Local police checking out the newly installed billboard in Candijay, Bohol
GIZ ProCoast project stakeholders in 15 municipal local government units (LGUs) of Bohol have reaffirmed their commitment to continue the implementation of coastal protection measures that the project has initiated. This after typhoon Odette hit the region in December 2021 and halted the behavior change campaigns designed toward coastal and marine conservation. Notably affected was the installation of billboards aimed at raising the residents’ awareness of the importance of their marine protected areas (MPAs) that serve not only as a source of food of local communities but also as a protection against strong winds and storm surges.
In March 2022, GIZ staff, together with the Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) and partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs), held discussions with key stakeholders from each LGU to review the project accomplishments before the typhoon hit and to determine the status of the project outputs and the LGUs’ capacity and interest to continue implementing the activities until the end of the ProCoast project in June.
Project site visits revealed that previously installed marker buoys were washed out during the onslaught of the typhoon and mangrove seedlings, nurseries and rehabilitation sites were destroyed save for a few. Nonetheless, six municipal LGUs launched their social marketing campaigns to engage local communities in protecting and managing their respective marine protected areas in May 2022. A sustainability workshop was also conducted to ensure that the gains of the project in Bohol are integrated into the work program of DENR.
GIZ ProCoast Project is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The IKI is one of the key instruments of the German Federal Government to support international climate action and biodiversity. (ProCoast/ Franca Sprong, Raquel Capio)
