Case Study: Philippines

In 1994, a dynamic new non-governmental organisation called the Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc (PRRCFI) was launched in Manila with the aim of safeguarding the Philippine's most diverse, important and threatened ecosystems. Top of their list of priorities was Danjugan Island, a virtually untouched jewel lying to the west of Negros Occidental.

Two UK organisations were invited to assist with the PRRCFI's aims. The World Land Trust spearheaded fundraising activities to secure the capital needed to purchase the island before developers moved in, while CCC launched an extensive programme of expeditions. Eventually, CCC's involvement in the Philippines would extend to other parts of the country. CCC currently runs marine expeditions to Southern Leyte and forest expeditions to Negros. This case study describes CCC's long and ongoing commitment to this stunning archipelago.

Danjugan Island Portrait

Lying in the Sulu Sea, 3km west of Negros Occidental, Danjugan Island (1.5km by 0.5km) rises steeply to 80m and is covered in rainforest - home to sea eagles, herons, sunbirds, several varieties of bats and many other species.
There are three lagoons; two landlocked and one flooded at high tide and colonised by coral and reef fish species.
Danjugan is fringed with turtle-nesting beaches and surrounded by diverse coral reefs.

First Steps

In early 1993, at the suggestion of William Oliver, a UK conservationist working on endangered species in the Philippines, Gerry Ledesma President of the PRRCFI, contacted John Burton of the World Land Trust and asked for assistance in saving the island from development.
The World Land Trust asked Sue Wells, an international expert on coral reefs, to visit the island and report on its importance.
Her report was favourable and the World Land Trust approached CCC to see if they would be prepared to become involved with developing a plan for protecting the marine resources.
Late 1995 witnessed the first phase of the Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Project. CCC worked with Filipino counterparts to undertake baseline surveys of unexplored reefs surrounding Danjugan Island. The work carried out during this phase established the framework for an ongoing extensive programme of surveys.
Meanwhile, the World Land Trust continued to raise funds for the purchase of Danjugan through its unique 'green share' purchase scheme. Many CCC volunteers and supporters contributed to the scheme.

Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

Survey results from CCC expeditions during between 1995 and 1998 played a crucial role in the proposal for a Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary.
The forthcoming declaration of the new reserve is announced at a special reception at London's Royal Geographical Society during 1997 International Year of the Reef.
The Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary was structured to provide regulated fishing areas and no-fishing areas - essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of nearby fishing communities. Working closely with members of local villages, such as Bulata, a highly successful stewardship and alternative livelihood programme was established to provide effective local management.
The success at Danjugan encouraged the development of the wider-reaching Southern Negros Coastal Development Programme.

New Frontiers

While surveys and monitoring continued at Danjugan, CCC (again in partnership with the PRRCFI) began a new programme of marine surveys in 1997 to Taytay Bay on the island of Palawan.
The Negros Rainforest Conservation Project was also launched to protect one of the country's last remaining pockets of undisturbed primary rainforest - a vital refuge for many endemic species. This project is ongoing and is developing into a successful watershed conservation and management initiative. CCC is working with both local NGO and government partners in order to develop a GIS-based decision support system in order to facilitate the sustainable management of the area via the stewardship of local stakeholders.
Another terrestrial project, the Cagdanao Island Forest Project provided important habitat mapping resources during the late 1990s.

Capacity Building & Skills Development

CCC initiated its Diving Scholarship Programme (which had proved so successful in Belize) on all of its Philippine expeditions. Hundreds of Filipinos have been taught how to dive, identify marine life and perform surveys. This programme continues at CCC's current project base on the island of Southern Leyte.

Education

Numerous education projects were carried out alongside scientific survey work. These included school visits, marine camps on Danjugan Island and the distribution of coral reef and rainforest conservation posters and displays throughout the Philippines.

Results

Establishment of the Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in February 2000.
Recommendation for a further five Marine Protected Areas as a result of the Southern Negros Coastal Development Programme.
Completion of two successful rapid surveys of the terrestrial biodiversity of Danjugan, highlighting the importance of the island's varied habitats for many endemic and threatened fauna. Conservation management recommendations proposed.
Numerous education, alternative livelihood and skills development projects initiated.
Thousands of CCC volunteers have taken part in expeditions to the Philippines.

Best Managed Reef Award

The PRRCFI receive the Best Managed Reef Award 2001.

At an awards ceremony in Manila on Friday 25 January 2002, UK-based Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) and the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. were praised for their "exemplary collaborative conservation efforts" in protecting the exceptionally-rich coral reef that surrounds Danjugan Island off the coast of Negros Occidental in the Philippines.

The award was made by the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and PhilReefs (newsletter of the University of the Philippines).

CCC volunteers played a key part in the declaration of Danjugan as a National Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary in February 2000. The new award also recognises the invaluable collaborative partnership and support of the local fishing community of Bulata without whose involvement Danjugan Island and its spectacular coral reef might never have been saved.