Talim Bay Coastal Resources Management Project

A reef ranger training was conducted by the center for social concern and action (COSCA) last April 10 and 11, 2014 at brgy binubusan, lian, batangas. the objectives of the sessions include the following: 1. provide essential water safety skills to new members of the reef rangers in brgy binubusan; 2. identify marine sites in the said brgy which can be developed into ecotourism areas; 3. expand possible livelihood opportunities for the local residents.

The actual training was conducted by 3 senior reef ranger volunteers. this is a deliberate strategy employed by the COSCA to further empower the local fishers and at the same time encourage them to share their experiences with others. By the end of the 2 day training, the new reef rangers from the brgy were able to formalize their local structures and to identify other needs that have to be addressed prior to their full operation.

This activity is part of the talim bay coastal resources management project by cosca in partnership with the local government unit of lian, batangas. Its ultimate aim is to promote an appropriate resource management scheme within the municipality that anchors on the following principles: people empowerment, sustainability, systems oriented, and research based. 

Twenty fishers and local residents from Brgys. Lumaniag, Binubusan and Luyahan attended the reef ranger snorkeling guide training conducted by the team led by Mr. Louie Mencias and Mr. Reymundo Pomarca last December 10 to 15, 2013. The 6 day session aims to provide the participants with knowledge and skills on the following: Introduction to the Philippine coral reefs and the marine environment, community based eco-tourism; coastal resource management, seven environmental principles; outdoor guiding principles and techniques, basic and advanced technique in snorkeling, and first aid and water safety.

This is sequel to the previously conducted reef ranger training phase 1. For this session, a new set of participants were to be trained as reef ranger guides in anticipation of the increase in the number of local tourists coming to view the protected reef of Talim Bay.

The ultimate objective of this training is to provide the local resource users supplemental source of income while protecting their own ecosystems.