Camotes Island Protected Landscape and Seascape

𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿 | 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧: 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙧’𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

A recent mangrove assessment was successfully conducted in DEMSAMAR (Dap-dap, Esperanza, Marine Sanctuary and Mangrove Reserve), Pilar, as part of the continuing conservation efforts under the Camotes Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (CIPLS). This activity not only aimed to monitor the health and structure of our mangrove ecosystems but also to raise awareness of their vital role in coastal protection, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.

One of the notable highlights of the assessment was the observation of 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙨, locally known as '𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘀-𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘀'. This rare and ecologically significant species reflects the unique richness of Pilar’s coastal environment—deserving of both recognition and protection. 🌱

Together, let us continue to protect and nurture our mangroves for a more resilient and sustainable future. 💚

𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗦 | 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆

"𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙑𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨, 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩!"

The Impact Monitoring within Ecotourism Sites of CIPLS was successfully conducted in Lake Danao, Union (San Francisco), and Teguis (Poro) as part of our ongoing commitment to transparent and inclusive development.

Through meaningful conversations with members of local people's organizations and livelihood practitioners, we gathered valuable data on household income, current living conditions, and access to appliances and resources. These insights are essential in assessing the effectiveness of community-based programs and in crafting more responsive, livelihood-centered policies.

Together, we ensure that progress is not just seen—but felt. 🌿📈

𝗧𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮 | 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

"𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚"

Mangrove assessments were successfully conducted in the coastal areas of Calmante and Puertobello, Tudela, under the Camotes Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (CIPLS). These field activities highlight the crucial role of mangroves in stabilizing coastlines, nurturing biodiversity, and buffering communities against storms and erosion.

By studying their structure and condition, we take a step closer toward informed conservation strategies and sustainable coastal management. Every root mapped and canopy measured brings us closer to protecting these natural guardians of the sea. 🌊🌱

𝗧𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀, 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗼 | 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

"𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨, 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝, 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙨." 🌿🌊

Assessment at the Teguis mangrove site posed notable challenges due to its varied topography and dense vegetation. Despite these complexities, key structural parameters—including 𝗚𝗕𝗛, 𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿—were successfully recorded, offering critical insights into the ecological dynamics of the area. These field conditions underscore the need for adaptive strategies when monitoring intricate coastal ecosystems.

Meanwhile, a seagrass assessment was also conducted in Teguis, Poro, where three 50-meter transects were laid, each with eleven observation plots. Among the seagrass species recorded were 𝙀𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨, 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙨, 𝘾𝙮𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙖, and 𝘾𝙮𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙖.

Beyond data collection, the activity also served to raise awareness on the importance of seagrass meadows and mangrove forests in sustaining marine biodiversity, protecting coastlines, and supporting local livelihoods—reinforcing the value of conservation efforts within protected landscapes. 🌱🌊

𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 | 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 (𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗦)

🌱 “𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚” 🌱

A successful mangrove assessment was recently conducted within the protected area of Unidos, San Francisco, as part of the ongoing conservation efforts under CIPLS. The activity was carried out with the valuable assistance from the concerned BLGU and LGU along with the Cebu Normal University interns, whose participation contributed greatly to the fieldwork’s efficiency and data accuracy.

The survey recorded some notable and ecologically important mangrove species, (i.e 𝘼𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙖, 𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙡𝙗𝙖, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙝𝙞𝙯𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙖)—each playing a critical role in coastal protection, biodiversity support, and carbon sequestration.

This assessment not only contributes to long-term ecological monitoring but also serves as a practical learning platform for aspiring environmental biologists and conservationists.

As your internship comes to an end, the CIPLS-PAMO want to express our gratitude for your hard work and contributions to our office. It's been a pleasure having you on board while watching you grow and learn.

We do hope you've gained valuable experience and insights during your very short time with us. Remember to stay curious, keep learning, and always pursue your passions.

Best of luck in your future endeavors, and we wish you all the success and happiness in the world! ☝️

Be seeing you, Camotes Angels (Ace, Bea, Krissy and Justine).

Happening now: We are honored to welcome our esteemed guests from the United Nations here in Camotes Island for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) mission. This visit highlights the importance of global collaboration in addressing the impacts of climate change.

The 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 (𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗦) under the 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 (𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗥) successfully conducted a 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 on June 23, 2025 at the 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗚𝘆𝗺, 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗼, 𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼, 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂

The activity aimed to educate the local community about the significance of protected areas in Camotes Island, highlighting its wilderness and rich wildlife species, the laws governing regulated and prohibited acts, and the zoning system, including strict protection and multiple use zones.

The event was well-attended by members of the 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆, reflecting their active interest and participation in environmental conservation and protection efforts.