAGUDA)

Preservation of the resource while addressing concerns of communities in Cagayancillo

Research Institutions (MSI, Silliman, SPCP)

Preservation of the resources

Government and non-government research institutions such as the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute and State Polytechnic College of Palawan, Silliman University Marine Laboratory are also stakeholders.

A stakeholder may belong to one or more stakeholders group. A diving tour operator may also be a member of an NGO, e.g. SAGUDA. A government official may also be into commercial fishing. Dual or multi-membership in a stakeholders’ group means that the interests of an individual stakeholder in Tubbataha Reef may be multiple and even conflicting.

Among the stakeholders, only the DND through the Philippine Navy has a continuous presence in the park. The diving tour and fishing operators are seasonally physical present although the latter’s activities are heavily curtailed by the presence of the Philippine Navy. It is estimated that during April and May, about 30 dive boats go to Tubbataha’s diving spots in a week, the presence of which also discourages illegal fishing activities in the reef area.

The fishing operators are usually in the area for 6–7 months coming not only from Cagayancillo and Palawan but from Luzon and Visayas and even from Hongkong and Taiwan (Cruz and White 1989). But during an aerial survey conducted on 24th of July 1998 not a single fishing boat was spotted within the park. The indigenous population of Cagayancillo called Cagayanen are no longer considered a stakeholder by themselves, i.e., separate from the islands’ fishing operators or from the constituency represented by its local government. This is because the migration from the Visayas and the resulting acculturation and intermarriage have made it difficult to differentiate the Cagayanen from the new

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settlers who are engaged in fishing.

Though based in Manila and Puerto Princesa, the diving and fishing operators are still considered stakeholders being the main beneficiaries of the marine resources in Palawan and around Sulu Sea. The Tubbataha Reef provides these areas with fish and invertebrate larvae (Alcala, 1993 and Dolar and Alcala, 1993). The current disperses these larvae and enriches the coral reefs and fishing grounds around Sulu Sea. Thus, even the subsistence fishermen around Sulu the Sea, many of whom have not even heard of Tubbataha Reef, are stakeholders of the park. The crucial and vital role of Tubbataha Reef in supporting marine life in Sulu Sea makes it a general welfare concern and the government as the biggest stakeholder.

STAKEHOLDERS’ INTEREST

The interest of the national government agencies in Tubbataha Reef is defined by their mandate and is further emphasized by their membership in the Task Force. The creation of the task force is in line with the purpose of establishing Tubbataha as a national park:

…To protect and preserve the coral reef atoll within its abundant and diverse reef assemblage, including the marine turtles and water birds found roosting in the area (Proclamation 306, 1988).

However, the interest of the local government units lies not only in the preservation of the park’s resources. It also includes the generation of funds to manage the park, provide social services particularly to its constituency whose livelihood is affected by the cessation of park’s access. While the provincial government can work within the existing arrangement of preserving the resources of Tubbataha Reef consistent with its status as National Park, the municipal and barangay government officials of Cagayancilllo want to regain their management control over it (Table 2). Their main reason is their exclusion from any benefits derived from the park. The barangay officials want not just management control but also extraction rights. These rights are not just limited to fisheries but also to shells, birds and turtle eggs and the establishment of seaweed farm within the park.

One reason behind the “aggressive” position of the barangay leadership is that nobody had explained to them and to their constituency the reason behind the sudden ban on extraction activities in Tubbataha Reef. The mayor, a member of the Executive Committee of Tubbataha Reef National Marine Parks Task Force is understandably interested in the municipality’s share in the proceeds from tourism in Tubbataha Reefs. Given these explicit interests, fixing the user fee system and sharing arrangement are definitely considered key to resolving the issue of management control.

While the vice-mayor also lobbied for municipal control of Tubbataha Reef, he admitted their lack of knowledge and skills in environmental management and their difficulty in stopping the use of destructive fishing methods. He is considering alternative livelihood projects for the residents of Cagayancillo as part of the solution to the issue. It appears that the poverty level in the municipal and barangay level is such that the leadership cannot overemphasize their need to derive economic benefits from the project.

