I.

Introduction

Philippines is situated in the Pacific Rim, which makes it prone to natural

hazard occurrences affecting 70% of the country’s 1,500 municipalities
that shares the Philippine coast (Perez, 2002). The country’s coasts are
clustered with communities living along the shores and families whose
livelihood depends largely on coastal resources (Reyes and Blanco,
2012). Philippines is considered as one of the most vulnerable countries
to climate risk due to its geographical location and level of economic
development (Defiesta and Rapera, 2014). Moreover, it is one of the
countries that have wide-scale environmental issues such as
overfishing, destructive fishing, sedimentation, pollution, and coastal
development (Burke et al 2012).

The Philippines coastal area is consist of significant ecosystems such as

mangrove forest, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Mangrove root
systems stabilize sediment, act as wave breaker and provide habitat
shelter for variety of organisms (Perez, 2002). Coral reef ecosystem
provides natural protection from waves, storms, and promotes fish
recruitment. Seagrass beds are considered as the catchment basin
and filter-grounds for the unfiltered run-offs.

The Philippines mangrove forest is progressively decreasing due to over

cutting, land clearing and habitat conversions. A total of 450,000
hectares were recorded at the start of 20th century but declines to
100,000 hectares at the present time.

The Philippine coral reefs are the source of the annual economic
benefits of about US$1.1 billion per year (Capili et al 2005). The
country’s coral reef cover is about 27,000 square kilometers within 15 to
30 kilometers deep that contributes to 10%-15% total annual fish yield,
equivalent to between 5 to 24 metric ton per sq. kilometer fish
production. The unceasing destruction of coral reef like coral

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bleaching and destructive fishing will lead to serious socio-economic
consequences (Perez, 2002).

The increasing population in the coastal area also increases the

degree of dependence on fisheries which resulted to declining fish
supply (MERF, 2013; Cabral et al, 2012).

There are three types of coastal ecosystem present in the Municipality

of Dinagat namely: Mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs
that support diverse aquatic organisms. The Municipality of Dinagat has
total of 174 hectares of mangrove area (DICP: Mangrove Profiling,
2016, see Figure 3). There are eight Mangrove species found in the
municipality belonging to five (5) families namely: Rhizophoraceae,
Sonneratiaceae, Palmae, Meliaceae and Avicenniaceae. The
dominant mangrove species are Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora
mucronata and Nipa fruticans. The status of Mangrove forest in the
Municipality of Dinagat is slightly disturbed but still in good condition
(Dinagat PCRA, 2013).

The Municipality of Dinagat has a total of 178.42 hectares of segrass

beds (NAMRIA, 2016, see Figure 2). Seagrass in Dinagat can be seen in
patches and some are contiguous and they are mostly found adjacent
to mangrove areas and few are distributed along the shallower
portions of the coastal waters. Generally, the substrate within the
seagrass beds ranges from muddy to sandy type. There are eight (8)
seagrass species that can be found in the Municipality of Dinagat but
the most dominant species are Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii,
Cymodocea rotundata and Halophilia ovalis. The average percent
cover of seagrass beds in Dinagat is in fair condition (Dinagat PCRA,
2013).

There are eighteen (18) coral species found in the municipality with
total of 598.236 hectares coral cover (NAMRIA, 2016, see Figure 2). As
per assessment during the PCRA in 2013, the status of live hard coral

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cover of the municipality is in poor condition. Coral damages were due
to the illegal fishing activities and climate change (thru bleaching).

The Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program

(SCREMP), is a national program implemented by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources 2012-2020 in pursuant to Republic
Act No. 7586 (NIPAS Law) and in supports to Executive Order No. 797,
series of 2009 and Executive Order No. 533 series of 2006. The said
program aims to: implement sustainable management of coastal and
marine resources through resource and habitat conservation,
protection and rehabilitation; contribute to food security and improve
human well-being of the coastal communities; promote public
awareness, and instill social and environmental consciousness on the
value of coral reefs and associated coastal and marine ecosystems,
especially on mitigating the effects of climate change; enhance the
formation of positive values among the youth and other partners
through shared responsibilities in sustainable management of coastal
and marine resources and habitats; and develop sustainable financing
mechanisms through the establishment of system of payment for
ecosystem services. SCREMP has five (5) major components which
include: Habitat Vulnerability Assessment, Coral Reef Rehabilitation and
Protection, Social Mobilization and Development, Marine Protected
Area (MPAs) Establishment, Strengthening and Networking and
Sustainable Livelihood Interventions.

For CY 2016 PENRO-Dinagat has

targeted the conduct of HVA at the
Municipality of Dinagat covering
eleven (11) coastal barangays.

Vulnerability Assessment (VA) Fig.5. Vulnerability as a function of

Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive
provides a better understanding of Capacity (Glick et al, 2011)

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 the interactions among system, pressures and threats which serves as a
basis for targeted adaptation strategies (Mamauag, et al 2013).

Vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable

to cope up with the effect of climate change including the degree of
the exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to climate change
hazard (MERF 2013, VA guidebook). The assessment entails analysis of
the physical environmental condition and changes made by natural
impact (e.g. sea level rise, wave and surges, typhoons) to the coastal
and habitat ecosystems and the effect to the community as well. VA
has three components, exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity.
The integration of the three (3) components yields a measurement of
the assessed area to low, medium and high vulnerability, both coastal
and fishery ecosystem (Figure 5).

II. Objectives

 To determine the measure of vulnerability of coastal area of Dinagat

Municipality to climate change hazard.
 To determine the measure of vulnerability of the coastal fisheries of
Dinagat Municipality
 To identify adaptation strategies.

III. Scope and Limitations

The conducted Vulnerability Assessment’s unit of assessment is on a

barangay level. A total of eleven (11) coastal barangays covering a
total land area of 29.06 sq. kilometers (2, 906 hectares) of the

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 Municipality of Dinagat, Province of Dinagat Islands were subjected for
this assessment.

The available data used are from the Participatory Coastal Resource
Assessment (PCRA)-2013, Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP)-2016,
Municipal Profile and Barangay Profile.

IV. Methodology

Fig.6. Process Flow of Vulnerability Assessment

Pre-Vulnerability Assessment (VA)

Necessary preparations were made before the actual conduct of the
VA, which include:

 Conduct of orientation about SCREMP to concerned stakeholder. The

activity was held on August 11-13, 2015 at Josefina’s Sea View
Cottages, Brgy. Escolta, Dinagat, Province of Dinagat Islands and
attended by 30 participants coming from LGU-MAO, BFAR, BLGU, and
DENR-PENRO.
 Gathering of secondary data such as Participatory Coastal Resource
Assessment (PCRA) Report 2013, Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP,
2016), and Barangay Profiles
 Conduct of Automated Rapid Reef Assessment (ARRAS) & Beach
Profiling seminar/workshop on August 12-13, 2015 at Josefina’s Sea
View Cottages, Brgy. Escolta, Dinagat, PDI.
 Conduct of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on February 8-19, 2016
 Distribution of survey questionnaires for TURF
 Attendance to Vulnerability Assessment Tools for Coastal Ecosystem
(VATCE) Seminar on July 20-24, 2015 at Amontay, Nasipit. The activity

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 aimed to provide field staff with knowledge and skills on how to
conduct the VA.

