TECHNICAL REPORT

ASSESSMENT OF BALSA – GUIA, CRISTINE AND REMEDIOS – RELATIVE TO CORAL

PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT

The undersigned has conducted underwater assessment in order to

ascertain if Balsa – Guia, Cirstine and Remedios have an impact on any
coral resources in the area. This is relative to the directive of the
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) to the Local Government
Units to Laguindingan and ALubijid, to temporarily stop the operation of
balsa since based on the assessment conducted by the said bureau, a
significant portion of corals and coral reef in the area has been
damaged.

The assessment was also conducted in order to respectfully request

the Local Government Unit concerned and the bureau to continue the
operation of the three balsa in the assumption that these floating
cottages (balsa) has not done any damaged to the corals in the area.

Balsa Operations Area –

As a whole, balsa operation for both Laguindingan and Alubijid is

located within the Molocboloc, Alubijid and Moog, Laguindingan coastal
areas (Figure 1. Google Map 2021). In 2016, BFAR conducted an assessment
within the said area relative to the proposed sea port by Ayala Corp.
Result of the assessment (Gapuz et al, 2016 Assessment Report) showed
that the area (Figure 2 Google Map 2016 Report) is a coral reef area and
with coral cover of 57.22% and a total coral reef area of 17,620 sq m.
The balsa operation area relative to the coral reef area is shown in
Figure 3 (Google Map).

The characteristics of the said coastal areas (Alubijid to

Laguindingan) can be described as significant corals and coral reef in
the shoreline and an abrupt increase in depth up 100 feet and beyond.
Based on history, Moog – Laguindingan also served as submarine based by
the USAFE during World War II.

Location of the Guia, Cristine and Remedios Floating Cottages

“Balsa”

The location of the Guia, Cristine and Remedios Floating Cottages

are as follows:
1. Guia Floating Cottages --- 8°36.114’N and 124°28.448’E
2. Cristine Floating Cottages --- 8°36.121’N and 124°28.477’E
3. Remedios Floating Cottages --- 8°36.128’N and 124°28.453’E
Figure 1. Molocboloc, Alubijid to Moog, Laguindingan Coastal Area (2021 Google
Map). Take note, only Glorious Floating Balsa and Oasis Rafts has been updated
(uploaded) to this Google Map (which maybe 1 to 2 years late).

Figure 2. Excerpt from the BFAR 2016 Assessment Report Relative to the Proposed
Seaport in Moog, Laguindingan – showing the extent of the coral reef in the
said coastal area.
Figure 3. Balsa Operation Area relative to the assessed coral reef area.

The location of the three floating cottages is outside the

identified coral reef area. Based on interview with the fisherfolks, the
area where the three floating cottages are located, is also a fishing
ground where “tapay-tapay” usually set their fishing nets. This implies
also that the area does not have major obstacles underneath like corals,
coral reefs or hard substrate. The location of the three floating
cottages is shown in Figure 4.

An underwater survey was still conducted even if the three floating

cottages were outside the coral reef area to ensure that the balsa did
not negatively affect any corals / coral reef or any other aquatic
resources. It was found out that none of the mooring system of the three
balsa has affected any corals. However, contrary to the 2016 BFAR Report,
even if the bottom is muddy and sandy (with a depth of 80 feet to 130
feet), 1 patches of corals measuring 1 sq m was still found within the
underwater assessment area (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Location of the three floating cottage (with blue labels) and the
distance of the nearest balsa to the reef area at 25 meters.The green circles
represent the area of the underwatera survey conducted.

SINCERE TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATIONS:

In making the following recommendations, the followings section of

The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 as amended by Republic Act No.
10654, entitled "An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal,
Unreported and Unregulated Fishing" was taken into considerations:

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.–It is hereby declared the policy of the

State:
f. to adopt the precautionary principle and manage fishery and aquatic
resources, in a manner consistent with the concept of an ecosystem-based
approach to fisheries management and integrated coastal area management
in specific natural fishery management areas, appropriately supported by
research, technical services and guidance provided by the State(aa);
 Rule 4.1.Additional Terms. – Additional terms and their definitions, as
used in these Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), are as follows:

Ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management – means an approach to

fisheries that strives to balance diverse societal objectives or needs
by taking account of the knowledge and uncertainties about biotic,
abiotic, and human components of ecosystems and their interaction and
applying an integrated approach to fisheries management within
ecologically meaningful boundaries. It may be synonymously used with
“ecosystem approach to fisheries management" (EAFM).

SEC. 16. Jurisdiction of Municipal/City Governments. – The municipal/city

government shall have jurisdiction over municipal waters as defined in
this Code. The municipal/city government, in consultation with the FARMC,
shall be responsible for the management, conservation, development,
protection, utilization, and disposition of all fish and fishery/aquatic
resources within their respective municipal waters.

