Sibuyan

Building Environmentally
Sustainable and Resilient
Island Communities

by Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes, Inc.

Programme Partnership Agreement (PPA) Resiliency Project of

Strategic Interventions
In June 2010 Philippine Network of Rural Development
Institutes, Inc. (PhilNet) entered the mining sites of
struggle in San Fernando, Romblon (Barangays Taclobo,
Espaa, Mabini) and Barangay Anislagan, Placer, Surigao
del Norte on invitation from Christian Aid and her partners
- Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for Environment, Inc.
(Sibuyan ISLE) and the Legal Rights and Natural Resources
Centre - Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth
Philippines (LRC-KsK/FoE) respectively, which are members
of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM). The contract was to assist the
communities therein to develop sustainable livelihoods
that could build their resilience and also strengthen their
resolve to resist mining in their localities. Scoping visits
were conducted to get an overview of the livelihood
situation of the target barangays and to forge preliminary
understanding about the project with the barangay officials
PhilNets Andres Tionko converses with community elders in the
and, in the case of San Fernando, with the municipal
first year of the resiliency project in Sibuyan Island, Romblon.
government. The baseline then for a resiliency program was
practically zero. The communities were being assisted by Christian Aid through ATM in their struggle to ward
off mining operations in their places. Also, the three barangays of San Fernando were among the beneficiaries
of the relief assistance of Christian Aid in the aftermath of Typhoon Frank/Fengshen.
The project timeframe was August 16, 2010 until August 15, 2011. This was cut short however in June 2011
to pave the way for the three-year (2011-2014) Programme Partnership Agreement (PPA) Resiliency Project
which, for PhilNet, officially commenced in July 2011.
Project activities started with seminar workshops on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and
climate change. The outputs of the planning process were the sitio-based hazard maps and the community
recommendations for barangay contingency plans. Mainstreaming of these agenda were left to the
community to pursue, since the barangay council members of were active participants in the planning
process, so that PhilNet could focus on developing sustainable livelihoods. The outputs of the participatory
capacity and vulnerability analysis (PCVA), however, served as guide for developing sustainable livelihoods.
Philnet believes that sustainable livelihood development should start where the community is, whether there is
room still for improving current livelihoods in terms of enhancing productivity and income and sustainability.
Value chain analysis of current products and services of the community is a handy tool that can guide the
community and households decide on what projects to invest in.
Since all barangays engaged depended on agriculture,
PhilNets intervention commenced with a series of training on
sustainable farming focusing on organic rice and vegetables
cultivation and the production of organic inputs through
composting and fermentation of readily available raw
materials. Having the capacity to produce their own farming
inputs will enable households to save on cost of production
and therefore improve incomes. It can also strengthen their
capacity to bounce back faster after a disaster.
Hence, PhilNets PPA Resiliency Project in Sibuyan Island
highlights PCVA and mainstreaming DRR; and developing
sustainable livelihoods.

