SESAM ESEP Lab Holds Validation Workshop on Impact Assessment of a Coral Reef Rehabilitation Technology

The SESAM’s Ecosystems Services and Environmental Policy (ESEP) has recently conducted a validation workshop last 30 November 2018 at the C.B. Perez Hall of PCAARRD for the results of a 2-year project, “Impact assessment of the Filipinnovation on coral rehabilitation program in the Philippines (PhilCORA Project).” Participants were from UPLB, University of San Carlos, Batangas State University and DOST-PCAARRD.

The project is a pioneering undertaking aimed at evaluating the coral transplantation technology that was tested by the FilipinnovationProgram, which was implemented by DOST-PCAARRD and select academic institutions to rehabilitate degraded reef ecosystems in several areas of the country. Analysis of impacts of the coral transplantation technology covered the a) biophysical aspects (e.g. ecosystem structure and function) and b) its subsequent impacts to the economic and social aspects. For about 4-5 years since the program implementation, impact evaluation was deemed necessary in order to compare the costs of rehabilitation with the net benefits that would accrue years after the rehabilitation.

Now on its final phase, the project’s analysis of the impacts are now being prepared towards the development of a management and monitoring plan and protocol. Agencies pursuing coral rehabilitation projects, including the national government agencies funding such projects, would have a good basis on the implementation and roll-out programs.  It is expected that the analysis of this proposed project would provide an empirical accounting of the marginal effects of coral transplantation technology particularly in terms of the increased tourism and biodiversity against its costs. 

Through this project, SESAM intends to contribute towards a more robust and scientific basis in the conduct of an impact assessment of a coral reef rehabilitation technology particularly in the Philippines. The members of the interdisciplinary research team are Rico Ancog as the project lead; and team members namely, Hildie Nacorda, Canesio Predo, Rodel Subade, Jomar Rabajante, Badi Samaniego, Christina Corales, Annelyn Balatayo and Mia Salcedo. It was implemented through the funding support of DOST-PCAARRD.

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