Women-Managed Mangroves

Mayette June 23rd, 2008

Calbayog City, Western Samar
Tomaligues Women’s Association

(Originally written in Filipino from Women Managed Area – Pamamahala ng Kababaihan ng Pangisdaan, a publication of BUDYONG-Pinagbuklod na Lakas ng Kababaihan sa Pangisdaan (PLKP) with assistance from Oxfam Great Britain). For more information email budyong.women@yahoo.com.ph.

Introduction
The largest mangrove forests in Calbayog City are located in Barangay Tomaligues, measuring 10 hectares. Most of the residents are dependent in this resource. They collect shells as well as bangus and prawn fry which are sources of income for them.

The Tomaligues Women’s Association (TOWA) is one of the organizations formed as a result of community-based coastal resource management program of the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development, Inc. (CERD). TOWA is composed of 27 women and was formed last August 21, 1998.
Mangrove Reserve Area of Tomaligues
TOWA first proposed the establishment of Mangrove Protected Area several years ago in response to the unauthorized mangrove cutting for firewood and house repairs. Other problems faced by the mangrove forests include sand quarrying that causes death of the mangrove trees, soil erosion that leads to destruction of seagrass and corals.
Because of this, TOWA lobbied with barangay officials to declare the areas as “Mangrove Reserve Area”. The organization also initiated to protect and manage the area by reporting to barangay officials and DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) those that abuse the area.
Consultations were also conducted to minimize sand quarrying.
TOWA coordinated with KATOMAN, fishermen’s organization in the barangay to monitor and eliminate illegal mangrove cutting. The Women-Managed Area project with BUDYONG-PLKP became an opportunity to formulate a plan to protect and restore the degraded mangroves.
Objectives
The objective of the Women-Managed Area is to provide venue for women to put in practice their right to lead and protect their source of livelihood. This is also a venue for women to strengthen their organization.
Protection and Management of the Mangrove Forests by the Women
TOWA conducted Mangrove Management Training. They reviewed the principles of CBCRM, role of women in fisheries and management, strategies in management of the mangroves. It helped a lot that the training was facilitated by the BUDYONG-PLKP leader, a woman with long-standing experience in mangrove management.
TOWA also coordinated with barangay officials to come up with ordinance regarding the Mangrove Protected Area. A Barangay Resolution was signed not just by the officials but also by TOWA and KATOMAN, designating TOWA as the managing organization of the mangrove area. The barangay officials assisted in selecting the 2 hectares mangrove reforestation area to further increase the mangrove cover. And there is also a plan to apply for Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) with DENR to further strengthen TOWA’s and the communities’ authority over the mangrove forests of Tomaligues.
The women also established mangrove nursery that served as source of seedlings for mangrove reforestation. They collected mangrove propagules, prepared these in their backyards to grow and replanted these in the designated mangrove reforestation area. They are also guarding the mangrove area to report and apprehend illegal mangrove cutters.
The women also explain to the communities the laws that prohibit mangrove cutting.
Summary: Women Leadership in the Management of the Coastal Resources
* Training of women in mangrove management
* Coordination with the barangay and other organizations in mangrove management
* Establishment of mangrove nursery
* Women’s meetings to discuss implementation of mangrove management plan
Changes
In Women
* Through the Women-Managed Area the women increased knowledge in the management of natural resources like monitoring and proper mangrove planting.
* The women developed skills in leading, deciding, and planning for the welfare of the whole community. They also showed that women are not only for the households but they can also lead and govern, that they can also do what the men can do.
In Men
* The men also had their role in the Women-Managed Area project that they volunteered to do. They apprehended illegal mangrove cutters, placed net and fence in the replanted mangroves for protection.
* The men recognized that the management of the mangroves is lead by the women and they are partners in its implementation.
In Fisheries Management
* The plan to manage the mangroves was realized because of the Women-Managed Are project of the women.
* Management of the area is designated to the women in recognition of women’s capacity to lead in mangrove protection.
* The women (TOWA) have had a clear role in fisheries, distinct but related to the role of the men (KATOMAN)

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