Island Paradise
This ice-age island called Sibuyan (composed of three
municipalities in the province of Romblon: Magdiwang,
Cajidiocan and San Fernando) is undoubtedly a hotspot for
biodiversity conservation as seen by the scientific
community. Biologists claim that the island has vast variety
of flora and fauna species found nowhere else in the world.
The National Museum counted 1,551 trees in one hectare
with 223 species, of which 54 are endemic, concluding that
Sibuyan has the worlds densest forest, as confirmed by
noted botanist Dr. Domingo Madulid. Thirty-three percent of
the land area is basically primary forest which covers more
than 140 square kilometers.
This 445 square kilometer island is a center of endemism,
according to the US-based scientific institute The Field
Museum which also says that the beetles and lizards of
Ninox philippinensis spilonota or commonly known as Romblon
Hawk-owl. (Photo credit: Bram Demeulemeester from Flickr)
Sibuyan have yet to be studied, but it would be a good bet
that more new species remain to be discovered by biologists.
Sibuyan Island boasts 700 vascular plant species and is a critical plant site as described by the Philippine
National Herbarium. A scientific study conducted by University of the Philippines researcher Miah Mayo Malixi
shows that there are 35 endangered and endemic species in almost all barangays outside the protected area,
Mt. Guiting-guiting Natural Park (MGGNP). With an approximate area of 15,265.48 hectares, MGGNP has been
established by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 746 in 1996 under the National Integrated Protected Areas
System Act (NIPAS) or Republic Act 7586. Moreover, a publication Priority Sites for Conservation in the
Philippines: Key Biodiversity Areas by the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) exposes that there are one critically endangered, four endangered,
and eight vulnerable species of biodiversity within and outside the protected area.
In a publication of DENR together with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), New Conservation
Areas in the Philippines Project, it assesses that several new (endemic mammal) species have been discovered
in small islands such as Sibuyan (five new species) and Camiguin (two new species), catapulting these islands to
a new status as centers of mammal endemism. It further explained that the distribution of land mammals
illustrates that each island that existed in the Philippines during the latest Ice Age period is a unique center of
biodiversity. Smaller islands that remained isolated during the Ice Age, although small, are also considered
unique centers of biodiversity. One example is Sibuyan Island (463 km2), which hosts four species of endemic
non-flying mammals (plus one bat), a total exceeding that of any country in Europe.
Almost every year, new biological species are being
discovered. In 2008, a new species of stick insect has been
discovered, the Pharnacia magdiwang. In 2010, a new
species of shrew has been documented, Crocidura ninoyi.
Gekko coi or Leonards Forest Gecko, named after famous
taxonomist Leonardo Co, was known in 2011. And in 2012, a
new owl species has been found, Ninox philippensis
spilonota.

Sibuyan ISLEs Rodne Galicha and Romblon Governors chief of

staff Trina Firmalo examine the critically endangered endemic
carnivorous pitcher plant species named Nepenthes sibuyanensis
on the slopes of Mt. Guiting-guiting. (Photo credit: Trina Firmalo.)

MGGNP has been proclaimed by PAWB as an Important Bird

Area (PH 058) and Conservation Priority Site (CPA 82). The
seas of water surrounding Sibuyan and Romblon Islands have
been considered as a priority conservation area for
Cetaceans. Sibuyan Island is also a Conservation Priority Area
for amphibians and reptiles.
In addition, the whole island has been declared a mangrove
forest swamp reserve through Presidential Proclamation
2152 in 1981, putting it as an initial component for NIPAS.

Challenges and Threats

For years, the whole province of Romblon, including Sibuyan

Island, has been stricken by flooding, landslides, storm surges
and typhoons, to mention Typhoons Frank in 2008, among
others, which devastated crops and livestock amounting to Php
110 million. Further, the combined climate and weather related
risks vulnerability of the Romblon is relatively high. In fact, the
geohazard maps of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau show
that almost 100% of Sibuyan Island barangays are highly
susceptible to flood. Additionally, nearly 85% of Sibuyan Island
is highly susceptible to landslides.

