Bongsanglay Mangrove Natural Park is one of the country?s remaining old growth mangrove forests and the only remaining primary growth mangrove forests in the whole Region V that needs to be protected. 23 out of the 30-40 species of mangrove species in the Philippines can be naturally located in the protected area (PA). Its mangrove forest has the rare distinction of having all the three species of the mangrove family Sonneratiaceae --- pagatpat, (Sonneratia alba), pedada (S. caseolaris), and pagatpat-baye (S. ovata), which is said to be the rarest of the three Sonneratia species. Recognizing its distinct and unique biohpysical features, Bongsanglay was also included in the Directory of Costal Resources Management (CRM) Learning Destinations in the Philippines compiled under the CRM project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) due to its very distinct features and importance. Bongsanglay Mangrove is characterized by unique species of mangrove trees and shrubs that fringe the intertidal zone along sheltered coastal, estuarine and riverine areas. These characteristics also play essential role in the defense of the coastal zone, their role in carbon sequestration, and the increased risks posed by the predicted rise in sea level. The biodiversity of the park supports numerous important wetland communities of plants and animals. So to say that this biodiversity also provides food sources and essential benefits to the socio-cultural activities of the communities of Batuan, Masbate.

Like any other coastal habitats across the world, this PA is threatened by several cases of unlawful activities and problems. For many years, protection of the forest fell on the shoulders of several fish wardens assigned in the area. At the present, this problem is still evident. Several local community members attested that alleged incidence of illegal cutting of mangroves trees in the PA by the people from the adjacent municipalities were reported. This is a clear manifestation of limited number of wardens to protect the area. The said wardens fell short on acquiring the necessary equipment, knowledge, and skills to effectively guard the whole PA.

Aside from the above mentioned incidences, based from the Bongsanglay Natural Park Management Plan (BNPMP), the park lacks the facilities, equipment, and amenities which would have enhanced its patrolling and protection activities, as well as in promoting eco-tourism, recreational potentials, and conservation of the old and secondary growth mangrove forest. The footpath, for example, on the elevated eco-trail underneath trees of Rhizophora species and largely from light construction materials of bamboo and coconut, gets dilapidated every two (2) or three (3) years and had to be replenished periodically. Potable water, lighting, and transportation facilities are non-existent.

These mangroves ecosystem have been particularly vulnerable to exploitation and illegal land conversion specifically by illegal loggers from adjacent municipalities due to the valuable wood and abundant marine resources present in the PA. Likewise, protection of mangrove forest habitat, especially mixed species forests vis-à-vis the preservation of the natural hydrological regime operating in its ecosystem are critical to the success of mangrove biodiversity conservation.
Like any other coastal habitats across the world, this PA is threatened by several cases of unlawful activities and problems. For many years, protection of the forest fell on the shoulders of several fish wardens assigned in the area. At the present, this problem is still evident. Several local community members attested that alleged incidence of illegal cutting of mangroves trees in the PA by the people from the adjacent municipalities were reported. This is a clear manifestation of limited number of wardens to protect the area. The said wardens fell short on acquiring the necessary equipment, knowledge, and skills to effectively guard the whole PA.

Aside from the above mentioned incidences, based from the Bongsanglay Natural Park Management Plan (BNPMP), the park lacks the facilities, equipment, and amenities which would have enhanced its patrolling and protection activities, as well as in promoting eco-tourism, recreational potentials, and conservation of the old and secondary growth mangrove forest. The footpath, for example, on the elevated eco-trail underneath trees of Rhizophora species and largely from light construction materials of bamboo and coconut, gets dilapidated every two (2) or three (3) years and had to be replenished periodically. Potable water, lighting, and transportation facilities are non-existent.

These mangroves ecosystem have been particularly vulnerable to exploitation and illegal land conversion specifically by illegal loggers from adjacent municipalities due to the valuable wood and abundant marine resources present in the PA. Likewise, protection of mangrove forest habitat, especially mixed species forests vis-à-vis the preservation of the natural hydrological regime operating in its ecosystem are critical to the success of mangrove biodiversity conservation.
Like any other coastal habitats across the world, this PA is threatened by several cases of unlawful activities and problems. For many years, protection of the forest fell on the shoulders of several fish wardens assigned in the area. At the present, this problem is still evident. Several local community members attested that alleged incidence of illegal cutting of mangroves trees in the PA by the people from the adjacent municipalities were reported. This is a clear manifestation of limited number of wardens to protect the area. The said wardens fell short on acquiring the necessary equipment, knowledge, and skills to effectively guard the whole PA.

Aside from the above mentioned incidences, based from the Bongsanglay Natural Park Management Plan (BNPMP), the park lacks the facilities, equipment, and amenities which would have enhanced its patrolling and protection activities, as well as in promoting eco-tourism, recreational potentials, and conservation of the old and secondary growth mangrove forest. The footpath, for example, on the elevated eco-trail underneath trees of Rhizophora species and largely from light construction materials of bamboo and coconut, gets dilapidated every two (2) or three (3) years and had to be replenished periodically. Potable water, lighting, and transportation facilities are non-existent.

These mangroves ecosystem have been particularly vulnerable to exploitation and illegal land conversion specifically by illegal loggers from adjacent municipalities due to the valuable wood and abundant marine resources present in the PA. Likewise, protection of mangrove forest habitat, especially mixed species forests vis-à-vis the preservation of the natural hydrological regime operating in its ecosystem are critical to the success of mangrove biodiversity conservation.
(Source: The Bongsanglay Natural Park (BongNP) Management Plan (2010-2014), DENR-CENRO San Jacinto, Masbate)

General Objective:
The general objective is to respond to biodiversity conservation through the protection, rehabilitation and wise use of Bongsanglay Mangrove ecosystems through processes that maintain their protective function, values and biodiversity while meeting the socio-economic development and environmental protection needs in estuarine and coastal areas.

Specific objectives:
1. To promote sustainable management of mangrove forest and biodiversity conservation
Activities:
a. Mangrove Restoration and Rehabilitation
Outputs:
?5 has. of abandoned fishpond and reverted areas planted with mangroves
?Replanted 6,250 mangrove seedlings in open areas
b. Mangrove Nursery Establishment
Outputs:
?2 community nurseries established
?7,000 seedlings raised in nurseries

2. To develop effective protection and/or rehabilitation of mangrove ecosystems
Activities:
a. Support to Fish Wardens in Protection of the Bangsanglay Mangrove Natural Park
Expected Output/s:
?At least 14 fish wardens conduct regular patrol works
?1 patrol boat
?Fish warden with uniforms, flashlights, etc

3. To increase public awareness and education on the benefits of the mangrove forests
Activities:
a. Biodiversity Education and Community/Fish Wardens? Capacity Building
Expected Output/s:Conducted at least 10 sessions of biodiversity session and 5 technical and management training
b.Sustainable Park Management - Enforcement and institutionalization
Expected Output/s: Facilitated at least 5 community and partners meeting for advocacy and institutionalization
c. Production of IEC materials and cross visits
Expected Output/s:
?Produced at least 1,000 copies of IEC materials
?Conducted 1 cross visits in other communities

4. To support the development of Bongsanglay mangrove forest
Activities:
a. Improvement of Park Facilities
Expected Output/s:
Improved 1 bank house and 3 kilometer mangrove foot walk

5. To support and develop community livelihoods
Activities: Livelihood assistance to communities
Expected output/s:
Scale-up fish warden's livelihood (at least 15 members) and community members' livelihoods (at least 20 families)