Vulnerability Assessment (VA)

 The actual assessment was made through a seminar-workshop on

VATCE conducted on September 17-18, 2015 at Brgy. Tag-abaca,
Basilisa, PDI. The activity was participated by fishermen, barangay
officials and Municipal LGU’s representatives. The objective of the
activity is to introduce the Coastal VA Tools to local stakeholders and
involve them in the actual process of conducting the VA. The
participants were taught on how to score the criteria of processing the
measurement of the coastal ecosystems subject to different climatic
factors including sea level rise, sea surface temperature, rainfall and
wave and storm surge.
The two VA Tools used are Coastal Integrity Vulnerability Assessment
Tool (CIVAT) and Tools for Understanding Resilience of Fisheries (TURF).

CIVAT

Coastal Integrity Assessment Tool (CIVAT) measures the vulnerability of

the physical coast by analyzing natural and anthropogenic factors
driving beach processes (MERF, 2013). It is one of the primary tools
which had been developed for coastal based ecosystems in various
factors of sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity.

This is designed to promote the ecosystem based management of the

coast which is defined here as the zone delineated by sea cliffs, marine
terraces or sand dunes on its landward limit that extends to shoreface,
or a depth at which there is a little transport of sediments by wave
action. On this definition, this zone encompasses the three types of
habitat such as mangroves, seagrasses and coral reef which have

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great significant sources of beach sediments and effective wave
attenuators.

The Vulnerability of the coastline will be determined by scoring the

given criteria basing on actual site observation, workshop, focus group
discussion and from key informants during site validation. Scoring will
be rated as: 1-2 = low; 3-4=medium; and 5=high.

Scoring and Calculating Vulnerability Values

A scoring matrices for CIVAT were used to evaluate variables relating

to Sensitivity and Adaptive Capacity. As to the Exposure variable a
proxy was used, i.e orientation of wave exposure to the particular
during seasonal changes or when there is typhoon. It is an option
suggested by the developer since the data for the other variables are
not available.

Each variable is assigned a relative score between 1 and 5,

corresponding to low (1-2), medium (3-4) and high (5), based on the
magnitude of their contribution to physical changes on the coast in
relation to wave and sea level rise. Aggregate scores obtained
respectively for the exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity
components were then re-scaled into low-medium-high (L-M-H). The
range of scores for rescaling depends on the difference between the
highest and the lowest scores possible. For example, if the number of
criteria is 5, then the highest score that can be obtained is 25 (or 5 x 5)
whereas the lowest score possible is 5 (i.e., 1 x 5) for each component.
The difference between the highest and lowest scores is then divided
into three equal parts for the L-M-H assignment. With rescaling to L-M-H
for each component, the concern about the unequal number of
criteria for each component is somewhat addressed.

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TURF

Tools for Understanding the Resilience of Fisheries (TURF) is a tool for

assessing the climate change vulnerability of coastal fisheries (MERF,
2013). It utilizes information that is readily available and easy to
generate hence it is considered effective and practical. It is the first
step assessment in identifying priority areas with site specific adaptation
measures.

The framework for TURF is consistent with the definition proposed by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2001) where it
states that Vulnerability is a function of Exposure, Sensitivity, and
Adaptive Capacity. The tool is divided into three subcomponents
namely: fisheries aspect, reef ecosystem features, and socio-
economic attributes. Each of these subcomponents incorporates
variables relevant in evaluating Sensitivity and Adaptive Capacity.

Scoring and Calculating Vulnerability Values

Scoring matrices for CIVAT were used to evaluate variables relating to
Sensitivity and Adaptive Capacity. As to the Exposure variable a proxy
was used, i.e orientation of wave exposure to the particular during
seasonal changes or when there is typhoon. It is an option suggested
by the developer since the data for the other variables are not
available.

Each variable is assigned a relative score between 1 and 5,

corresponding to low (1-2), medium (3-4) and high (5).

Re-scaling scores to correspond to Low, Medium, or High: The scores

obtained for Sensitivity and Adaptive Capacity are translated into a
rank system where point class intervals correspond to Low, Medium, or
High. The point class interval for each rank will vary depending on the

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total number of criteria considered in each Sensitivity or Adaptive
Capacity matrix (Figure 7).

Fig. 7. Point class intervals and corresponding rank classification (photo credit to MERF,
2013

Cross-tabulation between Sensitivity and Exposure for Potential Impact:

In keeping with the Vulnerability
framework, the Sensitivity rank is
integrated with that of Exposure to
arrive at a measurement for
Potential Impact. This is done
through a cross-tabulation
approach, which is also used in the
Fig.8. Cross tabulation for Potential
Coastal Integrity VA Tool (Figure 8). Impact.(photo credit to MERF,2013)
A measurement for Potential Impact
is obtained for all three components.

Cross-tabulation between Potential Impact and Adaptive Capacity for

Vulnerability: Finally, cross-tabulate the
resulting Potential Impact with the
Adaptive Capacity rank to obtain the
Vulnerability for each tool component
Users should be able to generate three
Vulnerability measurements: one for Fig.9. Cross tabulation for
Vulnerability.(photo credit to MERF,2013)

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the fisheries aspect, another for the reef ecosystem (habitat) features,
and still another for the socioeconomic attributes (Figure 9).

When a Vulnerability measurement has been obtained for each of the

tool components, these are integrated for the overall fisheries
Vulnerability.

Individual Vulnerability ranks were then collated in such a way that the
first letter corresponds to the vulnerability rank obtained for the fisheries
component, the second letter to the reef ecosystem component, and
the third to the socio-economic component. Users should be able to
generate a three-letter combination representing each of the
components and their derived Vulnerability rank. There are 27 possible
combinations.

Match the resulting three-letter

combination with its
corresponding Vulnerability rank
using the guide table (Figure 10).
The color of the cell will give you
the resulting Vulnerability:
Green = Low; Yellow = Moderate;
Fig.10. Guide for determining Vulnerability
Red = High. Analysis and integration of TURF components (photo
credit to MERF, 2013)
interpretation follows.

Post-Vulnerability Assessment (VA)

Adaptation strategies/actions are identified using the information from
the VA. This was done through a workshop exercise during the last day
of the VATCE Seminar/Workshop held on September 17-18, 2015 at
Brgy. Tag-abaca, Basilisa, PDI. Participants proposed activities/action
most relevant to variables with high vulnerabilities. The actions were

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then evaluated according to whether they address urgent needs and
if there is capacity for
effective implementation.
The relative Urgency or
need for each action is
gauged by assigning
scores from 1 to 3 is also
designated, where “3”
similarly expresses the
Fig. 11. Urgency X Capacity inter-relational
highest level of capacity. diagram (or matrix)

The actions were then visualized on an inter-relational diagram or

matrix where their score for Urgency (X-axis) are plotted against their
score for level of operational capacity (Y-axis) (Figure 11). The plot
reveals priority actions, i.e actions with highest urgency and can be
implemented at highest capacity are considered Priority 1 (upper right
quadrat); actions addressing an urgent need, but whose
implementation is challenged by low capacity are Priority 2 (lower right
quadrat); actions that may be implemented with high capacity and
target relatively less urgent need are Priority 3 (upper left quadrant);
and actions whose results are impeded by low implementation
capacity, but address relatively less urgent need are Priority 4 (lower
left quadrant) (Figure 11).