On 23 December 2009, five days before he resigned as

environment head, Secretary Lito Atienza approved a Mineral
Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) valid for 25 years in
favor of Altai Philippines Mining Corporation (Altai), a
Mines and Geosciences Bureaus landslide susceptibility
subsidiary of Canada-based Altai Resources Inc., which is now
geohazard map of Sibuyan Island, Romblon. Red areas
operated
by Sibuyan Nickel Properties Development Corporation
shows highly suspectble zones.
(SNPDC) by virtue of an agreement on November 2004 with
SNPDCs Australian Connection and shareholder Sunshine Gold
Pty. Ltd., a subsidiary of Australia-based Pelican Resources Ltd. As early as 2006, SNPDC, through its
subsidiaries All-Acacia Resources Inc. and Sun-Pacific Resources Inc., was granted two small-scale mining
permits before operating under Altais mineral rights.
In 2007, then DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes issued a Special Cutting of Trees Permit within 406 hectares of
land, equal to 9,455.183 cubic meters or more or less four million board feet, in which conservation
institution Haribon Foundation assessed that there are threatened tree species to be cut such as apitong and
yakal species included in the national list of endangered plant species. Although the permit has been
suspended, it was neither revoked nor cancelled and may be lifted anytime.
As of September 2012, there are active applications for MPSA in an area of 623.70 hectares for feldspar,
1,791.21 hectares for nickel and chromite exploration, and 544.3 hectares for gold under Minahang Bayan.
Despite the joint resolution of the three municipalities of Sibuyan: Magdiwang, Cajidiocan and San Fernando
which clearly says that Sibuyan Islands sustainable development can be achieved through enhancing the vast
agricultural lands and natural bounties of the island than through the temporal benefits mining industry have
promised; and believed that in the pursuit of the development of the passionate care for Mother Earth and the
Environment shall not be set aside and disregarded, the national government still accepts mining
applications in the island.
With the call of communities, and one life sacrificed in the
person of San Fernando Councilor Armin Rios Marin, the
local government units invoked their constitutional rights
to a healthful and balanced ecology under Article II
Sections 15 and 16 of the Philippine Constitution and the
general welfare clause of the Local Government Code of
1991, Chapter II Section 16; the provisions of Climate
Change Act, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act,
National Integrated Protected Areas Act, Wildlife
Conservation and Protection Act, Philippine Agenda 21;
and in the spirit of the Convention on Biodiversity, Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development, the United
Nations Millennium Development Goals; intergenerational
responsibility and precautionary principles were also
highlighted to exempt Sibuyan Island from mining.
The MPSA was suspended in 2011 due to lack of social
acceptability and the communities continue to lobby for
the revocation of the license.

More than 8,000 people protested in 2006 against the

commencement of mining operations in Barangay Taclobo, San
Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon. (Photo credit: Sibuyan ISLE.)

Typhoon Frank
Due to the unexpected massive disaster of typhoon Frank on
the 21st of June 2008, majority of houses along the coastal
areas of Sibuyan Island were washed-out and damaged.
Possible contamination of endosulfan, other chemicals and
fuel from the sunken M/V Princess of the stars endangered
the life and livelihood of the island people. Sibuyanons
depend mainly on the abundance of the sea through fishing
and the agriculture industry had been vasty damaged.

Clockwise: Cajidiocan coastal houses are gravely

devastated; the once fishing community of Mabini of San
Fernando was washed-out; damaged elementary school of
Mabini; a damaged house. (Photo credit: Sibuyan ISLE.)

The national government focused on the M/V Princess of the

Stars tragedy, the fate of the island-people remained
unnoticed and those who were totally affected had been for
days neglected. The local government especially of San
Fernando was right in saying that the people are victims,
too, that they needed food, shelter and clothing.

To quickly respond to the needs of the people, Sibuyan ISLE

through the assistance Christian Aid facilitated by ATM and
LRC-KsK/FoE Phils., delivered 7.5 tons of relief goods to first
500 families who were gravely affected by the typhoon. Dubbed as SAM-Calamity Response (SAM-CARE) , the
goods were distributed on the 28th of June 2008 through the Social Action Centers (SAC) and Basic Ecclesial
Communities (BEC) group of the parishes of the Vicariate of Sibuyan.
The SAM-CARE Task Force Sibuyan Relief Operation used the international standard of conducting
humanitarian relief activities through the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster
Response (SPHERE). The quick response relief operation started on June 23, 2008. The main objective was to
reach out to the poorest of the poor.
A crucial task is being undertaken by the Task Force Sibuyan team for the subsequent relief efforts. A
management team and system based on the assessment of the Christian Aid Rapid Response Assessment
Team (CARRAT) was developed to ensure accountability, transparency and efficiency of the whole
humanitarian operation following the SPHERE standards.
The Claret School of Quezon City offered its Auditorium for the storage and repacking of a targeted 3,000
packs of relief goods which include 15,000 kilos of rice, food and non-food items composed of carpentry
tools, kitchen utensils and hygiene set, among others. At this period, the Association of Major Religious
Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) offered their assistance.
The relief items which weighed approximately 40 tons were
transported to Sibuyan Island on the 21st of July 2008.
Distribution by land and sea was done through the BEC and
SAC. Selection of beneficiaries was based on international
humanitarian standards prescribed by the SPHERE Project.
General qualification is that the recipient should be poorest
of the poor in which hierarchy of prioritizations and
screenings was prudently and justly conducted. More than
3,500 households (approximatey 17,000 people) benefited
from the relief operations.
Notably, the task force experienced bringing relief items
directly to the beneficiaries by taking motorized bancas and a
7-kilometer walk with the indigenous peoples passing
through rivers because the roads are not still passable.
The task force complied with the international humanitarian
standard of conducting relief operation in just one month,
that is from June 25 to July 25, especially in the isolated island
of Sibuyan.

