With the observable weather changes and frequent natural disasters happening in the country and, Zamboanga City having its coastal barangays, ZABIDA is taking its initiative to proactively conduct environmental programs. One of which is a Participatory Coastal Resource Activity in Simariki.
Simariki is an Island that is part of Barangay Talon – Talon. It is inhabited by Sama Banguingui Tribe led by Simariki Island Sama Banguingui Association(SISBA). The people in the area get their source of living from the bounties of the sea through either fishing or seaweed planting.
During the Zamboanga Siege in 2013, the people in Simariki were forced to leave the place because of the chaos. Now, that the situation is restored to normal, SISBA together with the aid coming from ZABIDA and Verde Zamboanga Alliance represented by Ms. Cellyn Aron Verallo ADZU Faculty staff and the activity’s lead researcher, assisted the community to assess their own socio – demographic as well as the biophysical resources of the area so that they will be able to determine the status of their resources.
Through the research using Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment (PCRA) of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources using the communities own expertise and the help requested from the Zamboanga City State Marine Sciences and Technology technical assistance for incoming assessments. The
Barangay Local Government Unit of Talon-Talon also participates in the training activity. The assessments were scheduled on February 18, March 4 and 5, 2017. (Karel B. Mellanes/ZABIDA-Verde)