Habitat Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) results was presented to the

Municipality of Dinagat on July 11, 2016. A total of 34 participants
attended the HVA presentation, nineteen (19) from BLGU’s, one (1)
from the Office of Congressional Representative Hon. Arlene “Kaka”
Bag-ao, six (6) from MLGU’s headed by Mayor Craig Ecleo, three (3)
from the Municipal Planning and Development Council (MPDC), one

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(1) from DILG, one (1) from DENR- Regional Office, and three (3) from
PENRO-PDI.
Resolution No. 015, Series of 2016, “Resolution Adopting the Habitat
Vulnerability Assessment Report of the Municipality of Dinagat,
Province of Dinagat Islands” was approved on August 8, 2016.

V. Results and Interpretation

V.1. Vulnerability Assessment of the Coast of Dinagat, Province of
Dinagat Islands Using CIVAT

Exposure

Exposure measures the intensity of the physical environment condition

that will affect the existing state of the biophysical systems (Mamauag
et al, 2013). The manifestations of climate change are the exposure of
the low-lying coastal area to wave impacts and rising sea level (MERF,
2013). Waves are mainly generated by wind which is capable of
transporting energy over a large distance. The energy that wave
carries can change coastal forms and can destroy man-made
structures.

Since, Wave Exposure Model is not available for “wave exposure

during monsoon” and “wave exposure during typhoon, a proxy was
used to measure the exposure of coastal areas in the Municipality of
Dinagat, which is the “orientation of the coast to predominant
winds/storms”.

There are two weather patterns in the Philippines, namely; Southwest

monsoon or “Habagat” and Northeast monsoon or “Amihan”.
Monsoons directly and indirectly influence the weather condition of the
coastal area of the three major land masses of the Philippine

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archipelago namely:
Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao. Dinagat
Islands is one of the new
provinces created in
Mindanao. Dinagat is one
Fig.12. Wind climatology or pattern for the
of the seven municipalities Philippines based on the 10-yr QUIKSCAT dataset.
MERF, 2013.VA Guidebook Colors denote speed (in
of the Province of Dinagat m/s) while arrow length and angle denote
magnitude and direction of wind vectors
Islands. It is situated at the
Southeastern part of Dinagat Islands wherein the coastal barangays of
the area are exposed to predominant winds during Southwest
monsoon (Habagat) and Northeast monsoon (Amihan).

The geographical location of the Municipality of Dinagat will

encounter monsoon winds brought by Southwest and Northeast winds.
There are two coastal barangays that are highly exposed to Habagat
and Amihan namely: Barangays Cab-ilan and Cabayawan. A
significant distance of the neighboring land masses before the location
of Brgy. Cab-ilan (Sibali Islands - (~4 km)) will still allow the wind to
produce waves that would greatly affect the area (see Figure 14 & 15).

Though Brgy. Cabayawan is in between two neighboring land masses

(Brgy. Cab-ilan- and Brgy. Gomez) but the distance of the area from its
neighboring islands would still permit the accumulation of wave energy
creating larger waves in both seasons (monsoon). Herein, the distance
between Barangays Cab-ilan and Cabayawan is 1.64 kilometers (~2
km) and the distance between Barangays Cabayawan and Gomez is
approximately 2.15 kilometers (see Figure 14 & 15).

The whole area of Brgy. White Beach is greatly affected by wave

impacts bring forth by Southwest monsoon or Habagat. Furthermore,
the area is facing the open sea has no mangroves and poor coral
cover (PCRA, 2013) thus increasing its vulnerability to wave impacts.

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 Barangays Cayetano and Magsaysay are not directly exposed to
wave and wind impacts due to its
cove-like structure of the coastline
wherein a portion of Barangays
Wadas and Gomez land area
disrupts the wind and wave current
before reaching the area (see
Figure 13). Fig.13. Municipality of Dinagat
Coastal Barangays

Other coastal barangays (villages) have average exposure to wave or

predominant winds/storms. Barangay New Mabuhay is directly
affected by Habagat but not greatly affected by Amihan because of
its adjacent barangay (Brgy. Wadas) where there is only a short
distance between the two areas that would not prominently permit the
formation of big waves. The geographical orientation of Barangays
Escolta and Mauswagon are both facing Brgy. Wadas wherein it acts
as buffer that lessens the wave and wind impact during Amihan.
Furthermore, Brgy. White Beach is situated on the west side of the two
mentioned barangays making them less expose to wind/wave during
Habagat.

Barangays Wadas, Bagumbayan and Gomez are only exposed to

wave impacts brought by Southwest monsoon but would not greatly
affected by the Northeast monsoon due to the presence of adjacent
land area of the Municipality of Cagdianao and Municipality of San
Jose, respectively.

Table 1. CIVAT Exposure Criteria scoring

EXPOSURE Cayetano Magsaysay New Mabuhay White Beach Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez
1. TIDAL RANGE (m)
PROXY FOR WAVE
EXPOSURE:
ORIENTATION OF 1 1 4 5 3 4 3 4 5 5 4
THE COAST TO THE
PREDOMINANT
WINDS/STORMS
LOW
Low LOW MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM
MediumMEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH
High HIGH MEDIUM

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Fig.14. Wind Pattern: Northeast Monsoon

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Fig.15. Wind Pattern: Southwest Monsoon
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Fig.16. Municipality of Dinagat: Exposure Map
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SENSITIVITY

Sensitivity to climate change provides an indication of the degree to

which a habitat is likely to be affected or responsive to climate change
and is linked to its current environmental and ecological conditions
(Staudinger et al, 2015). In assessing the sensitivity of the coastal area,
the bio-physical attributes of the coast that predisposes it to erosion
and inundation as a result of stronger waves and higher sea level is
being measured (MERF,2013). It is grouped into intrinsic and extrinsic
variables. Intrinsic variables measure the condition of the natural earth
features, the coastline trends and slopes, and it also includes the status
of the natural habitats. Extrinsic variables are human induced changes
in the coastal ecosystem; these include extraction of beach
composition and structural development on the foreshores that impair
the natural recovery of the foreshore from erosion and disrupt coastal
process such as longshore transport.

Table 2 shows that among the eleven (11) coastal barangays, Brgy.
Mauswagon is the most sensitive to climate change impacts. The
factors that greatly influence the sensitivity of the area (Bgry.
Mauswagon) are the; slope from the shoreline to 20m elevation
(landward slope); width of reef flat or shore platform; and beach forest
and vegetation.

Slope from the shoreline to 20m

elevation (landward slope).
Scoring on this variable is based on
the NAMRIA map. Brgy.
Mauswagon is given a high score
of 5 since the coastal plains have
gentle gradients (slope <1:200) Fig.17. Brgy. Mauswagon area

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which is more prone to inundation (see Figure 17).

Width of reef flat or shore platform. Coral reefs are natural barriers
where the waves break before reaching the coastline and are
effective wave attenuators. The area (Brgy. Mauswagon) is given a
score of 5 (highly sensitive) due to the poor coral cover (PCRA (2013)
and ARRAS (2015)) (see Figure 2 & 3).

Beach forest and vegetation. The presence of beach vegetation in the

sandy coasts is very important as effective sand stabilizers due to their
root systems. The coastal area of Brgy. Mauswagon has poor and
patchy vegetation hence it is given a high score of 5 (highly sensitive)
(see Figure 18).

