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A CFTU Network activity
funded by the Association Liaison Office for University Cooperation in Development (ALO)and US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 

THEME #2
Building Institutional Capacity

- Project #1-
Assessment of the Heavy Metal Pollution in Abatan River & Maribojoc Bay in Bohol, Philippines

Project Leaders: Emilia M. Roslinda, Delia B. Solis and Mario L. Limocon


• Project Summary • Objectives
• Outputs/Results • Documents

PROJECT SUMMARY

Preliminary studies on the water quality of Abatan River and Maribojoc Bay revealed high level of heavy metal pollution. Heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, have been detected in water, sediment and biomass of the river and the bay areas. Because of this alarming result, an in-depth study was conducted by PROCESS-Bohol, Inc., in collaboration with stakeholders, to assess the extent of the heavy metal pollution and its effects on marine species as well as human beings consuming the marine resources from Abatan River and Maribojoc Bay.

Survey tools for interview and market and household surveys were prepared by 13 local researchers who were trained to undertake this specific task. Over 600 households and 100 fish/seafood vendors were interviewed across the watershed to generate their views and perspectives on the importance of the Abatan River and Maribojoc Bay, the fisheries, their health conditions, practices, among others. As a follow-up activity, focused group discussions were conducted with key informants to validate the data generated from interviews and secondary sources. The secondary data were taken from the Barangay Health Centers and Rural Health Units of the respective municipalities.

Significant findings of the survey, to cite a few, showed that back pains is the leading health complaint of the residents, and is followed by stomach discomforts. Rheumatism and arthritis are the leading chronic illnesses. Hypertension comes next. Most residents regard the Abatan River and Maribojoc Bay as a source of livelihood and food.

When these findings were presented together with the results of the previous studies and inputs regarding effects of heavy metal pollution and the implications of karst environment, various reactions surfaced from the participants. There was even an attempt by the Regional Director of DOH to issue a health advisory on this effect which did not push through perhaps because it might affect the livelihoods of the fisheries sector, especially the fishers. DENR-EMB assumed the responsibility in conducting periodic water quality monitoring with support from the Southern Industrial Project (SIP), the prime suspect polluter. SIP constructed a building with concrete boxes inside to store the sludge and other solid wastes which they removed from the pile along the riverbank.

The project has dramatically increased the level of awareness of the stakeholders, particularly the Abatan Watershed Technical Working Group (TWG) and the Maribojoc-Cortes-Tagbilaran City-Panglao-Dauis Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (MACOTAPADA IFARMC). These multi-sectoral and inter-agency bodies used the findings to strengthen their advocacy campaign for the conservation of Abatan River and Maribojoc Bay. Their collaboration spawned new project, such as the eco-tourism initiative of the KALAHI CIDSS in an effort to address poverty issues.

OBJECTIVES

 
  • to determine the prevalent causes of morbidity and mortality among children and adults of the (5) local government units (Antequera, Balilihan, Maribojoc, Cortes and Tagbilaran City) within and along the Abatan River and Maribojoc Bay
  • to identify and analyze the most common species of marine organisms sold and consumed from Abatan River estuary/Maribojoc Bay
  • to increase level of awareness and capacity of stakeholders in interpreting and communicating the results of the research as well as the importance of upstream and downstream ecosystems in a watershed. The intended beneficiaries are the communities around Abatan River and Maribojoc Bay and the general public frequenting these areas

OUTPUTS

  • Communities are taking action in response to their issues and concerns – the Maribojoc-Cortes-Tagbilaran-Panglao-Dauis Integrated Fisheries & Aquatic Resource Management Council (MACOTAPADA IFARMC), a multi-sectoral and inter-agency body organized within Maribojoc Bay on the strength of the Fisheries Code of 1998, took the lead in opposing the proposal of the DENR-EMB to re-classify the bay waters from SA to SB. SB classification allows the discharge of pollutants into the bay without proper mitigating measures against negative impacts. Other oppositions come from Concerned Coalition Against Reclamation (C-CARe) and the group deputized fishwardens in the area.
  • LGUs prioritizing their own resources in support to people’s action – the LGUs of Maribojoc and Tagbilaran City are very active in supporting POs initiatives on coastal resource management. Some areas along the shoreline were declared as marine protected areas. Municipal LGUs also openly protested the continued sand extraction in Abatan River to the provincial LGU.
  • Mechanisms and measures to reduce pollution installed by SIP – after series of consultations with the plant management, there installed a building with concrete boxes inside that will house their sludge and other solid wastes for a period of 20 years. Those pile of sludge that were seen dumped along the riverbank before were already removed and placed in the concrete boxes.
  • List of user-friendly and low-cost survey tools and equipment available – this list is contained in the project proposal prepared by DED consultant assigned with PROCESS in the person of Antonio Cabo, a marine biologist.
  • Inventory of most common species of marine organisms sold and consumed from the research sites – this information was gathered together in the survey.
  • Prevalent causes of mortality and morbidity determined – during the survey, this kind of secondary data was generated from the Barangay Health Centers and Rural Health Units.
  • DENR-EMB 7 performing their functions to periodically monitor the water quality in the subject areas – results showed that level of pollution is fast declining months after the removal of the sludge pile from the riverbank..
  • Convergence of national government agencies & LGUs for Abatan Watershed – launched last February 16, 2005 with Pres. Arroyo to address poverty issues in Bohol.

DOCUMENTS

Limocon, Mario L. 2005. Assessment of the Heavy Metal Pollution in Abatan River & Maribojoc Bay in Bohol, Philippines: Final Project Report . PROCESS, Bohol. 7p.

Other documents associated with the above report:
1) newsclips (3p) and 2) Abatan photos (5p)