Distribution of relief packages in Sibuyan Island assisted by

LRC-KsK/FoE Phils. (Photo credit: Sibuyan ISLE).

Resiliency Project
To address challenges and threats in Sibuyan Island towards attaining sustainable development under
Christian Aids Programme Partnership Agreement, PhilNet focused on community skills and capacity
building, participatory policy formulation and promotion of sustainable livelihoods.

Communities are better prepared to anticipate, reduce risks and

respond

to

disasters

through

training and

information sharing.

Local organizations, authorities and communities actively

participate in policy discussions, advocating

for and influencing an improved enabling
environment for increased resilience.

Households,

communities

and

resilient livelihoods

beneficiaries

and

safety

demonstrated reduced vulnerability to shocks and hazards.

develop
nets,

with

Mainstreaming DRRM

PCVA

In 2010, as post-typhoon Frank intervention, PhilNet was contracted

to assess sustainable livelihoods potentials in three barangays of
San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon: Mabini, Espaa and
Taclobo. Understanding the vulnerabilities and threats in these
areas, climate change and disaster risk reduction and management
(DRRM) planning were conducted using Participatory Capacity and
Vulnerability Analysis (PCVA). The outputs of the planning process
were
sitio-based
hazard
maps
and
the
community
recommendations for the barangay contingency plan.
Upon the completion of the resiliency project from 2011-2014, of
the original target of 12 barangays of the municipality of San
Fernando (Agtiwa, Mabini, Mabulo, Espaa, Taclobo, Pili, Poblacion,
Panangcalan, Campalingo, Azagra, Otod and Canjalon), 6 barangays
of the municipality of Cajidiocan (Sugod, Lumbang Este,
Marigondon, Cambalo, Danao and Cantagda) were included in
mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and management following
the PCVA process. All 18 barangays adopted the results of the PCVA
workshops conducted as their local contingency plan by virtue of
Barangay Council Resolutions.
These barangays have already
started implementing their plan in varying degrees
and Quick
Reaction Teams (QRT) had been organized, as well. Noterthy, six
barangays established sitio-based QRTs.
The data generated by the workshops in San Fernando were
transformed into 3-dimensional maps that each barangay has made
through the assistance of mapping experts from Green ForumWestern Visayas who also generated digitized versions of the maps.
Barangays engaged received provisions for capacity building
support of their choice which include communication equipment,
food stock and flood control assistance.
Partner barangays demonstrated alertness during weather
disturbances, from monitoring the disturbance, alerting the
residents and enforcing pre-emptive evacuation as manifested
during the Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.

Mainstreaming DRRM

WASAR

Since Sibuyan Sea has been affected by unpredictable results of

monsoons and almost all barangays of Sibuyan Island has been
identified as highly susceptible to flooding either from storm
surges, sea level rise or swelling rivers, PhilNet initiated capacity
building activities for disaster preparedness and management..
Three batches of Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training were
conducted during the period with a total of 119 (39, 44 and 36)
participants, 7 of whom were women including the two PhilNet staff
members.
These batches were made possible with the collaboration of the
Philippines Coast Guard Team based in San Fernando who acted as
trainers, the ABS-CBN Foundation which contributed to the cost of
the 2nd batch, and the Cajidiocan municipal government which
contributed also to the 2nd and 3rd batches.
Another batch (4th) of training with 80 participants organized by
the municipal government of San Fernando was financially
supported. The trainers of this batch came from the Metro Manila
Development Authority.
This brought the total number of trained persons in WASAR to 199
coming from 17 of the 18 partner barangays in San Fernando and
Cajidiocan and 2 non-partner barangays in Cajidiocan.

