West Philippine Sea (WPS) strategic communication plan, Study notes of Communication

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WEST PHILIPPINE SEA (WPS)

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PLAN

INTRODUCTION

Identified as one of the priority seascapes, the West Philippine Sea (WPS) accounts for roughly one third of Philippine waters and hosts a wealth of the country’s coastal and marine resources: from coral reefs, to fisheries resources, to energy and mineral resources, among others. It is of critical importance given its rich biodiversity resources that significantly contribute to food security and livelihood of coastal communities. The coral reefs in the WPS cover an estimated area of 4,640 km², or about 30% of the total reef of the Philippines, and is the largest coral reef area among the countries around the South China Sea Region. Around 600-1000 km² of these reefs are found in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) alone. The KIG is also a source of coral and fish larvae for neighboring reef systems along the western Palawan coast, and as far as the Sulu Sea, and the Indo-China coast. Thus, making it a major fishing ground for thousands of Filipino fishers. However, the WPS faces a number of local, regional, and global issues, such as destructive and unsustainable fishing practices, illegal or unregulated development, climate change, and marine pollution. In addition, the results of the 2017 Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) Survey conducted for the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Management Program (CMEMP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed that there is a need to establish media presence and create awareness to the people on the benefits that Filipinos can derive from the country’s coastal and marine resources, including the WPS. The survey was conducted in order to establish the importance of communication in advocating policies, raising awareness, changing behavior, influencing public opinion, and collaborating to address conflicts related to the program. The WPS Strategic Communication (StratCom) Plan is also in line with the overall objectives of the DENR- Biodiversity Management Bureau’s Communication Plan 2020-2022, in particular to increase biodiversity conservation awareness including its importance, the threats to it, and the benefits from protecting it, which in turn will gain support for the advocacy. It is for this reason that a StratCom Plan is developed. This will serve as a unifying guide for the Department, and its partner agencies, in implementing

a. Non-Government Organizations b. Public Figures c. National (mainstream) Media

5. Private sector including the mainstream Media
6. Coastal communities, especially the fisherfolks
7. The international community (e.g. International Coral Reef Initiative, Convention on Biological Diversity, Regional cooperatives such as Coral Triangle Initiative) OVERARCHING MESSAGE Ang WPS ay karagatang puno ng natural na yaman Kung saan ang Pilipinas ay may karapatan. Pangangalaga at paglinang ang dapat na pagtuunan At hindi ang anupamang mga hidwaan. Kung yaman ng WPS ay pangangalagaan Dala nito’y kaginhawaan sa hinaharap ng mga kabataan Pakikiisa at suporta lamang ang kailangan sa kasalukuyan Upang ang WPS ating pakinabangan magpakailanman THEMES
8. The West Philippine Sea is indispensable, invaluable, the Source and the Sink of our marine resources.
9. Our actions today will protect the WPS and can sustain economic benefits for Filipinos especially the fishermen.
10. Science-based policies to protect and preserve WPS will awaken and educate the Filipinos on the importance of its natural resources as well as its economic value.
11. The youth should take an active role in the protection of the WPS in whatever way they can being the future beneficiaries of these marine resources.
12. Filipino and foreign researches underscore the promotion and validation of the riches of the WPS where Filipinos can benefit from.

6. Stakeholders’ full cooperation in the protection, conservation and management of WPS assures sustainable marine biodiversity for the future generation. MESSAGES Target Audience Message/s Activities Coastal communities Sustainable, non-harmful fishing practices and utilization of resources in the WPS will ensure food security and economic development in the community. Immersion activities: attending and promoting WPS during barangay council meetings with the fisherfolks in attendance Community video showing Radio (plug) promotion Government officials and Policy-makers Science-based information, decisions and policies ensure the success of communication, awareness and behavior change efforts of the government and its partners. It aids impactful implementation of programs for the protection, conservation and management of the WPS. Formally enlist the support of appropriate government agency officials to tie-up in projects in support of the WPS through MOU or MOA Request development and/or lobbying of a law that will protect and ensure proper management of WPS Endorsement of government officials and policy-makers on different media, especially radio and television Educators Environmental conservation, management and protection should be part of the curriculum at all levels of education. Clarity on commonly discussed national concerns such as the West Philippine Sea should be Engagement and agreement efforts with the DepEd and CHED