Table 2 Interest in Tubbataha Reef Expressed by Stakeholders in Cagayancillo: June 1998

Cagayancillo Stakeholders Expressed InterestBrgy. Nusa residents Fishing rights, share derived from beneficial

use, management control,

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participation in enforcement Brgy. Mampio residents Share derived from beneficial use,

management controlBrgy. Magsaysay (Sitio Cabili) residents Management control, sea turtle meat, share

derived from beneficial useBarangay captains Management control, resource extraction

rights, share derived from beneficial use Municipal councilmen Management control, share derived from

beneficial use.Municipal vice-mayor Management control, share derived from

beneficial use, alternative livelihoodMunicipal mayor Fishing rights, share from proceeds derived

from beneficial use, management control

Surprisingly, the community members were not as adamant as their leadership to regain management control over Tubbataha Reef. They demanded more intensely to have persons of authority explain to them the reason for banning extractive activities in the park. They also wanted clarification on their participation in park management particularly in areas of decision-making and rule enforcement and their share from proceeds derived from the beneficial use of the park. It was only in Brgy. Nusa that they raised the need to revive their fishing rights in the park. Likewise, it was only in Brgy. Magsaysay that the ban on the slaughter of sea turtles for meat was raised. The generally open position of the communities and their eagerness to participate augurs well for the existing management arrangement.

Between the divergent of interests of the national agencies and those of the municipal and barangay government units, is the provincial government in the person of the Governor, who chairs the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development of PCSD. The PCSD is a national agency but has the municipality of Cagayancillo under its provincial jurisdiction.

Among the non-government stakeholders, the interests largely differ between the diving tour and fishing operators. The business of the diving tour operators rests on resource preservation while the fishing operators depend on resource extraction. But the problem of resource extraction in Tubbataha Reefs is a recent phenomenon. Although the imagery of the reefs prominently figures in the folklore of the indigenous people around Sulu Sea, intensive fishing began only in the early 1980’s (Cruz and White, 1989). This must be a result of a confluence of the factors: resource depletion of other traditional fishing grounds, commercialization of fishing production, modernization & improvement of fishing and sea transport technology and increasing unavailability of farmlands in outmigration areas in the Visayas.

Fishing methods being used in the park include the use of dynamite and cyanide. The resources extracted by these fishing methods are not limited to fisheries. Sea turtle and eggs of sea birds, giant clams and collector’s shells are also included (White and Palaganas, 1991).

Simultaneous with intensified fishing in the Tubbataha Reefs is the development of the diving industry in the Philippines. The reef hosted the first diving expedition in 1982 and from then on became one of the world’s top diving destinations. Members of the diving industry were the first to raise their voices against the fishing operation in the area. Some of them have cross-memberships with NGOs, research institutions and government agencies.

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Annex 4. References

Alcala, A. 1993. Ecological Importance of the Coral Reefs in the Cagayan Ridge, Sulu Sea, Philippines. Siliman Journal. Second Quarter, 1993.

Alcala, A.C. and T.F. Luchavez. 1993. A Comparison of Species Richness and Abundance of Food Fishes in Central Visayan and Sulu Sea Coral Reefs, Philippines. Silliman Journal. 36(2).

Arquiza, Y.D. and A.T. White. 1994. Tales from Tubbataha, Natural History, Resource Use, and Conservation of the Tubbataha Reefs, Palawan, Philippines. Bandillo ng Palawan Foundation, Inc., Puerto Princesa, Philippines, 136 pp.

Chou, L.M. et. al., 1994. Status of the Coral Reefs in the ASEAN Region in Proceedings, Third ASEAN-Australia Symposium on Living Coastal Resources. Wilkinson, C.R., S. Sudara, and L.M. Chou eds. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.

ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific), 1995. State of the Environment in Asia and the Pacific. United Nations, New York.

Heck and McCoy. 1978. Biogeography of seagrasses: Evidence from associated organisms. Proceedings of the International Symposium of Marine Biogeography and Evolution in the Southern Hemisphere, 1: 109-127.

Hudson, Andrew G. 1998. Lessons Learned in GEF International Waters and Marine Biodiversity Projects, United Nations Development Program, New York.

Johannes, R. E., and M. Riepen, 1995. Environmental, Economic, and Social Implications of the Liver Reef Fish Trade in Asia and the Western Pacific. Unpublished Report funded by the Nature Conservancy, Forum Fisheries Agency, and the Pew Charitable Trust.

Kelleher, G., C. Bleakley, and S. Wells eds., 1995. A Global Representative System of Marine Protected Areas: Volume III. The World Bank, Washington, D.C.