Participation and Influence

RTDs/Fora

Highlighting the importance of understanding the nexus of disaster

risk reduction and management, climate change and the need to
value sustainable development advocacy towards resiliency, PhilNet
initiated series group discussions, conferences and fora. Topics
tackled include understanding disasters and impacts of climate
change, DRRM and Climate Change laws, identifying hazards and
mapping exposure to these hazards, identifying communitys
vulnerabilities and capacities, identifying DRR options and
formulating contingency plans.
With Community DRR Agenda as output, participants' risk
assessment and and risk reduction recommendations were detailed
down the sitio level. The participation of barangay officials ensured
that output of the activity can easily be formally adopted by the
barangay council. During the course of the activities, participants
learned that disasters occur because there are people who are
vulnerable and exposed to hazards; global temperature is rising and
is causing changes in the climate that they are already experiencing
such as scorching heat of the sun, irregular arrival of monsoons that
affects both farming and fishing, unpredictability of rainfall pattern.
Collaborating with the academe, partner non-government
organizations and local government units, PhilNet conducted
conferences and fora in schools which aim to understand disasters
and climate change and pertinent laws regarding these matters,
what can the educational institution can do to reduce risks. At the
end, the students were able identified their roles in risk reduction
and climate change mitigation such as information dissemination,
tree growing and proper waste management, among others.
To create a venue for Sibuyan Island stakeholders to discuss the
current situation of agriculture and livelihoods, projected impacts of
climate change, and determine options for securing adequate food
supply and livelihoods for the growing population of the island, a
Round Table Discussion (RTD) on Agriculture, Livelihoods and
Climate Change was conducted. The RTD, attended by 40
Sibuyanons from three municipalities, was an eye opener for
participants regarding the degree of inadequacy of the islands food
production capacity as demonstrated in current hectarage and
productivity levels of ricelands and imported volumes of rice,
rootcrops and vegetables and even dried fish, among other basic
necessities, from neighbouring islands.
Adaptation options identified are improving agriculture production
with drought and flood tolerant OPV/inbred varieties , soil and crop
matching, more mechanical drying
facilities, expansion and
rehabilitation of irrigation cum drainage facilities; enhanced
production of rice, rootcrops and vegetables, increasing production
of livestock and poultry (especially eggs); protection and
development of mangrove areas,
establishment of more fish
sanctuaries.

Sustainable Livelihoods

Vermiculture
In the advent of the resiliency project, two kilograms of African
Night Crawler earthworms were distributed in San Fernando
benefiting 8 farmers to start off vermi-composting at the same time
that two units of rice hull carbonizer were provided there to aid the
composting initiatives.
Upon the formal implementation of the project for one year, 2012
saw six household beneficiaries. A year later, at the end of 2013,
PhilNet recorded 33 vermicomposting practitioners which
surprisingly skyrocketed to a number of 63 household practitioners
in March 2014 (with three male members). 15 of the 63 were
supported financially while the rest were provided with earthworms
only either by PhilNet or by other practitioners.
To further note in detail, from 13 households and one elementary
school in March 2013 to 22 households and one elementary school
in September 2013 to 63 households and one elementary school in
March 2014, it was 79.4% increase in one year!
Currently, composters are located in three barangays of San
Fernando (Taclobo, Espaa and Mabulo), who has formed an
association to strengthen production and marketing, and two in
Cajidiocan (Danao and Alibagon).
Having 0.2 hectares of ricefield, Minerva Romero of Espaa now
harvests a maximum of 25 cavans of rice using only three bags of
vermicast which costs only Php 1,500.00 from getting only 20-22
cavans spending an expensive Php 2,500.00 cost of two bags of
urea chemical fertilizer.
In tandem with her husband, Taclobo resident Anna Rollon who
heads the association, she experienced an increased production
capacity of 500% after three years with 99% of the product sold.
Male composter Jerson Vicente of Taclobo has been using his
vermicast product for his own rice farm. In the first cropping 2013,
he managed to decrease chemical fertilizer utilization by 50%.
At present, PhilNet estimated vermicast production capacity at one
metric ton per week with monetary value of P10,00 per week.
As a result, this intervention contributed to resilient livelihoods
building through improved income and cost reduction; income
opportunities for neighbours from selling of substrates to
composters; sturdier crops as observed by users; healthy food rice
and vegetables; involvement of entire family in the enterprise
(enhanced family synergy); influencing farming system in the
locality; cleaner environment; and carbon emission reduction from
reduced use of chemical fertilizers.