The other coastal barangays have average (medium) sensitivity to

climate change impacts.

Fig.18. Brgy. Mauswagon Coastal Zone (left) and Beach area

(absence of beach vegetation) (right)

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Table 2. CIVAT Sensitivity Criteria scoring
SENSITIVITY CRITERIA Cayetano Magsaysay New Mabuhay White Beach Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez

1. COASTAL LANDFORM
AND ROCK TYPE 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 4 5 4 4

2. SEASONAL BEACH
RECOVERY 2 4 4 3 3 4 4 1 3 3 3

3. SLOPE FROM THE

SHORELINE TO 20-m 2 2 1 1 1 5 2 1 1 1 1
ELEVATION

4. WIDTH OF REEF
FLAT OR SHORE 5 5 2 4 3 5 4 4 2 4 4
PLATFORM (m)

5. BEACH FOREST OR
VEGETATION 3 3 4 3 4 5 3 4 2 1 4
6. LATERAL
CONTINUITY OF REEF
FLAT OR SHORE 4 3 2 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 3
FLATFORM

7. COASTAL HABITATS 1 1 2 3 1 4 1 1 2 2 2
8. COASTAL AND
OFFSHORE MINING 1 2 5 4 1 3 4 5 4 4 3

9.STRUCTURE ON THE
FORESHORE 1 4 4 3 4 3 3 1 3 3 3

TOTAL 22 27 28 29 24 36 27 24 25 26 27

Low Medium High

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ADAPTIVE CAPACITY

Adaptive capacity is the ability of the ecosystem to cope and persist

under changing conditions. These measures characterize the ability of
the system to cope with impacts associated with changes in climate
(Quibilan, 2014). There are certain variables used to measure the
adaptive capacity of coastal barangays, these include; the coastal
integrity wherein the ability of the coast to sustain sufficient sediment
supply to offset land loss or erosion that can keep up with the sea level
rise; system’s ability to transport sediment to coastal area that is
influenced by man-made structures; degree of sediment interfered
during sediment drift; coastal developments, coastal guidelines and
guideline implementations (MERF, 2013).

Barangays Cabayawan, Wadas, Mauswagon, White Beach, and

Magsaysay have the lowest
adaptive capacity compared to
other barangays. One of the
factors that lower the adaptive
capacity of all barangays is the
lack of guidelines on
setback/easement and on
coastal structures. There is no
Fig.19. Seagrass species in the
firm implementation of the laws Municipality of Dinagat PCRA, 2013

or ordinances that prohibits the construction of coastal built-ups that

interrupt the supply of sediments to the littoral cell and prevent further
erosion.

Coral reef as sediment source greatly helps the recovery of the coast
from damages brought by strong storms or waves. The basis for the
viability of the coral reef as sediment supply is the living coral cover.

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Table 3 shows, the low adaptive capacity scores for the five
barangays. Based on Dinagat PCRA (2013), Brgy. Cabayawan has only
5.00% of living coral cover, Brgy. Mauswagon has 9.73%, Brgy. White
Beach has 10.23%, Brgy. New Mabuhay has 18.59%, and Brgy.
Bagumbayan has 11.18% (Figure 20).

Seagrass beds are a vital habitat that traps sediments, serves as nursing
site and wave buffers. There is a vital
need for the seagrass to recover
after a storm blow-outs to continue
their significant role in the coastal
ecosystem. Barangays Gomez,
Cayetano and Magsaysay have
dominant seagrasses namely:
Fig.20. Thalassia hemprichii (left)
Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus and Enhalus acoroides (right)
(source: Northern Fisheries
acoroides. They are more robust but
Centre, 2014)
slow colonizing species compared to
other species that are small but have faster rate of recolonizing an
area.

In terms of viability of the mangrove as sediment trap (capacity to trap

sediment), Barangays Gomez, Cayetano, Magsaysay and
Bagumbayan have average (medium) adaptive capacity while the
other coastal barangays have low adaptive capacity. The mentioned
coastal barangays have abundant species of Avicennia and
Sonneratia. These two mangrove species are pneumatophore-type
species that effectively traps sediments (see Figure 21).

Other mangrove species that have widely spaced root system such as
Rhizophora which has a prop root system and Xylocarpus that has
buttress-root system cannot effectively traps sediments.

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 Fig.21. Family Avicenniaceae (left) and Family Sonneratiaceae
(right) (source: Field Guide to Philippines Mangroves, 2004)

Table 3. CIVAT Adaptive Capacity Criteria scoring

ADAPTIVE CRITERIA Cayetano Magsaysay New Mabuhay White Beach Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez
1. LONG TERM SHORELINE
TRENDS 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 5 1 2
2. CONTINUITY OF
SEDIMENTS SUPPLY 5 3 4 3 3 3 3 5 4 3 3
3. GUIDELINES REGARDING
THE EASEMENT 3 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2
4. GUIDELINES ON COASTAL
STRUCTURES 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2
5.TYPE OF COASTAL
DEVELOPMENT 5 3 3 4 4 3 3 5 4 3 4
6. VIABILITY OF CORAL REEF
AS SEDIMENT 4 4 2 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 3

7. VIABILITY OF SEAGRASS
AS SEDIMENT SOURCE
CAPACITY TO RECOVER 2 2 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 2
FROM STORM BLOW-OUTS

8. VIABILITY OF MANGROVE
AS SEDIMENT TRAP
*CAPACITY TO TRAP 3 3 2 1 2 1 2 3 2 2 3
SEDIMENTS
9. VIABILITY OF MANGROVE
AS WAVE BUFFER 1 2 3.5 1 1 1 1 1 3 2.5 3
9.1 MANGROVE CANOPY
COVER 1 3 4 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 4
9.2 MANGROVE BASAL AREA 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 3 2
TOTAL 26 20 21.5 18 25 18 19 23 28 18.5 24
Low Medium High

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Potential Impact
It is the direct and indirect consequences of climate change on
systems. Impact is a function of a system’s exposure to climate change
and its sensitivity to any changes (Staudinger et al, 2015).

As shown in Table 4, the coastal

barangays that have high
potential impacts are
Barangays White Beach,
Mauswagon, Cab-ilan and
Cabayawan. On the other
hand, Barangays Cayetano and Fig.22. Cross-table for Potential Impact

Magsaysay have low potential impacts. The factor that greatly

contributes to the potential impact of the coastal barangays is the
exposure of the area wherein in this assessment the orientation to
predominant winds/storms is used as proxy.

Though Brgy. Mauswagon is not greatly exposed to predominant winds

and storms but it has the highest sensitivity among other barangays.

Table 4. Calculated Potential Impact per Barangay

Potential Adaptive
Barangay Exposure Sensitivity Vulnerability
Impact Capacity
Cayetano L M L M L
Magsaysay L M L L M
New Mabuhay M M M M M
White Beach H M H L H
Escolta M M M M M
Mauswagon M H H L H
Wadas M M M L H
Bagumbayan M M M M M
Cab-ilan H M H M H
Cabayawan H M H L H
Gomez M M M M M

Page | 31
The overall vulnerability of the coastal barangays in the Municipality of
Dinagat is shown in Table 4. Brgy.
Cayetano has lower vulnerability
due to its geographical location
wherein it is protected by the land
area of Barangays Gomez, Luna
and Wadas. Furthermore, it has an
average (medium) adaptive Fig.23. Brgy. Cayetano coastal area

capacity due to the continuous sediment supply since they have lesser
coastal infrastructure development.

