Environment Protection and Conservation Projects

Aligned with its commitment to preserving the environment, CLAFI has planted and maintained about 100,000 mangrove seedlings along the coasts of Maasim, Alabel, and Malapatan municipalities in Sarangani Province since 2012. Through this project, CLAFI supports the preservation of Sarangani Bay, a protected seascape. Mangrove forests are important parts of the marine ecosystem, protect coastline areas, and serve as a fertile ground for marine life.

This project is in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XII, Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), and Municipal & Barangay Local Government Unit. The foundation also worked with the local academe to monitor the growth of the planted mangroves.

CLAFI plants different resilient species of mangrove, suchs as Pagatpat, Bakhaw, Piapi, and Tungog, to build a mangrove forest that protects the province’s coral reefs and prevents soil erosion in neighboring communities.

Sanctioned by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), the foundation fabricated and deployed Artificial Reef Domes (ARDs) and Artificial Reef Cubes (ARCs) around the Sarangani Bay to serve as artificial habitat of marine life in a bid to improve the poor coral condition of the bay.

In 2015, 300 ARDs were deployed in the coast of Maasim and Malapatan, in Sarangani Province.

The foundation also deployed Artificial Reef Cubes (ARCs) in the said coasts. The ARC is a newly introduced design presented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources which will also provide shelter for aquatic organisms. At the same time, ARCs will help uplift the economic status of the fisher folks in the area.

A total of 5,075 ARDs and ARCs have been deployed since 2009.

On October 10, 2017, the Coastal Resources and Foreshore Management Section (Conservation and Development Division) of DENR Region XII conducted an underwater assessment of the deployed ARDs and ARCs in Brgy. Kamanga, Maasim. The assessors reported a positive response, and they advised for the declaration of the bay as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) to preserve the habitat of the residing marine creatures.

To maintain the abundant population of Bangus in Sarangani Bay, the foundation conducts periodic release of Bangus Fry in partnership with the Environment & Natural Resources Office, Finfish Hatcheries Incorporated, and Sarangani Energy Corporation.

A total of 12.8 million Bangus Fry have been released in the bay since 2012.

A Sarangani Energy Corporation project, in partnership with CLAFI, dedicated to increasing forest cover in 700 hectares of land in Siguil and Kablacan watershed through economically empowering local communities via agroforestry.