Miller, R.I. ed., 1994. Mapping the Diversity of Nature. Chapman and Hall, London.

Nakashima, Steven, 1997. Integrated Coastal Management as Best Practice in GEF Project Development: Lessons Learned from Selected Biodiversity Projects in Marine, Coastal, and Freshwater Ecosystems, United Nations Development Program, New York.

Noer, J. H., 1996. Chokepoints80: Maritime Economic Concerns in Southeast Asia. National Defense University Press, Washington, D.C.

Natural Resources Management Center (NRMC). 1983. Field Survey Report of Tubbataha Reef, Palawan, April 6 - May 8, 1982. Marine Parks Interagency Task Force, Ministry of Natural Resources, Manila.

Pacific Rim Innovations and Management Exponents (PRIMEX), Inc. 1993. Philippine Tuna Research Project (PTRP). Final Report, December 1993. PRIMEX and the South Pacific Commission (SPC).

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Palaganas, V.P., J. Sy, and P. Alino. 1985. Coral communities of the Tubbataha Atolls (Southern Philippines). Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti, vol. 6, pp.237-242.

Primavera, H.J. 1994. Environmental and Socio-economic Effects of Shrimp Farming: The Philippine Experience. INFOFISH International 1/94.

WWF-Philippines. 1998. Review of the Fisheries Sector Policies of the Asian Development Bank. WWF-Philippines (Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas) Research Paper No. 7, Series of 1998.

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Annex 5. Letter of Endorsement

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Annex 6. Location of Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea, Philippines

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Annex 7. Logical Framework

Goal: To conserve the unique and relatively pristine condition of the globally significant biological diversity and ecological processes of TRNMP and to manage the area on a sustainable and ecologically sound basis

1. Objective 1: Bring about the effective long-term management of TRNMP Strategy Outcomes Activities and Details Objectively Verifiable

IndicatorsMeans of Verification Assumptions

Establish a management body, support implemen-tation of the management plan, build management capacity, enhance enforce-ment, and secure long-term financing

1. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park Management Board (TPAMB) and infrastructure established and functioning effectively

I. Form and operationalize the TPAMB and establish infrastructure 1. Support regular

meetings of the TPAMB

2. Identify the roles and functions of TPAMB and its members

3. Support establishment of Park Management office and satellite office in Cagayancillo

4. Provide advice on management and operations

1. 80% of scheduled TPAMB meetings held

2. TPAMB resolutions being implemented

3. 80% member participation rate

4. 75% of members present at any one meeting

5. Park Management Offices constructed and being maintained

1. Minutes of scheduled meetings

2. Field Team Progress Reports to TPAMB regarding implementation of TPAMB resolutions

1. Financial support for core operations of TPAMB provided by Government

2. Officers and members of the TPAMB have long term commitment for the conservation of the TRNMP

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification Assumptions 2. Management plan under effective implementation

II. Implement the Management Plan 1. Form a Field Team

comprised of project staff and stakeholder staff (including DND, DENR, Local communities, PSCD, local NGOs)

2. Review implementation on a semiannual basis and adapt management and plan as needed

1. Management Plan strategies are implemented into perpetuity

2. Collaborative programs of stakeholders groups are operational

3. Adjustments made to the Management Plan are being implemented

1. Field Team Progress Reports to TPAMB regarding implementation of TPAMB resolutions

2. Regular meetings with Stakeholder Groups

3. Regular interaction between Field Team and Stakeholder Groups

1. Long term financing is available after project phase out

2. Political support remain favorable to implementation of the plan

3. Effective law enforcement/patrol system in place acting as a deterrent to violations in both TRNMP and Cagayancillo

III. Strengthen the Enforcement of pertinent regulations through an effective patrol system

1. Institutionalize TRNMP and Cagayancillo patrol and station teams2. Provide logistical support to the teams (including boats, equipment, honoraria for enforcement officers)3. Train patrol teams in ecology, resource management, enforcement, reporting, etc.4. Encourage the judiciary to prosecute all arrests and violations

1. Recorded number of violations reduced by at least 75 %

2. Recorded reduction in destructive fishing incidences and irresponsible tourism by at least 75 %

3. Decrease in damage to the corals in dive sites and fishing areas

4. All arrests acted upon by the judiciary

1. Judicial and arrest records

2. Enforcement records3. Field Team trip

records 4. Biological

monitoring of reef sites.

