In 2011, C3 Philippines began working on the conservation of the endangered dugong (also known as a sea cow) in the Calamianes Islands. It has since led the research and safekeeping of these vulnerable marine creatures. The community-centered organization has established an effective environmental stewardship by engaging local stakeholders. These include local governments units, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, business owners, the academe and even the private sector.
The C3 team explains, “We’re not a NGO, which comes and goes to rural communities in order to implement top-down projects conceived in costly offices in cities by development personnel. We are grassroots, located in the community. All our ideas come from the community and complement the country’s overarching sustainable development goals.”
The organization has partnered with the Indigenous Peoples Organization Nurunutan Yang Tagbanwa tung Quezon (through its sub organization called Nurutan yang Protektor yang Teeb Surubliyen or NPTS) to introduce the Adopt-a-Bahura program. Through meaningful engagement with various stakeholders, the local community and members of the Tagbanwa tribe, the program endeavors to protect and restore the coral reefs in Diapnay in Calawit, Palawan.
With most of its pearls ethically and sustainably sourced in Palawan, ARAO has dedicated a portion of its sales to supporting the Adopt-a-Bahura program. Founder Mirabel Rosar shares, “Our roots in the Philippines–especially in Palawan–run deep. We source our pearls from local, family run pearl farms and bring the natural beauty of the Philippine South Pearl to the world. Naturally, marine conservation and protection of the seas that nurture the development of these flawless pearls are a top priority for the brand. At the heart and soul of all we do is our commitment to giving back–to community, country, and our oceans.” For its inaugural launch, ARAO has supported the program by providing resources that would help “demarcate the boundaries of the site, assess the health of the coral reefs, and enhance the capacity of the community members in coral reef conservation.”
To find out more about C3 and its marine conservation efforts, visithttps://c-3.org.uk/c3-philippines/
