Photo via Lezlee Amor Escalante
The University of the Philippines Cebu, through its Department of Biology and Environmental Science (DBES) and the Coastal Observation, Assessment, and Monitoring for Sustainable Tropical Seascapes (COASTS) Program, conducted stakeholder consultations on November 4 and 6, 2026, to gather inputs for a proposed coastal resilience project in Tañon Strait.
The consultations form part of the development of a project proposal for submission to the Adaptation Fund, with Tañon Strait identified as a potential pilot site.
The November 4 online consultation brought together representatives from national government agencies and coastal local government units (LGUs) surrounding Tañon Strait. Discussions focused on priority coastal hazards, gaps in community warning systems, local government preparedness needs, and requirements for installing and maintaining monitoring equipment.
On November 6, the team held an in-person consultation and co-design workshop in Tuburan, Cebu, with representatives from coastal barangays, including small-scale fishers, fisherwomen, gleaners, fish processors, aquaculture operators, and boat crews.
Through community meetings, focus group discussions, interviews, and participatory mapping, residents shared their experiences with coastal hazards, their effects on livelihoods, and existing warning systems. They also identified coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, hazard-prone areas, and potential locations for monitoring equipment.
Inputs from both consultations will inform the proposed project’s monitoring priorities, site selection, and mechanisms for sharing timely information with coastal communities.
The initiative highlights the importance of combining scientific assessment and local knowledge in developing coastal resilience measures.