Philippines Baseline Project – Batangas Training Event

The project’s third and final plastic litter monitoring training and capacity building programme was held from the 19-29 February 2024 at Matabungkay Beach Hotel and Resort, Lian, Batangas. Thirty-one participants across 13 regional offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources attended, along with our three amazing technical partners from Davao del Sur State College (DSSC). This training we also welcomed back 3 DENR participants who joined the Palawan training. The 3 DENR colleagues assisted with the training and took on the role of survey leader during the CALABARZON baseline campaign. The first four days of training involved classroom-style lectures followed by in-field practice using the ODK application. On the final day of classroom-based training, the participants ventured out to sea and conducted a series of sea-surface net tows to survey plastic in the nearshore environment. The net samples were sorted back at the hotel that evening. The following morning, the group split into 5 teams, each with a DENR or DSSC leader, and commenced the plastic litter baseline campaign across the entire CALABARZON region. All teams re-grouped on the last day with a farewell dinner and certificate ceremony.

 

 

 

	Group photo of the Batangas training at Matabungkay Beach Hotel and Resort, Lian. Image credit: Norman Villamayor.
	Participants conducting the sea-surface litter surveys out from the mouth of the Balibago River, Lian.  Image credit: Kathy Willis
	Participants searching for plastic in the sea-surface net samples. Image credit: Kathy Willis.