Dimithri Jayagoda 
The Performances of Sustainable Environmental Development Projects (Mangrove Plantation) in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan-Philippines 

Master’s Thesis from the year 2011 in the subject Politics – Methods, Research, grade: A+, , course: International Cooperation Policy, language: English, abstract: Undoubtedly, the mangroves and associated wildlife show signs of degradation in every region of the world. The historical data proves that in 10 regions there is a continuous mangrove lost since 1980 to 2005. The research destination, the Philippines has lost its mangrove cover severely. The government involvements, necessary law enforcement, political will proper leadership, community involvement, alternative livelihoods, education campaign, and involvement of all local and national organization and willingness of local communities are needed to change this trend of degradation of mangroves around the world. There is an example in the City of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Philippines that combined all the ingredients to a continuously performing sustainable environmental development project. This mangrove plantation project is known as “Love Affair with Nature”. This project is being held annually since 2003 and 58.5 hectares has been rehabilitated in Puerto Princesa. This project is very attractive with its mass wedding ceremony and celebrations. Averagely, about 150 couples get marry with the support of the local mayor under one condition of planting a mangrove tree together.

The performances rely upon the integrated environmental projects conducted in the Puerto Princesa city. The planting mangrove project on every Valentine’s Day is not a standalone program. There are varieties of other community based mangrove and tree planting projects conducted regularly. Every citizen of the Puerto Princesa is a part of the pride of being environmentally sound citizens. In this study, the author has proven that Puerto Princesa City in Palawan has gained its forest cover and mangrove forest during the past two decades. The qualitative findings among interviewing local community at various stages have proven that every citizen in Puerto Princesa is aware of the importance of mangroves and they believe that the mangrove forest in Puerto Princesa is growing. The available national statistics also prove that in Puero Princesa City and in the whole Palawan Province, both mangrove and forest cover is increasing. A unique methodology was used in this study and photography was used to document many of the qualitative findings. Also, the author has originally developed a framework of success for “Love Affair with Nature” Mangrove Plantation project and which can be adopted in various parts of the Philippines.

About the author

Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda

Dimithri Devinda Jayagoda (Sri Lankan) is a doctoral graduate from the Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies at Ritsumikan Asia Pacific University (APU) – Japan. Currently he is an Administrator at the Admissions Office (International) of the same University. He is continuing his research in the sustainability of the island of Palawan in the Philippines. Currently he is engaged in several ongoing research projects in Oita prefecture of Japan in relation to community capacity development. Dimithri earned a master’s degree from APU in development economics and a bachelor’s degree in business administration.He was awarded a Sylff fellowship during April 2011 and March 2012. Since April 2012 to September 2014 he was a scholar received Kobayashi International Scholarship for graduate studies. He is the founder of “Dimi on Education, ” an open Facebook group that shares educational information.