SEC. 96. Ban on Coral Exploitation and Exportation. – It shall be unlawful

for any person or corporation to gather, possess, commercially transport,
sell or export ordinary, semi-precious and precious corals, whether raw
or in processed form, except for scientific or research purposes. It
shall also be unlawful for any person, corporation or entity to commit
any activity that damage coral reefs.

1. The Molocboloc, ALubijid to Moog, Laguindingan Area is rich with

aquatic resources and it has what we call a complete mangrove,
seagrass and corals dynamics. The area is believed to be the
breeding and nursery grounds for important commercial municipal
fishes in the region. This may also be connected to the proposed
fish sanctuary by Alubijid located within the Alubijid –
Laguindingan Municipal Waters (Please see excerpt from the BFAR
2017 Report). The management of these Balsa Operation Area should
be better if inline with the thrust of an Ecosystem Approach to
Fisheries Management (EAFM) that what is given important is not
the political boundaries but ecological boundaries. It would be
better relative to fisheries management that the area should be
jointly managed by LGUs Alubijid and Laguindingan consistent with
the thrust of Fisheries Management Area policy of BFAR.
2. The operation of balsa in the area is a very huge significant step
in promoting the tourism in the area brough about by the richness
of mangroves and coral reefs (subconsciously).

3. The LGUs (Alubijid and Laguindingan) needs to strengthen the solid

waste management in the area. LGUs may require the tourist to bring
back their trash from the water and dispose them inland. Tourist
can be provided with three sets of plastic trash for food wastes,
biodegrable wastes and non-biodegradable.

4. LGUs in order to protect the aquatic resources may require the

tourist to undergo 15-minute lecture on the importance of fisheries
and other aquatic resources. This is similar to what they are doing
in Calamgaman Islands. LGUs may also develop the dive site in
Laguindingan area where they have a great reef wall in Moog to
Tubajon Area.

5. LGUs upon giving permits to the balsa operators, should also

provide permanent location for each balsa- providing location
coordinates in the permits so as to properly arrange the balsa.
This is important, since during incoming strong typhoons, the balsa
can be transferred temporarily in secured locations preferably near
the Alubijid area since it is the most protected area.

6. During the underwater assessment, mooring systems being used by

the balsa operators can easily be dragged. In this case, the balsa
operators should be assisted with information regarding the
topography on the sea bottom as well its depthness. (Bathymetry of
the area is part of the Technical Assistance to be provided by BFAR
as directed by the present BFAR Regional Director. Based on
information at hand, BFAR will assist the LGU is recommending
possible areas for balsa especially for Alubijid area since this
is where most of the corals are).

7. In areas where there is coral reefs, request can be made to BFAR

and LGUs concerned if screw anchors can be utilized as mooring
system especially for mooring systems intended for strong typhoon
conditions. Used of properly installed screw anchors is utilized
by some countries in order to mitigate the negative impact of
tourism in coral reef areas.

8. Since the balsa operation has supported the livelihood of

fisherfolks, boatmen and LGUs, and with the directive of BFAR as
precautionary principle to temporarily stop the operation of balsa,
balsa operators which is located in the sandy muddy area may request
 Balsa operators located in non coral reef area and has not
negatively affected the corals, may request the LGU concerned (and
in turn the LGU request BFAR) that they may continue operation in
the concept of ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM)
giving importance to the social aspect of the situation. This balsa
operation has actually supported residents of the two LGUs during
this on-going COVID 19 Pandemic and a stop in the operation may
displaced hundreds of workers.

9. For Balsa operators, located in the sandy muddy area, plow anchors
can be utilized instead of mooring blocks since square concrete
moorings can easily be dragged during strong currents. This
Molocbloc, Alubijid to Moog, Laguindingan has history of very
strong underwater currents (based SCUBA divers accounts).

10. As a concerned citizen of Laguindingan, LGUs should

established FIRST RESPONDERS within the area and RESCUE BOATS as a
precautionary measure for any untoward incidents. Although all
tourists are required to wear lifejackets, life guards should be
available within the area. LGUs may train boatman as Emergency
Rescue Responders.

The operation of BALSA in Alubijid and Laguindingan, has really

jumpstarted the tourism activities in these two municipalities.
Competition may arise from other LGUs, but one thing about these two
municipalities is that they have a great mangrove – seagrasses – coral
reef resources and dynamics, which is the reason why tourism in the area
is booming. For Laguindingan, they still have additional funding from
MMK which they can utilized. Laguindingan may proposed the development
of this AQUATOURISM activity.

VIANNEY ANTHONY A. GAPUZ

Fisheries Technologist
Lic # 0000363