Talim Bay Coastal Resources Management Project

       The De La Salle University (DLSU)-Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) DLSU-COSCA and the various Talim bay-Lian Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Localization Project stakeholders continue their support of activities that are necessary to help maintain the Bay's biodiversity and health. These activities include mangrove tree planting, snorkeling, and other reef appreciation activities participated by the community members and led by organizations of local fishers like the Lian Fisherfolks Association (LFA), Inc. and Women's Love Rural Improvement Club (RIC), among others. 

      The partnership for the Lian SDG Localization Project is a testament to the stakeholders' unwavering commitment to the health of Talim Bay. Their efforts in protecting the municipal coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests and ensuring the integrity of these ecosystems are commendable. They work hand in hand with the Talim Bay local fishers, maintaining strategic partnerships in close coordination with the LGU Lian, including concerned line government agencies involved in the National Greening Program and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, to effectively manage the Bay's resources.

       The LFA, one of the project's major stakeholders, continues to operate its community-based ecotourism activity, which has proven to be a successful alternative source of income for fishers. This initiative not only helps keep Talim Bay's health but also sustains the participation of community members. Their advocacy is shared through initiatives and experiences with environmental advocates, students, and other guests visiting Talim Bay. On the other hand, the Women Love RIC is exploring economic activities that will help generate additional income for their households.

       To ensure the successful implementation of the SDG localization project, DLSU, together with key officers from the Shields Ocean Research Center-Br. Alfred Shields FSC Marine Station (SHORE-BrAMS), Lasallian Mission Office of the DLSU-Laguna Campus, University Sustainability Office, and COSCA continue to hold collaborative stakeholders' consultations, planning, and evaluations. This comprehensive approach underscores our commitment to the project's success and the health of Talim Bay.  SHORE-BrAMS's Lead, Dr. Wifredo Licuanan shared, "We must create programs that do not compete but complement one another. The DLSU can help construct a business model based on our gathered data and create sustainable programs for the community."

(Photos by: Women’s Love RIC and DLSU-COSCA LSDP)

Talim Bay Stakeholders Evaluate Initiatives to Localize SDGs in Lian, Batangas

      De La Salle University (DLSU)-Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), DLSU-Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center, Local Government Unit of Municipality of Lian, Batangas, Lasallian Mission Office (Laguna Campus), and fisher folk organizations continue to pursue initiatives to help keep Talim Bay's health, sustain participation, especially of the key players in development, the fisher folks.  

      Stakeholders prepare to renew their commitment and sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the Lian SDG Localization Project. Project evaluation and consultation (Aug. 25, 2023, and September 13, 2023) among stakeholders are ongoing to plan and set the road map for the next 3 to 4 academic years. The project aims to contribute to the development agenda of the identified barangays in Lian, Batangas, focusing on four sustainable development areas: a) community education, b) livelihood/social enterprise, c) environment/disaster resiliency, and d) health.  

      The renewal of commitment for the Lian SDG Localization initiative also seeks to engage the Lasallian community and its key stakeholders in helping sustain biodiversity conservation initiatives through DLSU's various academic and social engagement activities ( i.e., conduct of capacity-building activities and facilitation of relevant projects and services such as strengthening of existing structures to encourage and nurture participation both at the LGU and community level, among others. 

      Talim Bay’s fisherfolk organizations  (Lian Fisherfolks Association, Samahan ng mga Mandaragat sa Sulok, Samahan ng mga Maliliit na Mangigisda sa Binubusan, Women's Love Rural Improvement Club, and Sagip Kabarangay at Mandaragat Lumaniag Association) continue to pursue/ support the mangrove reforestation activities-facilitating the replanting of mangroves in the areas that are affected and observed to have a low survival rate to sustain and improve the ecosystem of Talim Bay. Aside from mangrove reforestation, snorkeling, and reef appreciation activities with students and guests, stakeholders continue to check and monitor Talim Bay's reef in the MPA of Lumaniag, Lian, Batangas.

(Photos by DLSU-COSCA-LSDP and Mr. Emmanuel Ernest Cabangon)