Project SeaCareMohamad Ali E. Ramber

Problem Statement

• The city government of Pagadian City has been very active in promoting environmental awareness and protection through its continued campaign against illegal logging, proper management of marine and coastal ecosystem, proper waste disposal, recycling and the like.

Problem Statement

• However, these initiatives proven to be inadequate because some environmental problems continue to subsist particularly coastal and seawater pollution. The prevalent increase of building coastal houses over the years has exacerbated also the problem.

Community Need

• Most of the residents of Barangay, San Pedro Pagadian City are fisher folks. Thus, it is imperative to maintain good quality of seawater and coastal lands because it has huge impact to biodiversity and survival of marine species such as fish and other edible sea creatures.

Objectives

• This initiative aims to design doable and practical solution for coastal and seawater caring of Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City. Specifically, it seeks

– to conduct scientific assessment of seawater quality within the area;

Objectives

– to engage with the residents, local officials and other stakeholders through series of relevant environmental undertakings; and

– to develop community activism and environmental stewardship among junior students of Pagadian City Science High School.

Solution Statement

• Project SeaCare believes that taking care of the quality of seawater and coastal lands to maintain biodiversity and survival of marine organisms is tantamount to helping the residents Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City sustain their basic needs.

Outputs

• Scientific Data of seawater quality of Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City to be published both in soft and hard media and to be submitted to DENR and DOST;

• Trash-free coastal area of Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City; and

• Pagsci Volunteers Program (PVP)

Outcomes

• Promotes culture of scientific research on environment;

• Residents, barangay officials and other stakeholders become more conscious and involved in caring for coastal and seawater within their area; and

Outcomes

• Junior students of Pagadian City Science high school imbibe spirit of volunteerism and environment stewardship.

LESSONS

• Project SeaCare is anchored on knowledge, skills and insights learned from the sessions of Dr. Susan Russell on Environmental Issues in the Philippines: The Role of Youth in Environmental Sustainability and Stewardship, Prof. Andrea Guzman on Social media as tools for advocacy and Prof. Chris Birks on Effective Communication for Community Organizing.

Lessons

Specifically about..

• The great potential of the youth to engage and take the lead in community activism and environmental stewardship.

• The power of social media to influence and share your advocacy on a larger scale.

Lessons

• The importance of sharing your greater ideas effectively in order to achieve positive change.

Lessons

How to applied it?

• By maximizing the knowledge, skills and attitude acquired about youth dynamism and vigor, role of social media and effective communication.

Lessons

• Unlike any environmental undertakings in my locality, Project SeaCare is not a one shot deal. It is composed of series of relevant activities anchored on sustainability, community activism, environmental stewardship and effective communication.

Organizational Partners

Barangay Council of San Pedro, Pagadian City

Community Partners

• Residents of Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City

Pre-Program Action Plan

• Meeting with the school principal for comments and recommendations

• Forming Pagsci Volunteers Program (PVP)

• Meeting and expectation setting with Barangay Officials of San Pedro, Pagadian City for partnership.

Pre-Program Action Plan

• Teambuilding and Orientation of PVP members.

• Identifying potential donors and sponsors

• Coordinating with PAWAD, DOST and DENR for possible assistance.

• Launching of the Project SeaCare and the Pagsci Volunteers Program (PVP)

Program Action Plan

• Conducting scientific research on the quality of seawater and coastal lands in Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City.

• Discussing Project SeaCare among the residents of San Pedro, Pagadian City through home visitation to spell out their significant role.

Program Action Plan

• Meeting with Barangay Officials to discuss the possibility of enacting ordinance in maintaining quality seawater and coastal lands.

• Doing coastal clean-up and mangrove tree planting.

Post Action Plan

• Sharing of the result of the scientific research about the quality of seawater and coastal lands in San Pedro, Pagadian City among concerned agencies and stakeholders through social media and other means.

• Conducting of impact assessment of the project.

Budget

Sustainability Plan

To ensure sustainability, the following shall be conducted

• weekly monitoring of the planted mangrove trees with Pagsci Volunteers Program members;

• regular meeting with the Barangay Council of San Pedro, Pagadian City.

Sustainability Plan

• capacity building activities to hone the knowledge, skills and attitude of Pagsci Volunteers Program members; and

• maintain an updated website and facebook page.

Daghang salamat Daghang salamat higala… higala…