1. An effective patrol system will act as a deterrent to violations

2. Penalties are sufficiently severe to prevent potential violators from taking the risk

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification Assumptions 4. Relevant Authorities, PAMB, project staff, and local communities have built capacity for resource management

IV. Develop and implement a strategy to increase resource management capacity amount TPAMB members and other stakeholders

1. Assess training needs and development of training strategies2. Network with other NGOs and agencies to access training3. Develop training modules in resource management, organi-zational and business management, strategic planning, evaluation, and reporting etc. 4. Establish a fellows/ internship program

1. Training needs assessment report completed.

2. At least 500 of stakeholder representatives trained in relevant skills

3. Level of skills in marine conservation enhanced

4. Changes in the on-going activities/ approaches attributed to increased knowledge and skills

5. Fellows support conservation of TRNMP or other sites

1. Training needs assessment report

2. Records of Training3. Field Team

assessment of stakeholder activities

4. Interviews with stakeholders

1. Stakeholder representatives willing to take part in training

2. Fellows and interns can be identified

3. Appropriate training opportunities can be identified

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Objectively Verifiable Indicators

Means of Verification Assumptions

5. Rules for diver tourism developed and under implementation

V. Formulate and implement guidelines in regulating TRNMP as an ecological destination

1. Assess existing tourism policy and regulations

2. Work with tourism operators to assess their needs and interests

3. Develop a tourism code of conduct

4. Ensure compliance through patrols

5. Enlist tourism operators to assist with reporting of violations and tourist education

6. Develop education modules (that comply with code of conduct) for employees and tourists

7. Estimate tourist carrying capacity

1. Decreased violations of tourism code of conduct

2. Stable or increased reef health at tourism sites (please note other factors can impact the reef - biological monitoring does not establish definitive causal relationships)

3. Diver Operators and Tourists showing improved understanding of and participation in conservation

4. Estimated tourist capacity not exceeded

5. Dive boat operators satisfied with management of TRNMP

1. Patrols and tourist reports

2. Biological monitoring

3. Field Staff interaction with Diver Operators and Tourists.

4. Dive Operators Records. (Biologists and Diver Operators will estimate diver carry capacity).

5. Interviews and reactions in TPAMB meetings

1. Dive tour operators willing to work with project

2. Patrols or tourists able to detect and report violations in tourism code

3. Carrying capacity can be estimated based on number of popular dive sites, number of mooring buoys available or planned, and other factors

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification Assumptions 6. Sustainable financing plan in place

VI. Develop and implement a plan to support the long-term financing of resources management activities in the TRNMP

1. Assess existing fee and tax structure

2. Undertake feasibility study for potential fee structures and Trust Fund (include willingness to pay survey of tourists)

3. Change tourism fee structure and ensure revenues go directly to TRNMP management

4. Establish Trust Fund (in initial 4 years, fees will endow Trust Fund)

5. Establish mechanism for tourist donation to conservation of TRNMP

6. Lobby for continued appropriation for DND and TPAMB

7. Continue private sector fundraising

1. Combination of government appropriation, tourism fee, fishing tax, and tourism donation sufficient to continue core activities of this project after project termination

2. After initial 4 years, 70% of fees going directly to management of TRNMP. Remainder going to municipalities for special projects, to treasury, and to Trust Fund

3. Trust fund revenue used entirely for activities that are linked to the management of TRNMP

4. Trust fund revenue increasing annually

5. At least 1 million pesos available annually from Trust funds and fees for park management

1. Financial projections and core budget projections

2. Design and records of fee collection system

3. Financial and technical reports of use of Trust Fund moneys

4. Trust Fund financial reports

5. Trust Fund financial reports

1. TPAMB can legally and politically change fee structure and establish a Trust Fund

2. Diver operators will comply with restructured fee system

3. Fees charged on a per diver not per boat basis

4. Tourists will to contribute to conservation above and beyond mandatory fee.

5. A transparent and reliable mechanism for Trust Fund management can be established

6. Government will provide appropriation for TPAMB and continue appropriation for DND patrols

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification Assumptions 7. Feasibility of various zonation plans assessed (It may result that the entire Park is recommended as a no take zone)