The coastal barangays that are highly vulnerable are Barangays White
Beach, Mauswagon, Wadas, Cab-ilan and Cabayawan. Barangays
Cab-ilan and Cabayawan have high vulnerability due to their
exposure to predominant winds/storms.

The major issues in the coastal barangays are the lack of guidelines on
setback/easement and guidelines on the coastal structures which
made the mentioned five barangays to have a lower adaptive
capacity. Furthermore, other factors that lowers their adaptive

Fig. 24. Coastal Built-ups in Brgy. White Beach, Brgy. Wadas and Brgy. Cab-ilan

capacity is the long-term shoreline trends wherein it indicates the ability

of the coast to recover from any activities that changes the sediment
supply in which the net effect from accretion and erosion is being
observed. The above cited barangays have coastlines that experience

Page | 32
more than a meter of erosion per year, thus given a low adaptive
capacity score (based on TURF-FGD, February 8-19, 2016).

In terms of Mangrove viability as sediment trap most of the coastal

barangays are given the lower
adaptive capacity since the
common mangrove species
that are predominant in the
Municipality of Dinagat is
Rhizophora which has widely-
spaced root system.
Fig.25. Rhizoporaceae Mangroves near
Brgys. Cayetano and Magsaysay boundary
Other coastal barangays have
medium vulnerability due to its medium potential impact and medium
adaptive capacity.

Table 5. Overall Vulnerability

Potential Adaptive
Barangay Exposure Sensitivity Vulnerability
Impact Capacity
Cayetano L M L M L
Magsaysay L M L L M
New Mabuhay M M M M M
White Beach H M H L H
Escolta M M M M M
Mauswagon M H H L H
Wadas M M M L H
Bagumbayan M M M M M
Cab-ilan H M H M H
Cabayawan H M H L H
Gomez M M M M M

Page | 33
Fig. 26. CIVAT: Vulnerability Map Page | 34
VA-TURF

Fisheries- Sensitivity

As seen in Table 6, Brgy. Cabayawan has the least sensitivity in terms of

fisheries for the reason that most fishers
in the area use “longgot and palaran”
(Figure 27) which is mobile-fishing
gears. This type of gear is used in a
fishing area apparently distant from
the shore in which the dominant catch
Fig.27. (PCRA, 2013) Fish catch and gear
is mostly migratory fishes. Migratory Trend Diagram of Brgy.Cabayawan

fishes are highly mobile, hence are less likely affected by wave impacts.

Brgys. Mauswagon, White Beach, Escolta and Cayetano are highly

sensitive in terms of Fisheries criteria. These mentioned coastal barangays
(fishing village) normally have lower catch rate, have mixed catch
composition of pelagic and demersal fishes and usually use habitat-
dependent or stationary fishing gears.

Storm-generated waves physically damage nearshore habitats, affecting

highly habitat-dependent gears which are used to capture target fishes.
The establishment of stationary gears can alter the habitat condition of
the sea beds and can cause damages on sessile life-forms (e.g. corals,
seagrass) and demersal fishes that are highly habitat-dependent.

Fishers in the area usually have lower catch rate with mixed catch
composition but mostly comprised of demersal fishes. Demersal fishes are
highly habitat dependent. Through time, the habitat decimation and
habitat loss will result to recruitment failure (specially the demersal fishes)
thus decreasing catch rate.

Page | 35
 Table 6. TURF-SENSITIVITY: Fisheries Component
VARIABLE Cayetano Magsaysay New White Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez
Mabuhay Beach
I. FISHERIES - Sensitivity

Dominant catch
composition 4 3 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 1 3

Catch Rate 5 5 3 5 5 5 3 5 3 3 3

Gear dependence on
habitats 3 1 1 3 3 5 2 1 2 1 1

TOTAL 12 9 9 13 12 14 9 10 8 5 7
HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW LOW

Source: TURF FGD- FEBRUARY 2016

Page | 36
Ecosystem-Sensitivity

Barangays White Beach, Escolta and Mauswagon are highly sensitive in

terms of Ecosystem
criteria. The wave-tolerant
species like the locally
known “Alibang-bang
and tapay-tapay” which
belongs to family
Chaetodontidae and
other site-attached Fig.28. Dinagat Municipality PCRA, 2013, Status/Condition of Live
Hard Coral Cover
species are lesser in Brgy.
Mauswagon. In addition, other factor that contributes to the ecosystem
sensitivity of both villages is the quality of reef habitat wherein there is less
than 25% of coral cover relative to the total area of the reef (Figure 20).
Reef habitat quality greatly affects the state of the ecosystem since this
represents the condition and extent of reef habitats as these are
recognized to influence the abundance, diversity and population size of
reef fishes that are highly dependent on them.

Brgy. Wadas has the lowest sensitivity in ecosystem criteria. Though, the
area has mostly mix reef fishes but the wave-tolerant (mobile) reef species
are abundant (e.g wrasses). The presence of wave tolerant species
manifests an intrinsic property for the fish community structure as a
response to climate-related factors such as wave. Those fishes that are
highly active and mobile are able to withstand wave turbulence.

The density of coral dependent species of Brgy. Wadas is less than 5%

(TURF-FGD, February 2016). This means that the coral dependent species

Page | 37
 are the first to face the consequences due to the climate induced
changes or anthropogenic activities that influence habitat loss (shelter).

Table 7. TURF-SENSITIVITY: Ecosystem Component

VARIABLE Cayetano Magsaysay New White Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez
Mabuhay Beach
II. ECOSYSTEM - Sensitivity

Abundance of
exposure (wave)
tolerant reef fish
species relative to 3 3 4 4 4 5 3 3 3 4 3
total abundance of the
community structure

Density of coral
dependent
3 2 3 4 3 2 1 2 3 1 2
Reef habitat quality 3 4 4 4 5 5 3 5 4 5 3
TOTAL 9 9 11 12 12 12 7 10 10 10 8
MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM

Source: TURF FGD- FEBRUARY 2016

Page | 38
Socio-Economic –Sensitivity

The Population density is a vital variable to know the level of sensitivity of

the socio-economic aspect Table 8. Municipality of Dinagat Population Density
because the number of
people living in a coastal
community determines the
sensitivity to any perturbation,
including climate change.
Furthermore, the state or
condition of the coastal fishery
is highly dependent on the degree of utilization of the resource users
where the greater the number of users, the higher the pressure. Same
principle applied on the Fisheries Ecosystem Dependency in which the
more fishers present in the community, the higher the dependency on
fishing.

Table 9 shows that, Barangays New Mabuhay, Escolta, Wadas,

Bagumbayan, Cab-ilan, Cabayawan
and Gomez are the most sensitive coastal
barangays in terms of Socio-economic
aspect.

Barangays New Mabuhay, Bagumbayan

and Cab-ilan are considered as crowded
barangays since their population density
is greater than 500 person (people) per
square kilometer (Table 8).
Fig.29. Brgy. Cabayawan (above), Brgy.
Cab-ilan (bottom) Geographic location

Page | 39
Barangays Wadas, Cab-ilan, Cabayawan and Gomez have more adults
who are full-time fishers.

