02 December 2023, Bgy. Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union. 23 active Ecowarriors of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) teamed up with FEED’s ECOSURF team in the “Surfing Capital of the North”, San Juan, La Union, for a day of environmental action and community empowerment.
Each of the 23 coastal species, namely 10 Bitaog and 13 Talisay/Umbrella trees native to the area, were planted along the heavily touristic area; as well 10 corals added to the Urbiz Garden Nursery at Bgy Urbiztondo, San Juan La Union.
The event was led by FEED, in collaboration with its institutional partners Urbiz Garden and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), represented by FEED Ambassadors Tina Antonio (of Urbiz Garden) and Celso Jucutan (environmental lecturer at DMMSU Bacnotan).
As one of FEED’s unique programs, ECOSURF garners increasing attention for those predisposed to coastal travel, diving, free diving, surf and ocean life altogether. It is geared towards raising awareness around the protection and conservation of marine and blue carbon* ecosystems, which includes both terrestrial and ocean-based keystone species, including mangroves, coastal flowering trees and finally corals, being fundamental living elements of the Philippines’s coastline as well as livelihood protection for coastal human and aquatic populations.
Coral propagation benefits not only our oceans, but also the food security provided by local fisherfolk’s ability to harvest sustainable; not to mention surfing as well as farming communities that together interplay and contribute towards La Union province’s agri-tourism strategy. in 2019, the ECOSURF program also trained 45 members of La Union Surf Club, Inc. (LUSC) in being equipped with the knowledge of coral protection especially during peak tourist season, when the foot traffic on the Urbiztondo beach alone can reach up to the tens of thousands of people flowing through town and surf waters. It also provides an alternative income, especially off surf season, to LUSC surf instructors who are keen to share their environmental and surf instruction learning with others willing to give back to Mother Nature.
Eight of the 11-trained Jongky Surf School certified surf instructors were present during this ECOSURF program to guide all aspects from beach cleanup, to tree planting, coral propagation and surfing, namely: Jong Magsanoc & Rhea Ventura (owners of JSS), Cristina Suyat, Tanjung Fietas, Junior “Keks” Ventura, Ronald Pansit, Charisse Palmos (FEED), Diane Penales (FEED) and Anne-Marie Mananquil Bakker (FEED). It is in large part thanks to marine biologist, surfer, eco-activist and FEED Ambassador Laura Riavitz, who used to live and work in La Union, who introduced FEED to Ocean Quest Global and its founder, Anwar Abdullah, to implement the first certified training for JSS in 2017.
ECOSURF was conceived with and for the mainly surfing and fishing communities in the Municipality of San Juan, through various consultations with elders and members of both groups; both of who have experienced some of the intense urbanisation and development of the coast in response to its generous surf seasons during “brr” months; a heavy shift towards eco-tourism; and the significant progression of long boarding represented by several local pioneers of surfing and surf instruction in the Philippines, respectively – a sport and livelihood espoused by the La Union Surf Club, Inc. (LUSC), the Municipality of San Juan itself, as well as the Provincial Government of La Union.
ECOSURF focuses on the planting of native Philippine coastal and climate resilient agroforestry tree species (e.g. all mangrove species, as well as bitaog, talisay/umbrella, duhat, rubber, etc.) in critical areas (Baroro watershed up to the Province’s coastline, specifically fish ponds and urbanising tourism sites) for the protection of shoreline, erosion control, pollution prevention as well as ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation (fishponds and other livelihood sources).
With the Philippines being the 5th longest coastline in the world, restoring up to 70% lost forest cover along the country’s shoreline remains imperative, for FEED in particular focused on the livelihood components of Ridge to REEForestation community-based planting focused on coastal, fishing and farming stakeholders.
Celso highlighted La Union’s diverse geography, emphasizing the importance of programs tailored to the region’s unique characteristics, from mountainous terrains and freshwater rivers, to agricultural investments and coastal livelihoods amongst the fisherfolk throughout the province – all working together to strike a socio-economic and sustainable balance for future generations.
This holistic and comprehensive “Ridge to REEF” (originally espoused by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature/IUCN) approach ensures the effectiveness and sustainability of conservation efforts, as demonstrated by the dedicated training undergone by Jongky Surf School’s coaches to prioritize water safety and environmental stewardship.
