ENRM 244: COASTAL ANTHROPOLOGY

1​st​ Semester 2016-2017

Name: ​VICTOR B. MEDRANO FMA 1

ID No.: 2015-30695 Date submitted: September 23, 2016

COMMUNITY PROFILE: COACO BEACH, BRGY. HIZON, DAVAO CITY

INTRODUCTION:

Compared to some countries in the Southeast Asia, the Philippines is surrounded by deep
waters ranging from 2,000 meters to 4,000 meters. Its shallow waters are relatively narrow and
close to shore. However, with its more than 7,000 island the country is supported by large
productive areas of diverse marine ecosystems which provide shore protection and nutrient
cycling as well as valuable goods.

Indeed, our country is one big coastal community of more than 70 million people. The
country’s coastline stretches to more than 18,000 kilometres and its coastal water cover an area
of 266,000 square kilometres. Seventy percent of its more than 1,500 municipalities are located
in coastal area, which is home to millions of people for whom the sea is nothing but ordinary and
often little understood.

But time is not on the coastal community’s side: Overfishing, over-exploitation and
pollution are putting tremendous strain on Philippine coastal resources, resulting in loss of
fishery habitats, water quality and various types of marine life from corals to seagrasses to
fisheries. Already vulnerable to natural phenomena such as typhoons, cyclones and coastal
storms, coastal communities are facing even greater risk from all kinds of unmanaged and
potentially harmful human activities.
OBJECTIVE:

That is why this community profiling is formulated to address some concerns in some
selected coastal communities. Concerns that is subjective and objective in nature. By means of
observation and proper communication, the reporter aims to gather pertinent information that
would aid in creating sustainable livelihood and strategies in the future.
The reporter selected Coaco Beach and its near-by coastal community that is located in
the Barangay Vicente Hizon, Sr., Sasa, Davao City.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION:

Barangay Vicente Hizon Sr. is strategically located in the Second Congressional District
of Davao City. It is bounded on the North by the Davao International Airport runway, Barangay
Alfonso Angliongto Sr. and Barangay Lapu-Lapu in the West, coastline of the Davao Gulf in the
south. It is about seven kilometres away from downtown area of Davao and is accessible by all
means of land transportation. Barangay Hizon derived its name from the scions of a prominent,
landed family considered to be one of the original settlers in the area.

​Fig. 1: Map of Brgy. Vicente Hizon Sr ​Source: Google Map

 ​The coastal community selected is the Coaco Beach in the coastlines of Barangay Vicente
Hizon Sr. fronting the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS). Coaco Beach was a popular
beach destination among the locals here in Davao City. In terms of landscape, the coastal zones
can be described as almost even with a slope ranges from 0%-3%. Of the total 212 hectare land
area of the baranagay is fringed with flat land elevation description. As of 2015 actual population
count, Sasa area, where Barangay Hizon is situated is inhabited by 52, 386 locals, who are highly
conversant in Filipino, English and native dialects.

With minimal exposure to the public, the target area of this profiling may be quite

difficult to assess. However, the local community in this area has long sustained livelihood in

their coastal territory. Situated near Brgy. Hizon, Davao City, is a beach called Coaco Beach.

Travelling to Sasa or Panacan, one may have passed by the entryway leading to the area

mentioned, possibly all the time without noticing it.

Years before, Coaco beach has catered families who wish to experience the seawaters at a

cheap price, if not for free. However though, due to the residential community that is situated

there, the waters are deemed unclean because of daily wastes that somehow pollute the area. As

observations like this are shared by many, Coaco beach is less visited by the public more and

more. Coaco beach, as of today, is considered as a squatter’s area. The community that stayed

within the parameters of the coast has built expansions of their homes, like stores, basic grillers,

and fishing docks to appeal to remaining visitors and make a living out of it. However, though

these expansions contribute to the daily earnings of the people in the community, fishing remains

to be their main livelihood. Depending on their catch, shall be the amount of fish they can sell –

if unfortunate to catch only a dozen or less, it may only be enough to feed their families.
 Physically, Coaco beach is far less civilized than the beaches we see in IGACOS.
Needless to say, of course, it’s because those beaches have already been commercialized.
Looking at the perimeter and sizing up the potential infrastructure that can be built in the area,
Coaco beach is a great place to situate yet another resort. Right now, the tables, chairs and
roofing are made up of unfurnished wood and coco lumber – it’s getting brittle by prolonged
water contact. The sand is neither grand nor exceptional, but nonetheless warm and cozy with its
grey hue and fine texture. A number of trees are visible within the area, enough to shade one or
two spots when it gets really hot. Right now, they also have a potential function hall, where they
stage performances during events like Flores de Mayo and Christmas parties. The electricity
usage of the community is quite limited – occasionally, they still use lamplights fueled with gas
to light their evenings. Most people travel from the highway to the beach either by foot or
motorcycle, especially during the night.

Most of the occupants in Coaco beach didn’t reach college in their years due to financial

constraints. Some had families at an early age. Most of the residents are used to how things work

in the vicinity – humble livelihood with enough earnings. As fishing is their livelihood, fathers

teach their sons how to fish too. This adds to the workforce or manpower of the community. Still

so, a lot can still be done to improve the way things work in this community.

In terms of cleanliness, a potential community clean up may be necessary which concerns

the people’s optimum health. As exposed to oil wastes that may come from the spills of the

nearby ships, in addition to the daily wastes and garbage they encounter, a medical check-up is

also necessary.
 As the community is quite far from the highway, though of a walking distance, a festive
entrance is sure to captivate customers. But first, the road should be cemented as it is rocky for
now. A mini restaurant can also be put up overlooking the ships that dock near the coastal
parameters of Coaco Beach. As the occupants of the community turns out to be the offsprings of
the offsprings of the residents before, a cozy set-up with a familial feel can be a good idea for a
renovation, without compromising so much of what has already been put up.

OBSERVATION/ANALYSIS:

By inquisitive facts and figures about the said community. I wanted to establish on
improving some fisheries management as well as helping the community in convalescing strong
actions regarding coastal cleanup. I believe that all the learning from this subject will make a
difference on improving my target community and put an emphasis on Coastal Resource
Management, that together with the gathered information and the help of the local government,
may it provide basic services and a capacity in managing marine and coastal ecosystems for
everyone’s benefit. Thus, in this simple I can gain knowledge about their culture and traditions
with regards to their coastal life and the same way, they will profit new understanding, skills and
methods on the lecture I will provide shortly after this proposal.

References:

Google Map (2014). ​Barangay Hizon Hall Road​. Retrieved from

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Barangay+Hizon+Hall/@7.7329188,124.9641393,1
83920m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x32f96c1f1b9b8577:0x1c52fcaa28cfb60b!8m2!3d
7.1113803!4d125.649771?hl=en

One Ocean (2001). “Managing Philippine Coasts and Seas: Understanding the Challenge.”
Philippine Coastal Management Guidebook Series No.1​. Retrieved from
<​http://oneocean.org/flash/the_philippine_seas.html​>
Philippine Statistics Authority (2015). “Population of Region XI- Davao”. Retrieved from
<​https://psa.gov.ph/content/population-region-xi-davao-based-2015-census-population​>