As seen in Figure 29, Barangays Cabayawan and Cab-ilan is situated in

the midst of open sea wherein the populace is based along the foreshore.
The residents’ main source of living is fishing since the land areas for
agriculture in both villages are only suitable for salt-tolerant flora. Though
Brgy. Cabayawan has agricultural area but some portions are inhabitable
due to its rolling-steep area (high elevation) and the land area is
composed of sedimentary rocks.

Brgy. Gomez is one of the coastal villages that has the smallest
population (Dinagat PCRA, 2013;
Secondary Data Compilation, 2016:
Barangay Profile; Dinagat CLUP, 2016)
and is one of the barangay that has the
largest land area (Table 8). It also has
areas for agriculture; however, most of
Fig.30. Brgy. Gomez Geographic location
the inhabitants are engaged in fishing.
This is because the community resides near the seaside zone wherein most
of the adult populations are fishers (Figure 30).

Brgy. Mauswagon has the lowest socio-economic sensitivity due to its

lower population density (CLUP, 2016). The distribution of residents is not
crowded. Moreover, there are only 25% of the adult population that are
full time fishers (Dinagat FGD-TURF, 2016) and the rest of the population
have other source of income like farming, business and are employed.

Other coastal barangays such as Barangays Cayetano, Magsaysay and

White Beach have medium sensitivity.

Page | 40
 Table 9. TURF-SENSITIVITY: Socio-economic Component
VARIABLE Cayetano Magsaysay New White Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez
Mabuhay Beach
III. SOCIO-ECONOMIC - Sensitivity

Population Density 3 4 5 4 4 1 4 5 5 3 3

Fisheries ecosystem
dependency
3 3 3 3 4 2 5 4 5 5 5

TOTAL 6 7 8 7 8 3 9 9 10 8 8
MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
Source: TURF FGD- FEBRUARY 2016

Page | 41
Fisheries- Adaptive Capacity

Most of the coastal barangays have average level of adaptive capacity

in fisheries aspect. Barangays White
Beach and Mauswagon has the lowest
adaptive capacity compared to other
coastal villages. These resulted from
low adaptive capacity in habitat
condition and its extent, peak
Fig.31. Brgy. Escolta, Mauswagon and Brgy.
occurrence of juvenile fishes and the White Beach Geographic location

great changes of catch composition for the past two decades (1990-
2010).

The Habitat (for fishing) condition and extent comprises of different fishing
grounds which includes coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove areas.
Shown in Table 10, Barangays Escolta and Mauswagon have a small and
fragmented habitats for fishing since they do not have mangrove area
and have fair-to-poor coral condition (Figure 28), thus saying that
fragmented and degraded habitat outcomes resulted to low catch rate
due to low habitat heterogeneity and low recruitment.

There are two information taken from the respondents (fishermen) that
suggest a common observation (Dinagat FGD-TURF, 2016) in their
respective barangays; (a) Size and amount of Fish Catch in which all of
the coastal barangays suggest that majority of their fish catch is a
combination of small (juvenile) and large (mature) fishes. Since size
selectivity and intensity of fishing can reduce mean size and abundance
of fish, mature (adult) fishes are expected to spawn or reproduce thus
having a higher adaptive capacity than juvenile fishes, and (b) Changes
in catch composition where all the coastal barangays specified that there

Page | 42
are considerable changes in the last two decades (1990-2010) as stated
by the full-time fishers.

Table 10. TURF- ADAPTIVE CAPACITY: Fisheries Component

Cayetano Magsaysay New White Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez
VARIABLE
Mabuhay Beach
I. FISHERIES- Adaptive Capacity

Habitat (for fishing) condition and

1
extent 4 5 5 3 2 2 5 5 5 5 5

2 Size and amount of fish caught 3 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 3

Peak occurrence of juveniles or

3
presence of fry fisheries 2 4 3 1 3 2 2 3 5 2 3

4 Change in catch composition 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 2

Socio-economic I TOTAL 11 15 13 8 10 8 13 12 14 12 13
RATING (Low, Medium or High) MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM

Source: TURF FGD- FEBRUARY 2016

Page | 43
Ecosystem- Adaptive Capacity

As shown in Table 11, Barangays Cayetano, Magsaysay, New Mabuhay,

Wadas, Bagumbayan, Cab-ilan,
Cabayawan and Gomez have
high adaptive capacity in terms
of ecosystem criteria. One of the
factors that contribute to the
high adaptive capacity of each
barangay is the presence of
Fig.32. Brgy. Bagumbayan Mangrove Area
adjacent habitats like the coral
reef, seagrass beds and mangrove forest. The presence of adjacent
habitats greatly affects or influences one another. Habitats that are not
affected by climate stressor would serve as source of larvae or as a refuge
site that would provide the continuity of fish production.

Each habitat corresponds to an essential role in the ecosystem,

Mangroves not just prevent coastal/shore erosion but also serve as a
nesting or refuge site for the juvenile fish; seagrass not just trap sediments
but can also be a nursing ground and a source of food for small fishes due
to the algae and other invertebrates that live in area and coral reef not
just serve as a wave breaker but also serves as a shelter, nursing grounds
and source of food.

As for the other villages like Barangays Escolta and Mauswagon the
presence of small, fragmented reef habitats affects the adaptive
capacity of the respective ecosystem. And some of the coastal villages
namely: Barangays Mauswagon, Escolta, and White Beach do not have a
mangrove area that would also protect them from wave impacts.

Page | 44
Table 11. TURF- ADAPTIVE CAPACITY: Ecosystem Component
Cayetano Magsaysay New White Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez
VARIABLE
Mabuhay Beach
II. ECOSYSTEM- Adaptive Capacity

1 Extent of reef habitats 3 4 4 3 2 2 4 4 3 3 3

Presence of adjacent
2
habitats
5 5 5 4 4 3 5 5 5 5 5

Socio-economic I TOTAL 8 9 9 7 6 5 9 9 8 8 8
RATING (Low, Medium or High) HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH
Source: TURF FGD- FEBRUARY 2016

Page | 45
 Socio-Economic –Adaptive Capacity

Table 12 shows, that Brgy. New Mabuhay is the only coastal barangay
that has the highest adaptive capacity in
socio-economic aspect (Figure 33).
Compared to other villages wherein the
annual income of the fishers is higher than
the Ᵽ20,000.oo provincial poverty threshold
(HVA San Jose Municipality, 2015) of Surigao
Fig.33. Brgy. New Mabuhay Annual
and Cumulative Income
del Norte (former Mother Province of
Dinagat Islands). This result indicates that the higher the average income
of the fishers, the higher the capacity of the community to adapt to a
changing climate.

Most of the coastal barangays except for Brgy. Cab-ilan (only 43.3% of
fishers have other source of income- Dinagat, FGD-TURF, 2016) have the
proportion or percentage of fishers that have other sources of income
which is greater than 60%. Other source of income like farming, carpentry
and business may contribute in increasing the annual cumulative income
of fishers, which may possibly be higher than the poverty threshold.