VII. Assess feasibility of various zonation plans implement most affective

1. Undertake biological surveys to identify potential fishing/use zones

2. Ensure that fishing/use zones are sufficient small to enable adequate enforcement

3. Provide thorough public information about zonation plan

1. Decision on zonation plan made

2. If zonation plan is implemented, it is adequately enforced and violations decrease in number over time

3. Local people understand the zonation system

1. Report from decision making process

2. Reports from field patrol staff

3. Interviews and meetings indicate

1. Zonation plan can be adequately assessed

2. If zonation is pursued, there is adequate appropriation to ensure enforcement

3. Enforcement agents apprehend and prosecute violators

4. Enforcement regime and penalties are a sufficient deterrent to prevent violations

8. Jessie Beazley and Bastera Reef included in TRNMP

VIII. Undertake biological assessment of Jessie Beazley and Bastera and lobby for inclusion in TRNMP

1. Assess baseline resources of Jessie Beazley and Bastera

2. Develop management strategy for inclusion in TRNMP

1. Jessie Beazley and Bastera gazetted as part of TRNMP

2. Reef condition improves over baseline

1. Official gazettal notice

2. Biological monitoring

1. TPAMB agrees to inclusion of Jessie Beazley and Bastera

2. Resources are sufficient to include these reefs in patrols, management, and monitoring

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Objective 2: Raise awareness regarding the importance of conserving TRNMP such that stakeholders are actively supporting conservation efforts

Strategy Outcomes Activities Objectively Verifiable Indicators

Means of Verification

Assumptions

Develop and implement an information, education, and communication program for local communities, Government, dive tourism operators and guests, and general public

1. Local communities, Government, dive operators, and tourists are aware of, supportive of, and involved in conservation

I. Develop and implement an awareness, education, and communication program

Community Level

1. Undertake initial community consultations (PRAs) to assess level of conservation and resource management awareness in target communities

2. Work with local community groups and NGOs to develop culturally appropriate awareness strategies for Cagayancillo, Cavilli, and Palawan

3. Organize exchange visits for communities to demonstrate the potential of community reserves

4. Work with municipal education systems to weave resource conservation modules into the curriculum in the Cagayans

1. Increased level of resource management awareness

2. Local communities establish local reserves and are realizing benefits primarily increased fish catch

3. Environmental messages included in the formal education system in the Cagayan Islands

1. Community consultations and assessments

2. Local reserve gazettal, and community-based resource monitoring

3. Educational curriculum

1. Local community members willing to participate in awareness activities and exchange visits

2. Other communities with local reserves are willing to host visitors from Cagayancillo for exchange visits

3. Municipal education system willing to integrate conservation and resource management modules into curriculum

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification Assumptions Government Level

1. Develop Government outreach program for relevant agencies, DND, DENR, BFAR...2. Organize site visits for government officials

1. Government continues to support conservation and management of TRNMP through appropriations and legislation

1. Government attitudes as indicated through formal meetings, interaction with Government Officials

2. Continuedappropriations

1. Government officials willing to participate in briefing sessions

2. Government officials willing to make site visits

Dive Operators and Tourists

1. Develop education modules (which comply with the Dive Tourism Code of Conduct) for dive tourism employees and tourists

1. Conservation briefings conducted on all dive vessels

2. Violations of dive code of conduct remain low / decrease

3. Tourists donate to conservation efforts

1. Records of education staff

2. Patrol staff reports3. Trust Fund records

1. TPAMB makes training for dive tourism employees mandatory

2. Dive tourism operators willing to participate

3. Trust Fund established

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Objective 3: Ensure that relevant policies and regulations support conservation and resource management in TRNMP

Strategy Outcome Activity Objectively Verifiable Indicator

Means of Verification Assumptions

Assess current policies and regulations and lobby for necessary changes

1. A policy climate that is supportive of conservation and long-term sustainable management of TRNMP

1. Undertake policy analysis and liaison to increase Government support for TRNMP and to strengthen relevant legislation and regulations associated with TRNMP and other marine protected areas

1. Assess policies and regulations for TRNMP and recommend necessary changes to enhance conservation (To be undertaken in year 2 after current policies have been in effect for 18 months)

1. Assessment complete 1. Assessment Report and Presentation

1. Management agencies cooperate with assessment

2. Assess regulatory framework of TRNMP relative to other marine protected areas both nationally and regionally and make recommendations for improvement accordingly

