The Coastal Environmental Profiling (CEP) of Barangay Mana, Malita, Davao Occidental, Philippines: Insights and Implications for Sustainable Management

Abstract

The study focused on ascertaining comprehensive coastal environmental profile of Barangay Mana, Malita, Davao Occidental. Coastal environmental profiling can help policy-makers design appropriate management strategies in the locality. A self-structured survey questionnaire and key informant interview were articulated to know the stratum of the coastal area in terms of socio- political setting, present natural resources, economic sector, existing people’s organization and management issues and opportunities. Purposive sampling technique was employed for data gathering following one-shoot sampling technique. Mean, percentage and catch per unit effort (CPUE) formula were used in analyzing the findings of the data. Results revealed that the overall population were 5,679 people, their average age is 31.92 and the productive gender is male. The average of their monthly income is Php7, 550.00 and business and fishing activities were common sources of income. An approximate 6 hectares wetland ecosystem were occupied by mangroves and shrubs grown and 1,500m coastline and 0. 4 hectares of estuaries were abundant with seaweeds, seagrasses, mollusks and crustaceans and by which has contributed to building marine species habitat and livelihood. Economic sector was uplifted by 16.32% of fishermen with their volume caught fishes that goes through fermented processing and fish selling. There were four (4) people’s organizations that are engaging with product development and innovation. These People’s Organization aims to generate alternative livelihood income, thereby reduce poverty dense in the barangay. They were likewise supplemented with opportunities designed to fish food security and resiliency and Sustainable Livelihood Programs (SLP) from Local Government Unit (LGU) and National Government Agencies (NGA’s). With the result of the study, it is recommended that Barangay Mana is still in need of various supports from local and national offices in adopting and addressing management issues in both economic and coastal environments.