Table 12. TURF- ADAPTIVE CAPACITY: Socio-economic Component

Cayetano Magsaysay New White Escolta Mauswagon Wadas Bagumbayan Cab-ilan Cabayawan Gomez
VARIABLE
Mabuhay Beach
III. SOCIO-ECONOMIC- Adaptive Capacity

Annual livelihood income

1 2 1 4 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 2
from fishing

Proportion or percentage of
2 fishers with other sources of 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 3 5 5
income

Annual cumulative income

from other sources relative
3 3 4 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 2
to the provincial poverty
threshold

Socio-economic I TOTAL 10 10 14 11 9 10 10 10 9 10 9
RATING (Low, Medium or High) MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM
Source: TURF FGD- FEBRUARY 2016

* No available data for the poverty threshold of Dinagat Islands Page | 46

TURF INTEGRATION

Fisheries Component

Table 13 shows the vulnerability measures of fisheries component in the

Municipality of Dinagat coastal barangays. Barangays White Beach,
Escolta, Mauswagon and Cab-ilan have high vulnerability due to their
geographical locations (Figure 14 & 15) which is more prone to
predominant winds and storms. Furthermore, these coastal barangays
are highly sensitive in terms of fisheries wherein most of the coastal
barangays’ fishermen have an average catch rate of less than three
kilograms (3 kg) per fisher per day (3kg/fisher/day).

Barangays Magsaysay and Gomez have lower vulnerability (fisheries

component) due to low potential impact and medium adaptive
capacity. Barangay Magsaysay has lower exposure to waves and
Barangay Gomez has a lower sensitivity since fisherfolks generally use
mobile-fishing gears which lessen the possible damage to seagrass
beds and coral reefs.

Barangays Cayetano, New Mabuhay, Wadas, Bagumbayan and

Cabayawan have medium vulnerability in fisheries component.

Page | 47
Table 13. Vulnerability measures of Fisheries Component

Potential Adaptive
Barangay Exposure Sensitivity Vulnerability
Impact Capacity
Cayetano L H M M M
Magsaysay L M L M L
New Mabuhay M M M M M
White Beach H H H L H
Escolta M H H M H
Mauswagon M H H L H
Wadas M M M M M
Bagumbayan M M M M M
Cab-ilan H M H M H
Cabayawan H L M M M
Gomez M L L M L

Page | 48
Ecosystem Component

As shown in Table 14, there are three (3) coastal barangays rated with
high vulnerability in terms of ecosystem component, namely:
Barangays White Beach, Escolta and Mauswagon. They are highly
vulnerable due to the absence of adjacent habitats (e.g. absence of
mangrove forest/area) which would make the area experience a high
potential impact towards climate change hazards. In addition, reef
habitats reflect coral species’ (fish) richness, Barangays Escolta and
Mauswagon have small-fragmented reef habitats which lessen food
production activities, smaller space of refuge, and smaller spawning
area for fishes (adults and juveniles). These factors contribute to the
coastal ecosystems of the said barangays to become vulnerable.

Barangays Cab-ilan and Cabayawan have medium vulnerability.

Though the two coastal barangays have high adaptive capacity, they
also have a high potential impact due to its geographical locations
making them more exposed to predominant winds and storms.

Other coastal barangays are less vulnerable because they are less
exposed to waves and have high adaptive capacity (due to the
presence of adjacent habitat).

Page | 49
Table 14. Vulnerability measures of Ecosystem Component

Potential Adaptive
Barangay Exposure Sensitivity Vulnerability
Impact Capacity
Cayetano L M L H L
Magsaysay L M L H L
New Mabuhay M M M H L
White Beach H H H M H
Escolta M H H M H
Mauswagon M H H M H
Wadas M L L H L
Bagumbayan M M M H L
Cab-ilan H M H H M
Cabayawan H M H H M
Gomez M M M H L

Page | 50
Socio-economic Component

Table 15 shows the socio-economic vulnerability measures. Barangays

White Beach, Escolta, Wadas, Bagumbayan, Cab-illan, Cabayawan
and Gomez are highly vulnerable. One of the factors that contribute
to the said coastal barangays’ vulnerability in socio-economic aspect
is the number of fishermen relative to the total population of the
barangay wherein the presence of more fishers in the area, the higher
the dependency on fishing.

Brgy. New Mabuhay has medium vulnerability. Though it has high

potential impact but its adaptive capacity is also high. The high
potential impact is due to high population density (Table 8) wherein
there is a high utilization of resources thus increasing the pressure in the
coastal fishery. Most of the fishers in the area have other sources of
income like farming. Furthermore, it is the only barangay that has the
highest cumulative income (Dinagat FGD-TURF, 2016).

Barangays Cayetano, Magsaysay and Mauswagon have the lowest

vulnerability in the socio-economic aspect. Barangays Cayetano and
Magsaysay have low vulnerability since they are less exposed to wave
impacts lowering the area’s potential impact while Brgy. Mauswagon
has low vulnerability due to the area’s low population density (Table 8)
and less than 25% of the populations are fishers.

Page | 51
Table 15. Vulnerability measures of Socio-economic Component
Socio-Economic Component
Potential Adaptive
Barangay Exposure Sensitivity Vulnerability
Impact Capacity
Cayetano L M L M L
Magsaysay L M L M L
New Mabuhay M H H H M
White Beach H M H M H
Escolta M H H M H
Mauswagon M L L M L
Wadas M H H M H
Bagumbayan M H H M H
Cab-ilan H H H M H
Cabayawan H H H M H
Gomez M H H M H

Page | 52
Overall Vulnerability (TURF)

The TURF Vulnerability is the integration of Fisheries, Ecosystem and

Socio-economic components. The overall vulnerability is shown in Table
16, Barangays White Beach, Escolta, Mauswagon, Cab-ilan and
Cabayawan have high vulnerability to climate change in coastal
fishery. The factors that cause high vulnerability of the mentioned
barangays are: 1. the geographical location of the area which are
exposed to waves that hinder the survival of other non-wave tolerant
fish species; 2. Fisheries dependency- the presence of mostly full-time
fishers out of the total population of the area; 3. the absence of
adjacent habitats; 4. the annual and cumulative income of the
coastal barangays which are commonly lower than the provincial
poverty threshold.

Barangays Cayetano, Magsaysay, New Mabuhay, and Gomez have

low vulnerability. Aside from the reason that the area is not exposed to
predominant winds, the mentioned barangays have adjacent habitats
and have extensive habitats that harbor several fish species.

Barangays Wadas and Bagumbayan are moderately vulnerable since

they have medium rate in Fisheries and low rate in Ecosystem
component.

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Table 16. TURF Overall Vulnerability

Barangay Fisheries Ecosystem Socio-economic Overall

Cayetano MLL
Magsaysay LLL
New Mabuhay MLM
White Beach HHH
Escolta HHH
Mauswagon HHL
Wadas MLH
Bagumbayan MLH
Cab-ilan HMH
Cabayawan MMH
Gomez LLH

Page | 54
TURF Overall Vulnerability Map

Page | 55
 LINKING VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT TO ADAPTATION

Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in

response to actual or expected climate change and associated
impacts in order to reduce harm or take advantage of beneficial
opportunities (IPPC, 2001; USAID, 2009; MERF, 2013).

To reduce the potential impact and improve the adaptive capacity of

the coastal barangays of the Municipality of Dinagat, the results of the
Vulnerability Assessment are used as guide to identify adaptation
strategies that will help reduce the vulnerability of the respective area.

