Thesis (BS Agribusiness Economics) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, May 2019

The Philippines is still struggling between increasing fishery production and protecting and conserving its coastal and marine resources. The problem also extends to protection initiatives suitable to the needs of the local resource users especially the fisherfolks. The concern for sustaining the production, and the environment, however, can be pursued through policy evaluation and stronger community participation in Coastal Resource Management programs. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the potential participation of coastal communities in the municipality of Lupon to local CRM efforts. Specifically, it aims to determine existing policies that affect the communities? use of coastal resources, assess community awareness of the policies, determine the factors affecting willingness to participate, and recommend strategies to mitigate the vulnerability of coastal resources. Government agencies, online reports, and journals were the main access of the inventory of the policies. Primary data were gathered through face-to-fact survey of coastal households. The study employed descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses to assess community awareness of the regulations and the factors affecting willingness to participate among coastal residents. The community's source of information was mainly information provided by local government units. Results also indicated that aside from mangrove planting and Solid Waste Management activities, more conservation strategies should be introduced to the community. The analysis from Logit Regression further revealed that implementers of CRM initiatives should focus more efforts to sustain community participation of sociodemographic attributes, awareness of CRM efforts, and better implementation of policies.