Please note: due to the completion of the project, this website is now in archive status. Visit the new Blue Communities legacy website here for final outputs and any future updates.
16 December 2020
By Karen Madarcos and Prof. Lota Creencia, Western Philippines University 

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped how Blue Communities – Philippines (BCPh) worked on the GCRF Blue Communities legacy during the second half of 2020.

During this time, our team at the Western Philippines University (WPU) prioritized mentorship among our group, focused on local knowledge and strengthened interdisciplinary collaborative activities in evidence synthesis, marine governance, ecosystem services, health and well-being and communication research. We continually pursued data analyses and writing, coupled with a series of engagement activities with our 10 case study communities.

IEC_CS_Pictures.jpgTo highlight our legacy in these communities, which is to influence policy and practices among the locals, we conducted a community demand-driven activity entitled 'Information, Education and Communication (IEC) – Citizen Science (CS) Strategy Planning and Validation' in November and December 2020. Among the significant outputs are eliciting relevant work plans and commitments among the community officials, sectoral leaders and local educators towards sustainable management of coastal ecosystems with special concern for marine plastic litter.

Communities' Priority Needs
The IEC-CS Strategy Planning and Validation was a response to the communities' priority needs in coastal areas: Marine Resource Management, Marine Plastic Litter Management, and Livelihoods and Assets. Talking with the local leaders and fisherfolk on the ground, we identified their needs and how BCPh would be able to
extend assistance.
Community_demand_(1).jpg
Collaboration within WPU   
We presented the IEC-CS Strategy Planning and Validation proposal to WPU management, which led to a budgetary and logistic support commitment from the College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (CFAS) and Extension Services Office. This collaboration led to intensive co-planning among the offices involved to ensure bespoke training design: 1) strategies that optimize assigned topics, media, materials and target participants; 2) health and safety protocols/standards, and 3) safe space for both participants and resource persons.

Activities Tailored for Palawan’s Communities  
We conducted a series of events in 10 case study communities with 131 local officials, sectoral leaders and basic education teachers. Multi-media presentations featuring the study results on community baseline profiles, maps, ecosystem services, and coastal community perceptions (Projects 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12) and seminars on marine interaction, marine resource management, plastic litter management and coastal livelihood were delivered to attendees. We recognized the communities’ contribution and participation in our research in the presentation of the Blue Communities Report. Our team presented bespoke video materials that increased the engagement of participants as well as reduce face-to-face contact in the venue. Eventually, local schools and officials requested these materials for community viewing.

We designed the training not only to present their communities’ ownership and the importance of rich coastal resources but also to stir their hearts and minds towards a paradigm shift in management. Our team constantly adjusted to each community, considering what fits their group and bringing in learnings from previous activities with other communities. Interaction and exchange of local knowledge were highly encouraged leading to engaged participants producing their bespoke marine IEC plan.

The IEC plan features priority areas and marine resources for policy support and advocacy activities in each community, using bespoke and co-created materials and activities ranging from radio ads, video presentation, posters, community meetings/assemblies, and social media engagements. Skills and opportunities helpful for these advocacies were mapped and committed. Expert and local knowledge from participants and resource persons were maximized in the creation of these plans. A video of these activities can be viewed at: https://fb.watch/28s65oQJOv/ 

Commitment and Long-Term Partnership
Triggered by the need to create networks that will aid their communities in managing their marine resources, the leaders of three barangays straightaway called for a long-term partnership with the BCPh team. The team is set to conduct another meeting in the coming days with their local government units and other stakeholders to discuss the specific contributions each partner will provide for this undertaking. The rest of the seven barangays will conduct similar activities and co-created IEC materials using the contributions of the Citizen Science and the expertise from the WPU.

Future Plans
The pandemic posed several challenges to BCPh in reaching outward and forward. However, it also presented many opportunities for the team to focus on impact and create shifts in strategies and media to deliver understandable messages. In the next few months, the team will continue with the scientific and policy paper writing as well as focus on investing in the capacity of the communities to form the valuable Blue Communities legacy.

For more stories and materials, visit @BlueCommunitiesPhilippines on Facebook.

To return to Blue Communities News December 2020, please click here.
 
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