Assessment of stakeholders participation in the management of Sumilon Island Marine Sanctuary, Cebu, Philippines

Sumilon Island is an important traditional fishing ground located south of Cebu. Efforts to manage it started in 1974 to become the first Municipal declared marine protected area (MPA) in the country through the establishment of the Sumilon Isalnd Marine Reserve (SIMR). However, by late 1970's, violations were rampant, and by early 1980's, management started to collapse. Fortunately, in the year 2000, the Municipality of Oslob expressed its intention to fully revive the management of SIMR obtaining multi- stakeholder support in management is considered as one of the 'best practices' in MPA implementation. The overall objective of this study therefore was to assess stakeholders participation in SIMR management and identify opportunities to improve resource conservation through effective participatory management. The specific objectives of this study were: 1) to present an overview of the ecological status of SIMR; 2) to analyze the roles, influences, benefits, and impacts of the key stakeholders of SIMR; 3) to identify management accomplishments and priorities for action of the implementing body - the Municipal government; and 4) to draw recommendations to encourage participatory management process in MPA implementation. For the ecological status, secondary coral using point- intercept method and fish data using fish visual census method were collated and presented. These reef data provided the background for the importance of SIMR. For the social aspect, a stakeholders analysis was conducted which focused on two types of stakeholders: the strategic stakeholders who can affect or influence the achievement of a certain objective, and; the moral stakeholders who are affected by the change required to achieve project goals. The Municipal Government is the main SIMR governing body. Selected strategic (DENR, Barangay government and the Bluewater Resort) and moral (fishers and residents or non-fishers) stakeholders were given focus for this study. A closer look on the moral stakeholders was accomplished through a perception surveys. The governance of SIMR was rated level three using the MPA Management Rating System which indicates the attainment of the enforced phase. Although enforcement system is said to be operational, it appears that existing enforcement activities are not enough. Thus, a long term program on local capacity development and information dissemination is needed to support law enforcement. Participatory management facilitates good governance and limits conflicts through strong leadership that invites meaningful citizen participation and incorporates the community's collective opinion in decision-making. Participatory management for SIMR still has areas for improvement. The following initial steps are proposed: Creation of a multi-sectoral SIMR Management Body through the leadership of the Municipal Government; Formation of Committees within the Management Body and delegation of tasks, and ; Development of a long-term Social Management Program as part of the Overall Coastal Resource Management Program of The Municipality Government.