The proposed actions were categorized into different priorities.

Priority 1:

 Strict Implementation of the Municipal and Barangay Ordinance on

the Prohibition of Mangrove Cutting

One of the natural coastal defenses against erosional processes,

buffering waves and other extreme weather condition are the
mangrove habitats. Prohibiting the cutting of mangroves promotes
recovery of the destructed area caused by natural devastation or
human-induced activities/destruction. Mangrove trees slowly
regenerate soil nutrients through fallen leaves and other detritus
decomposition, and silt entrapment. It improves soil condition
allowing other plants to grow and take root. A large area of
mangrove site can increase the coastal integrity of the coast by
reducing storm effects and stabilize shorelines thus lessens potential
impact.

Page | 56
 They also support marine life. Fallen leaves decompose and serve
as food for smaller organisms. This also increases fish supply by
promoting juvenile fish to mature and spawn by taking refuge on
the root systems and crevices in the mangrove site.
 NIPAS Act of 1992 (R.A. 8586) Fisheries Code (R.A. 8550) DENR
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 15, Series of 1990, DAO No. 2005-24,
Sec. 9 & R.A. 7161
 MOA Section 4, Executive Order No. 192
- Barangay Bagumbayan
- Barangay New Mabuhay

 Strict Implementation of Ordinance Prohibiting the Extraction of

Sand, Gravel, Stone and Corals (”Binagong” or Brain Corals)

The very crucial issue for all coastal barangays is the regulation of
beach composition quarrying or extraction. Beach compositions
and coral reefs are significant factor that lessens the coastal
sensitivity to wave impacts that causes coastal erosion. There are
approved ordinances that prohibit extraction of beach
composition, but no strict implementation, neither penalties incurred
nor list of violators filed with cases.

The unceasing coastal development consumes tons of sand, gravel

and coral boulders, known as “Binagong” or brain corals.
“Binagong” are commonly targeted for construction and used as
substitute of stones for groins (port) and seawalls establishment.
During the rapid ocular survey last January 2016 in the coastal
barangays of Municipality of Dinagat, the extraction of Binagong
(Brain Coral) was prominently observed in Barangays Cabayawan,
Escolta, White Beach and Cab-ilan which serves as ports and
seawalls.

Page | 57
 LGU’s must have to adopt these laws:
 DAO 99-34 – Law on Foreshore Lease Agreements (FLA)
 DAO 2004-24 – Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the
Administration and Management of Foreshore Lands
- Mangrove areas are exempted for FLA’s

 Ordinance Declaring Portion of Territorial Seawater of Barangay New

Mabuhay as Fish Sanctuary

One of the approaches to address the declining fish supply is to

establish marine protected area which will conserve different
marine species and to let them mature and spawn for continuous
supply of fish and other marine organisms. As to the declaration of
the sanctuary as marine protected area, consultative meeting with
the authorities and public hearings must be undertaken.

The Barangay officials of Brgy. New Mabuhay headed by Brgy.

Captain Caridad Ocay proposed the establishment of a Marine
Protected Area (MPA). As observed by the fisherfolks during the
TURF focus group discussion last February-March 2016, there is a
major difference in the size, amount and composition catch for the
past few decades, in which some of the fish species caught in the
last decades were not observed or seldom observed these days.

Priority 2:

 Strict Implementation of Ordinance Prohibiting Illegal Fishing such as

Dynamite Fishing and Cyanide Fishing

Unregulated fishing practices diminished fish catch and composition

over a period of time wherein not only the fishery aspect is affected

Page | 58
 but also the health of the coral reef ecosystem. One of the reasons
for ineffective implementation of the ordinances regarding illegal
fishing and other ordinances is the lack of bylaw coordination
between the municipal and barangay government unit.

During the Automated Rapid Reef Assessment in the Municipality of

Dinagat, some of the coral damages observed indicate a
destruction caused by dynamite fishing. Coral bleaching was also
noted with some algae invasion. During the VATCE workshop in the
Municipality of Basilisa last September 2015, the representatives from
the Municipality of Dinagat state that the coral bleaching was not
just caused by the changing climate condition or storms but due to
cyanide fishing.

 Ordinance Prohibiting Fishers from Other Provinces in Entering or

Conduct Fishing Activities in the Municipality of Dinagat

Illegal fishing in the coastal areas of Dinagat Municipality is one of

the major causes of the coral reef destruction. For the past few
years the community specially the Fisherfolks notice the changes
brought by the illegal activities; from diminishing catch composition
to decreasing catch rate. Per Municipal Environment and Natural
Resources Office observation, the illegal activities were caused by
the non-settlers of Dinagat Islands.
The proposed ordinance will only permit the local settlers of
Province of Dinagat Islands to enter and conduct fishing activities in
the Municipality of Dinagat Municipal waters. As to, further
monitoring of the fishing activities conducted in the area, the
Municipal Local Government Unit proposed the Re-organization of
Bantay-Dagat.

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 Re-organization of Bantay-Dagat per Barangay

The re-organization of Bantay-Dagat per coastal Barangay was

proposed in relation to the proposed ordinance Prohibiting Fishers
from Other Provinces in Entering or Conduct Fishing Activities in the
Municipality of Dinagat, for further monitoring of the illegal activities
in the coastal areas. A budget proposal for patrol boats and
patrolling paraphernalia were recommended by the Sangguniang
Bayan Chairman.

Priority 3:

 Implementation of Guidelines Regulating Coastal Built-ups or

Structures

The unstoppable coastal development is due to the increasing

population in the coastal area. The coastal structures such as groins,
seawalls hinder the normal transport of the coastal sediments. The
obstruction of sediment supply lessens the coastal integrity and
causes soil erosion.
 DAO 2004-24 – Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the
Administration and Management of Foreshore Lands- shall be
properly implemented and monitored.

 Identification of Potential Fish Sanctuary per Barangay

Focus Group Discussion results on Tools for Understanding Resilience
of Fisheries last February 2016 indicate low catch rate in most of the
coastal areas of Dinagat Municipality.
To promote fish recruitment, identification of Potential Fish
Sanctuary per Barangay was suggested as a stepping stone for

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 area assessment to be declared as Marine Fish Sanctuary or
Rehabilitation Sanctuary.

 Mangrove Tree Planting in Potential Areas in the Municipality of

Dinagat
Mangrove forest is one of the coastal habitats that play an
important role in lessening wave impacts and promoting fish
recruitment. One of the proposed strategies is Mangrove tree
planting in the potential areas of Dinagat Municipality. Furthermore,
it promotes refuge for juvenile fish and other marine organisms.
Based on Beach Profiling result conducted last August 2015, most of
the coastal zone shows a sign of erosion like the root exposure of
trees and presence of scarp. Mangrove presence in the area will
lessen further erosions and filter more silt from upland run-offs.

 Creation of Livelihood Program not Related to Fishing Activities

The greater the dependency on fishing in the area increases the
degree of vulnerability of fisheries to climate change due to high
pressure of resource consumption.
Creation of livelihood program not related to fisheries will reduce
working efforts on fishing activities thus lessens the resource
consumption pressure.

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Fig.35. Capacity x Urgency diagram for the Municipality of Dinagat, PDI

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