WPS despite all controversies or disputes other publications of international distribution. Students/Youth Youth involvement is crucial in the protection and conservation of the WPS being its future beneficiaries. The youth are young environmental leaders who can play a huge role in advancing environmental protection and conservation in the country. Production of learning and/or reference materials such as books, posters, videos and digital ads. Hold various activities that are interesting to the youth such as summer camps, online competitions, awards and other community projects, etc. National Agencies Each agency plays an important role in the protection, conservation and sustainable management of the West Philippine Sea. An integrated and collaborative approach to governing the region will pave the way to achieve long term environmental and economic gains for the nation. Periodic meetings such as partners’ forum/light sessions to ensure active disposal of each agency’s mandates in the WPS. Constant gathering of agencies keeps the momentum of work over the WPS. Encourage agencies to support the campaign to protect, conserve and manage WPS by expressing their support to the advocacy through its inclusion in their respective websites. Develop a digital ad or poster showing the under-the-sea beauty of WPS, to be placed at the airport. Negotiate with DOTr, DOT, MIAA and other concerned agencies regarding this effort. Local Stakeholders Community engagement results in deeper understanding of issues, concerns and Include WPS content in the form of fun activities into their local festivities.

resources, as well as promotes cooperation in any action related to the WPS Create materials that local residents can learn from which are written or presented in the local dialect of the region or province they reside in. Media/Public Figures The WPS houses valuable marine biodiversity that needs the involvement of all sectors in its protection, conservation and sustainable management. The state of the WPS largely affects the environmental and economic condition of the country today and the future. Statement of support to the development of WPS Press conference to drum up launch and implementation of activities related to the WPS General Public Every Filipino citizen is capable of cooperating, collaborating and supporting the management and protection efforts done in the WPS. Cinema advertisements; radio plugs and television announcements TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES Activity Organization/ Person Responsible Completion Date Measure/s of Effectiveness (MOE) Creation of the WPS PR and Media group to be composed of different government agency representatives BMB Month 1 of implementati on A responsive plan to execute the series of promotional campaigns Creating a calendar of events BMB and select government agency partners Month 1 Concrete schedule of activities with corresponding budgetary

Press Conference BMB Month 2 Coverage of and media exposure after the Press Conference No. of news articles/features published as a result of the press conference Radio, television guesting and print exposures Month 2 to 3 Regional reach of the shows WAYS FORWARD Activity Target date Remarks Developing of materials Immersion activities, barangay council meeting with the fisherfolks; video showing; radio promotion and leafletting Month 1 BMB PR and Media groups Activity planning/Preparation of calendar of events Month 1 DENR- BMB Production of collaterals Month 2 DENR- BMB

WPS STRATCOM WORKING GROUP DIRECTORY

Agency/ Organization Name Contact No. Email address DENR – Climate Change Service and Mining Concerns Atty. Analiza R. Teh nacb.denr@gmail.com DENR- Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS) Philharks Que denr.scis@gmail.com BMB - Legal Atty. Theresa M. Tenazas 9246031 t_tenazas@yahoo.com BMB – National Parks Division Jobert John Bandol 9258947 jobert.bandol@gmail.com BMB – Biodiversity Policy and Knowledge Management Division Jae Camille Calo jcalo1@upd.edu.ph BMB – Coastal and Marine Division Desiree Eve Maaño 89258 948 desireemaano@gmail.com Joaquin Rogelio Silvestre 89258 948 joaqui.silvestre@gmail.com Paula G. de Castro 89258 948 pauladecastro05@gmail.com Presidential Communications Operations Office Atty. Omar Alexander V. Romero omar.romero@pco.gov.ph Atty. Mary Michelle Rualo mikee.rual@pco.gov.ph Atty. Marie Uy 7330514 marie.uy@pco.gov.ph

Conservation International – Philippines Mr. Enrique Nuñez e.nunez@conservation.org Dr. Augustus Rex Montebon amontebon@conservation.or g PTV4 Maria Beverly Sambajon 09054948008 marveeambi@gmail.com Maela Olaco 09167535881 maeolaco.27@gmail.com