Sustainable Livelihoods

Fisheries

Main source of livelihood in Sibuyan Island is its abundant sea which

gives approximately one million tons of fish catch annually. PhilNet
sees this as an opportunity to enhance and advocate sustainable
fishery.
One sustainable way is to promote the utilization of fish shelters.
Eight barangays were assisted (7 in San Fernando, 1 in Cajidiocan)
with potential beneficiaries of 674 full-time and part-time fishers.
Having Php 250,000.00 value of investment with 32% local
counterpart, there were 35 actual units established out of 39
constructed as of March 2014. Of these only 17 remained at sea, 8
were destroyed by strong southwest monsoon and typhoon
Yolanda, 11 went missing and 11 were put to shore.
The intervention made fishing easier for fishers and other residents
as well. Fisherfolk testimonies revealed that it actually reduced
fishing time from 5-7 hours down to 1.5-2 hours. More than 65% of
those benefited fished for own consumption only (employees,
laborers, farmers from 5-6 AM). Although, based on the sharing of
246 fisherfolk-participants in a series of evaluation meetings in 8
barangays held from March 2014, it would appear that the project
was not able to provide reliable source of livelihood for full time
fishers in most areas. Fishers attribute this to the fact that these
were established in relatively shallow and clear waters that only
small take shelter. Most of these fishers want to transfer the
shelters to deeper areas at 300-400 fathoms deep.
However, installed fish shelters improved fish catch by 33% from
reduced time of fishing operation and it has been observed that
practice of sharing the fish catch with neighbours has been revived
due to much easier fishing operation. Meanwhile, blast and poison
fishing in covered barangays, especially in Otod, were controlled
partly due to the existence of the project.
PhilNet also assisted barangay Sugod in Cajidiocan in establishing
artificial reefs with potential beneficiaries of 256 part-time and fulltime fishers. 160/250 concrete blocks were installed at sea with
bamboo branches around the stocked blocks and with 6 bouys
delineating the 100 meter x 100 meter area.
With Php 79,600.00 investment with 18% local counterpart, more
and more residents (even teachers, municipal employees and others
who were not really fishing before) are now fishing for viand at 5-6
in the morning near the artificial reef. Resource regeneration was
observed as sea weeds are already growing and new species of
fishes were observed such as small groupers, isdang bato,
tangigue, bayangan and sea turtle.
A well-organized fishers and Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic
Resource Management Council (BFARMC) are actively participating in
establishing, managing and monitoring the project.

Sustainable Livelihoods

Garments/Sewing

A group of eight household beneficiaries composed of women were

given financial assistance for garments-making project. The group
has bought materials such as cloths, threads, and other sewing
needs in bulk.
It also purchased an edging machine and a
zigzagging machine. This has increased their output volume with
lower cost for customers. The members are already earning more
with increased volume. Diversified sources of income strengthens
household resilience
Currently, there are eight women involved three are almost fulltime already while five could now accept orders anytime because
they have access to cheaper supply of cloth and other sewing needs
even without cash.
The project has become regular and stable source of income with a
value of investment of Php 66,980.00 loan.