Participatory Mangrove Management for Coastal Resiliency of Alitas Community in Quezon, Philippines

Overview

The Philippines’ National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) has the primary goal of building the adaptive capacity of local communities and increasing the resilience of natural ecosystems to climate change. This requires a good understanding of socio-ecological conditions vis-à-vis climate change, and maintaining its integrity through adaptation actions. This research project recognises coastal areas as ideal locations for demonstrating the importance of pursuing resiliency over a highly dynamic socio-ecological system. In particular, community-based mangrove management plays a vital role in enhancing local resilience against climatic hazards. The proposed research endeavours to describe how resiliency can be achieved, by examining: 1) societal structure, resource-dependency, and policies over mangrove resources; 2) impacts of climatic hazards to local community and mangrove ecosystem; and 3) potential role(s) that mangroves play in enhancing community resilience. This project will take Barangay Alitas in Quezon Province, Philippines as a case study. Key findings will be synthesised to distil strategies and recommendations for building local resilience based on the participatory/community-based mangrove management platform therein. Recommendations will be communicated to broader audience through information and educational campaign (IEC) materials and scientific publications.