Original Article

Implementation of Area-Specific Action Plans (ASAP) for community-based MPAs in Cagayancillo, Palawan, Philippines: funded versus not funded

Authors:
Cecilia F. Malolos¹, Michael Angelo D. Maga-ao² , Abraham P. Cea¹ , Sagrado C. Magallanes³ , Jennifier T. Diamante² , Reagan Venturillo⁴ , Maria Mojena Gonzales-Plasus⁵ , and Benjamin J. Gonzales^6
1Western Philippines University, College of Public Administration and Management
²Western Philippines University, College of Arts and Sciences
³Romblon State University, Sta. Maria Campus, Romblon
⁴Western Philippines University, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences
⁵Western Philippines University, College of Fisheries and Natural Sciences
⁶Senior Consultant, BGERMC

ABSTRACT
The Area Specific Action Plan (ASAP) for community-based MPAs serves as an outline of the framework for the purpose, design, and implementation of MPAs. The funding from the US Department of the Interior (USDOI) through Tanggol Kalikasan (TK) was used for the planning, training, and implementation of the Area-Specific Action Plan (ASAP) through Tanggol Kalikasan (TK). Two barangays from the Municipality of Cagayancillo were chosen as beneficiaries of the funding. This study aimed to assess the level of implementation of the ASAP on coastal resource management (CRM) and law enforcement in the community-managed MPAs in Cagayancillo Island, Palawan, through a comparison of the results of the perception survey interviews of the respondents from the control sites and funded sites. Four marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Cagayancillo region were selected as study areas: the MPAs in Barangays (Bgy.) Sta. Cruz (C1) and Nusa (C2) which did not receive additional funding from TK served as control sites; while Bgy. Mampio (F1) and Bgy. Talaga (F2) which received funding from TK, served as the funded site. The results showed that all CRM indicators were fully implemented (4.0) in C1, C2, and F2. The F1, on the other hand, had moderate implementation (2.0) of conducting seminar-workshops on MPA and poor implementation (1.0) of posting tarpaulin, signage, and other infographics. In terms of law enforcement, I1 had significantly moderate implementation (2.0) compared to other barangays. The implementation of ASAP in F1 was badly affected by Typhoon Odette in December 2021. Taking all factors into consideration, personal interview results revealed that the key to the effective implementation of MPAs’ CRM and law enforcement activities significantly depends on the leaders of a barangay. Well-established leadership can efficiently and responsibly implement projects within their areas.

Keywords: ASAP, Barangay, CRM, law enforcement, MPA

^{Available Online: 30 July 2024}

How to Cite:
Malolos CF, Maga-ao MAD, Cea AP, Magallanes SS, Diamante JT, Venturillo R, Plasus MMG and Gonzales BJ. 2025. Implementation of Area-Specific Action Plans (ASAP) for community-based MPAs in Cagayancillo, Palawan, Philippines: funded versus not funded. The Palawan Scientist, 17(1): 1-7. https://doi.org/10.69721/TPS.J.2025.17.1.01

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License