One of FEED’s major institutional partners in La Union remains Urbiz Garden as the chosen venue, being one of the greenest tourism spots in the province, through word and deed, Tina Antonio of Urbiz Garden, was also nominated as FEED Ambassador as such back in 2016, being a staunch advocate for sustainable living and environmental stewardship; she shared insights into the “Bokashi” composting process and its benefits for soil health and waste reduction. Participants learned how bokashi composting can help divert organic waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve soil fertility.
The day concluded with a delicious “boodle fight” combining PSE’s 23 participants, Jongky Surf School’s surf instructors (many of whom are trained and certified by Ocean Quest Global in coral propagation), and FEED leaders Celso, Tina, Diane, Chat and Anne of FEED – symbolizing the unity and camaraderie in our shared commitment to protecting and cherishing Mother Nature.
Thank you PSE for being excellent participants throughout the beach cleanup sessions, coastal and coral planting, and earning your reward in surfing – we appreciate PSE’s constant support to the communities and environment, for demonstrating your continued engagement for our shared advocacy in people and planet! May the Forests be with you!
Photo Journal
Coral and Tree Planting Videos
*On Blue Carbon Ecosystems
“Blue carbon refers to the carbon sequestered, stored, and released by coastal and marine ecosystems. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems (e.g., mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses) play a critical role in the sequestration and long-term storage of carbon, thus helping to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Blue carbon ecosystems are found along the coasts of every continent except Antarctica. Mangroves grow in the intertidal zone of tropical and subtropical shores, tidal marshes occur on sheltered coastlines from the sub-arctic to the tropics, though mostly in temperate zones, and seagrasses are found in coastal waters of all continents except Antarctica.”
Source: https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/blue-carbon/blue-carbon-introduction/
These ecosystems remove carbon from the atmosphere and oceans, and store it in their leaves, stems, branches, roots as well as the underlying sediments.
Source: https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/blue-carbon/blue-carbon-introduction/
On a per area basis, these ecosystems are more efficient carbon sinks than most terrestrial forests (Mcleod et al. 2011, Pan et al. 2011)”,
For more on blue carbon, visit: https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/blue-carbon/blue-carbon-introduction/
About The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)
The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) is a self-regulatory organization that provides and ensures a fair, efficient, transparent and orderly market for the buying and selling of securities. The Exchange also offers a convenient and efficient venue in raising capital to support the growth of businesses.
Considered one of the oldest bourses in Asia, the PSE traces its roots back to the country’s two former bourses – the Manila Stock Exchange (formed in 1927) and the Makati Stock Exchange (formed in 1963). The Manila and Makati bourses were unified on December 23, 1992 to form the PSE.
In 2018, the PSE moved its headquarters to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig. The fast paced environment in the Taguig business district is well-suited for the Exchange as it aims to fast track the introduction of new products and services to boost investor participation and liquidity in the Philippine stock market.
For more on PSE, visit: https://corporate.pse.com.ph
About Ocean Quest Global’s All Natural, Non Invasive Methodology
Coral are complex organisms. To be able to grow and cultivate coral for the purpose of coral reef restoration requires an understanding of the organism. This process has been achieved through scientific experimentation. If we compare corals to plants and trees we find that they are all complex in nature. But why is that people readily knew how to plant and cultivate trees but not corals? The answer, quite simply, is that on land we have been planting, growing and cultivating trees for thousands of years. With coral, we have only recently become aware, in the last 35 years, of the need to take action so that we can re-habilitate the damaged and dying reefs.
Coral Propagation – The Organic Approach (Ocean Quest Global)
Source: Ocean Quest Global via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXqBEuP6MvQ
There are several methods of coral propagation around the world, many of which use questionable methodology including metal grids, PVC piping, leather and even electrolysis. What drew organizations like Sea Shepherd and Reef Guardian to Ocean Quest was its all-natural method. The founder of Ocean Quest, Anuar Abdullah, has spent most of his life on the coral reefs of Malaysia, observing their behavior and life cycles, and conducting his own research.
Nature Is Speaking – Ian Somerhalder is Coral Reef | Conservation International
Source: Conservation International (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVMV3StvLCs)
Contact FEED for your Ridge to REEForestation Advocacy
Contact us at FEED for more details, to join our regular activities or to design your own tree-nurturing event: info@feed.org.ph or call/text +63 (0)917 552 4722.
View original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPC29Rwr6Pg
© Fostering Education & Environment for Development, Inc.