1. Regulatory framework for TRNMP standardized to best practices

1 . Policies Governing TRNMP adjusted as necessary

1. Management agencies cooperate with assessment

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification Assumptions 3. Include relevant

regulatory bodies in assessment and lobby them for necessary changes

1. Policy climate supportive of long-term conservation of TRNMP is maintained or achieved through regulatory and statutory adjustments

1. Discussions with management agencies indicate support

2. Policies Governing TRNMP adjusted as necessary

1. Management agencies willing to participate in assessment and serious about improving management standards

Objective 4: Conduct research and monitoring on the reef to detect and document changes in the condition of the reef system

Strategy Outcome Action Objectively Verifiable Indicator

Means of Verification Assumptions

Develop a research and monitoring program both in TRNMP and Cagayancillo

1. Biological knowledge of the reef system increases and changes in the condition of the ecosystem are documented

I. Formulate and execute an ecological research and monitoring program for TRNMP and nearby reefs.

1. Compile a biological profile on all existing biological information on TRNMP and Cagayancillo and identify gaps and priorities for further research

2. Design a research program to fill gaps in biological knowledge

3. Encourage increased research for TRNMP

1. A biological profile of TRNMP and Cagayancillo completed

2. Research program has filled identified gaps in knowledge as feasible

3. An increased number of national and international researchers are working at TRNMP.

1. Biological profile report

2. Research program addresses information gaps described in the biological profile report

3. Increased researcher activity, increased publish reports on Monitoring reports indicate participation of local people

1. Researchers are interested in undertaking work in TRNMP and Cagayancillo

2. Local people willing to participate in research and monitoring

3. Changes in the ecosystem can be assessed through research and monitoring

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification

Assumptions

4. Design an integrated monitoring program that can largely be conducted by local people to assess changes in ecosystem condition

5. Train local people to undertake monitoring

6. Document the management and monitoring process undertaken to enable replication in other sites

7. Communicate research/ monitoring results to public

4. Research and Monitoring Program is ongoing with involvement of local people

5. Semi-annual or annual publication and dissemination of the research and monitoring plan

6. Monitoring is sufficiently systematic to detect changes in ecosystem and Cagayancillo

4. Meetings and discussions with local people indicate interest in participating in monitoring

5. Publication of the research and monitoring plan

6. Monitoring reports indicate changes in ecosystem findings

2. A GIS database on TRNMP and Cagayancillo has been established and is used in management and decision making

II. Develop a GIS database on TRNMP and surrounding areas such as the Cagayan Islands, Jessie Beazley, and Bastera Reef

1. Build/maintain GIS database

2. Work with the research team and community outreach workers to collect GIS data

3. Provide access and training for use of the GIS database in management

1. GIS database completed and used in management and by other organizations

2. Regular GIS presentations made to the project beneficiaries and project partners

1. TPAMB meetings and members refer to GIS database

2. Field Team reports indicate a number of GIS presentations

1. Decision makers find GIS database useful to their decision making processes2. Other organizations find GIS database useful to their work

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Objective 5: Establish an effective local community resource management program that is linked to reserves and alternative resource use regimes

Strategy Outcome Action Objectively Verifiable Indicator

Means of Verification Assumptions

Work with communities in Cavilli and Cagayancillo to establish a local resource management and alternative livelihood strategy that will reduce pressure on natural resources and biodiversity

1. A better under-standing resource use and socio-economic factors leading to resource depletion in TRNMP, Cavilli, and Cagayancillo

I. Undertake socioeconomic, resource use, and attitudinal assessments in the Cagayan Islands and other areas impacting TRNMP

1. Develop a baseline of socioeconomic conditions through socioeconomic surveys in Cavilli and Cagayancillo

2. Undertake resource use surveys in Cavilli and Cagayancillo

1. Surveys completed and project is able to use understanding of baseline socioeconomic conditions to work with communities to pursue sustainable resource use strategies

2. Project has a clear understanding of resource use patterns and develops appropriate interventions accordingly

1. Surveys reports 2. Information from

studies used in development of sustainable resource use strategies

1. Communities willing to participate in surveys and pursue sustainable resource use strategies

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification

Assumptions

2. Exploitation pressure on TRNMP decreases as Communities sustainably manage their natural resources with decreasing amounts of assistance from the project

II. Work with local communities to develop and implement a community-based sustainable resource management strategy including local reserves

