The Lingayen Gulf (Philippines) experience: if we have to do it again

The coastal management of the Lingayen Gulf represents a pioneering effort in the Philippines to manage a coastal area that is larger than small islands. After 4 years of research and plan preparation, implementation was initiated with the declaration of the Gulf as an environmentally critical area, and the establishment of the Lingayen Gulf Coastal Area Management Commission. An analyses of the organization and performance of the Commission provided major lessons for future initiatives in coastal management. Programs on law enforcement through punitive measures and vigorous public environmental education through the mass media are easy to implement, and have significant potential to create immediate positive impact among local communities. At the same time, a program on capacity building of management partners at all local governance levels, is crucial for long-term impact. Otherwise, programs on resource management and livelihood development, which require substantial technical inputs, cannot be appropriately implemented.