𝐏𝐂𝐒𝐃 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐈𝐏𝐄 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜+ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧, 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞, 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧

𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟔 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝐬𝐭, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 – Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) undertook field assessments as part of the WIPE Plastic+ project in Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan. The project comprises four key components: macroplastic and marine pollution assessment, water quality monitoring, coastal integrity and beach profiling, and coral reef assessment.

Seven coral reef monitoring sites managed by PCSDS were revisited, including Albaguen Island, Albaguen Island North Point, Exotic Island, Capsalay Island, Aquarium Reef, Manta Ray Reef, and Oyster Bay Reef. On-site water quality assessments were conducted at these reef locations, alongside the collection of water samples from established monitoring sites across Port Barton Bay. Collaboration with LGU San Vicente, facilitated through the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), and Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), was integral to the success of these monitoring activities.

Furthermore, PCSDS EMED presented the initial findings from the recent monitoring efforts and shared the results of assessments from 2022-2023 with the newly elected Barangay Captain, Rogel Baylon. Discussions centered on policy implications and recommendations derived from the gathered data, aiming to inform and guide future conservation efforts in the region.