1. Educate regarding potential of sustainable resource use strategies and marine reserves through cross visits - see Objective 2

2. Work with communities to set up sustainable resources use activities and local marine reserves

3. Help communities access needed technical support

4. Establish revolving fund for sustainable resource management and alternative livelihoods

5. Train communities to monitor changes in resource consumption pattern

6. Link this program to the awareness, education, communication program to ensure linkage to conservation of TRNMP

1. At least 5 sustainable resource use initiatives and/or local reserves established and managed by communities

2. Communities understand the linkages between conservation and sustainable resource use

3. Exploitation of TRNMP decreases as a result of these efforts

4. Communities need decreasing amounts of assistance from the project

1. Field reports indicate sustainable resource use programs and local reserves set up

2. Interviews, community meetings, and patrols report decreases community exploitation in TRNMP

3. Field staff report decreasing involvement as communities take over initiative management

1. Communities come to understand the value of sustainable resource use initiatives and local marine reserves, set them up, and enforce rules and regulations

2. Communities willing to participate in awareness and education modules and motivated to pursue the linkage between conservation and sustainable livelihoods

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Strategy Outcome Action Objectively Verifiable Indicator

Means of Verification Assumptions

3. Exploitation pressure in TRNMP decreases as communities are benefiting from several community-based alternative livelihood programs that are linked to conservation management through education and awareness

III. Work with local communities in the Cagayan Islands to develop and implement an alternative livelihood strategy that is linked to conservation management in TRNMP

1. Assess needs and desires of communities in terms of livelihoods and improving the quality of their lives

2. Undertake participatory feasibility studies for alternative livelihood strategies

3. Develop an alternative livelihood strategy

4. Assist communities to access needed technical support

5. Link this program to the awareness, education, communication program to ensure linkage to conservation of TRNMP

1. Completion of Assessment reports

2. Completion of feasibility studies

3. Completion of alternative livelihood strategy

4. The establishment of several alternative livelihood schemes such as sea grass aquaculture

5. Definite linkages forged with awareness, education, communication program through regular coordinating meetings and joint initiatives

6. Exploitation of TRNMP decreases as a result of these efforts

7. Communities participating in and leading alternative livelihood activities

1. Reports on various assessments, studies, and strategies

2. Actual alternative livelihood programs operating

3. Communications and joint planning between awareness, education, and information program and community development staff.

4. Interviews, community meetings, and patrols report decreases community exploitation in TRNMP

5. Observations of community participation and leadership on alternative livelihood strategies

1. There are feasible alternative livelihood strategies in these areas

2. Communities want to participate in alternative livelihood schemes.

3. Communities can access and synthesis the needed technical skills to manage

4. Communities will participate in awareness and education activities and can appreciate the linkage between conservation and alternative livelihood strategies

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Strategy Outcomes Activities Indicators by 2003 Means of Verification Assumptions 4. Criteria, indicators and guidelines (based on best practices) for biodiversity conservation incorporated into economic activities, plans and strategies.

IV. Work to develop and ensure that criteria, indicators, and guidelines (based on best practices) for biodiversity conservation are incorporated into economic development activities, plans, and strategies

1. Develop good relationship with developers and planning agencies

2. Track development plans that have potential to affect TRNMP

3. Develop criteria for environmental compatible development as needed

4. Review EIAs for any specific developments that might impact biodiversity at TRNMP

5. Use SEAMARIS information system to model possible impacts of various developments

6. Liaise with relevant planning agencies

7. Lobby for inclusion of guidelines and criteria for biodiversity conservation in relevant development plans and policy and regulatory mechanisms

1. Developers and development agencies willing to engage in dialogue regarding possible developments 2. Development plans assessed3. Criteria developed in consultation with developers 4. SEAMARIS used by decision makers to increase understanding of impacts of various development models 5. Economic development plans (as verified by review and EIAs) demonstrate low risk of negative impacts for the conservation of globally significant biodiversity. Policies and regulations reflect guidelines and criteria for biodiversity conservation

1. Review of development plans complete

2. Criteria documents3. SEAMARIS used

collaboratively with decision makers

4. Review of development plans, EIAs, policies, and regulations

1. Developers and provincial planning agency willing to share development plans with TPAMB and project staff 2. Decision makers will to use SEAMARIS3. Development plans and/or EIAs are prepared for developments in areas that would affect TRNMP (such as the Cagayan Islands).

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