Localization and Institutionalization of Coastal Resource Management Education in the Basic Education Curriculum

Abstract

The Philippines is the center of marine biodiversity in the world but it is also the center of biological diversity that is most threatened with destruction. Because of this, many initiatives have been done towards coastal resources management.
One of these initiatives is the project undertaken by the Marine Environment and Resource Foundation (MERF) of the University of the Philippines, with the support of the State of Netherlands. A component of this project involved the Department of Education inasmuch as the schools are in the best position to effectively promote the sustainable use and conservation of coastal resources.
This component, referred to as the “Localization and Institutionalization of Coastal Resource Management Education in the Basic Education Curriculum (LICRME-BEC),” was initiated with the aim of training the present andfuture generation of school children on how to be stewards of coastal resources in and around Lingayen Gulf.
Based on the stated objective, a subproject was conceptualized and implemented by the Unlimited Professional Development and Technical Enhancement, Inc. (UPDATE), the consultancy firm contracted by the MERF under its main project Sagip-Lingayen Gulf Project- Information, Education and Communications Component (SLGP- IEC).