Proclamation No. 156, signed by the President on March 25, 1993 officially declared Lingayen Gulf as an Environmentally Critical Area. Subsequently, local government units, several research institutions (both local and foreign), non-government organizations, the academe, and other government agencies have focused their efforts to look into the economical viability as well as environmental sustainability of the coastal area that is Lingayen Gulf.
Proclamation No. 156, signed by the President on March 25, 1993 officially declared Lingayen Gulf as an Environmentally Critical Area. Subsequently, local government units, several research institutions (both local and foreign), non-government organizations, the academe, and other government agencies have focused their efforts to look into the economical viability as well as environmental sustainability of the coastal area that is Lingayen Gulf.
Lingayen Gulf is located off the coast of Pangasinan and La Union Provinces in northwestern Luzon. It is a semi-circular bay opening directly into the South China Sea. It is bounded in the west by Cape Bolinao in Western Pangasinan and by Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union in the eastern part. Refer Figure 1.
As defined under the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC), the gulf's coastal area is delineated by the outermost limit of 200-meter (100 fathom) isobath and the innermost boundary of one (1) kilometer from the shoreline.
The seaward boundary of the coastal area approximates the 100-fathom isobath with straight lines. The landward boundary coincides with the municipal boundaries of coastal towns or inland municipalities that contain brackishwater fishponds with connections to the gulf. The coastal area includes 18 coastal municipalities, one (1) city, and five (5) inland municipalities. The coastline measures approximately 160 km from Cape Bolinao to Poro Point in San Fernando. The waters enclosed by the coastline and the seaward boundary have a total area of 2,610 sq. km.
The Gulf has been subdevided into three (3) sectors Sector I (on the west) starts from Silaqui Island to Sual and consist of hard, coralline bottom substrates and uneven topography. Most of the gulf's coral reefs, seagrass beds and algal flats can be found in this sector. Sector II (in the centre) from Labrador to San Fabian has mostly soft silt and muddy substrates and shallow, gradually sloping depths. Extensive areas of brackishwater fishponds are found inland. Section III (on the east coast) includes all towns up to San Fernando, is characterized by sandy coraline bottom.
Based on the study conducted by the regional office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for the Lingayen Gulf Coastal Area Development Plan, several issues and problems related to resource use in the Gulf's coastal area were identified. Threats to the coast include overfishing, destruction of critical habitats, pollution, constrained aquaculture production, and coastal erosion. The gravity of the problems confronting the Gulf and its resources calls for the implementation of high impact activity which would form a major component of an integrated approach in managing this delicate resource.
a. Over Fishing
. Studies conducted revealed that the combined fish extraction rate of the two sectors is six (6) times faster than the natural replenishment rate of the Gulf's fishery resources.
b. Destruction of critical habitats
To maximize catch brought about by intense competition in the area, many municipal fishermen have turned to illegal fishing methods such as the use of explosive and poison (cyanide). Siltation as well as the conversion of mangroves into fishponds have also contributed to the decline in resources.
c. Pollution
A primary source of pollution in the area is the mining tailings coming from upland mines as well as silt deposits from denuded watersheds. Other sources are contributed by agricultural runoff, industrial and domestic water, and sewerage from urban centers. Lahar from Mt. Pinatubo also pose as a potential threat in some coastal areas of the Gulf.
d. Coastal erosion
The eastern coast of the Gulf is draped by beaches which is primarily a tourist attraction in the area. However, this section has been severely eroded due to strong tide current and aggravated seashore mining.
Being considered an Environmentally Critical Area by the Philippines Government, the Linguyen Gulf has been subject to several studies recently to address issues of fisheries and other resources management, such as those done by the International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) in 1990. The University of the Philippines, Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) is also located in the Gulf.
Possible end users include government agencies and the academe, namely:
The main objective of the national priority project is to strengthen the capability within national agencies and local government units in order to address coastal zone issues. Specifically, the NPP aims to:
To establish the geographical database, the study requires both spatial data in maps and attribute data in statistical form. Table 1.0 lists the major thematic map layers and associated attribute files were initially identified to be included in the GIS database. Applications wherein these data elements can be used to address issues relating to the use of coastal resources information are also listed. Data will come from both line agencies and community sources in addition to other investigations.
Table 1.0 GIS Data Elements
Major Theme Thematic Application
Layers/Attribute
Topographic Administrative
boundaries
-provincial
-coastal municipalities
River system
Infrastructure road network
Land use existing land use/cover spatial planning
coastal area zoning
Coastal/fishery Coastal resources analysis of the exploitation of
-coral reefs, mangrove, coastal fishing resources
seagrass, etc Resources inventory
Landing centers -monitoring and assessment
Fishing area, fish assessment of critical habitats
production analysis of distribution
Pelagic/demersal fish patterns of species
distribution
Habitat areas
Fishery productivity
areas
vital structural areas
Environment Sediment/effluents Environmental impact assessment
Point pollutant sources C.E.P.
Industrial site location
Socio-Economic Population
No. of fishermen
No. of fishpond
operators
Physical Features slope, elevation, Hydrological applications and
Physiography, Bathymetry water movement
Hydrography Flood map Analysis of sedimentation
Drainage pattern loading and movement
Soil Soil map Land suitability assessment
Climatological wether pattern Location of fish habitats
sea surface temperature
Tide and current
Other: Policies Existing policies/ laws/ Implementation of zoning
formulation guidelines
8. Outputs
The following are the outputs of the case study:
a. Thematic Maps (these maps can be displayed on-screen or generated as hard copies)
b. Computerized system
GIS-based coastal resources profiling system
A PC-based spatial analysis system will be developed to integrate various coastal/fisheries resources information to facilitate data storage, retrieval, analysis. The system will be developed using ARCVIEW to enhance display of information in the form of maps and attribute data.
Outputs of the Coastal Resource Profile system will serve as inputs to the GIS-aided Identification of fish Sanctuaries persuant to the Presidential Decree 704 otherwise known as Fisheries Decree of 1975. The identification of actual sites shall be made in accordance with the set of criteria and procedures formulated under General Moratorium Order No. 5 Series 1990 outlining the guidelines of the establishment of fish sanctuaries.
Delineation of the 15 kilometer buffer for municipal fishing grounds plus the identification of each of the coastal municipality's jurisdiction within the 15 km. buffer zone will be an integral part of the module.
c. Computerized Databases
- Thematic maps in digital format
d. Reports and other documentation
Source: derived from the Philippines Definition Report (prepared by NAMRIA), April 1997