School: Bayugan National Comprehensive High School
    Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, Philippines

20 students, ages 13-17 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 16, 2013. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2013

Classes and Teachers: Mr. Manuel O. Caberte, FYRO, SPJ-3, SPJ-1, Einstein 2013, ESEP-3, ESEP-2, ESEP-1

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://

1. Description of Our Community

Caraga is located in the northeastern region of Mindanao. The school (BNCHS) is located in Agusan del Sur, a landlocked province in the region. The coral transplantation was conducted at Surigao del Sur, a coastal province bordering Agusan del Sur in the east. Economic growth of this province is attributed to tourism and fisheries. During the past years, the fish in Hinatuan Bay, Surigao del Sur declined in amount. Several reasons for this are illegal coral farming, coral bleaching, muro-ami and blast fishing.

2. Summary of Our Project

As a maritime nation, the Philippines must take actions in restoring its damaged marine environment. One solution to the problem that our marine ecosystem is facing today is the coral reef restoration. The project “A Movement in Unison: Key to Save Ocean Wildlife” serves as the first stage of the answer to the problem. It has two main parts: coral transplantation and environmental awareness seminar. The former is a process done by getting coral fragments from donor corals and transplanting them to substrates. Survivorship of the transplants will contribute to the rehabilitation of coral reefs in Hinatuan Bay and will give a truthful sense of hope to the nation’s desire in restoring its marine biodiversity. The latter educates us and increase our sense of environmental ownership for it is important in preserving the natural beauty of our marine environment. Protection of marine life is not entirely a government duty. It’s everyone’s responsibility.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:21-50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:not sure

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:4-6

E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):

Internet access is slow at school and home. Computers at school are also slow.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

The everyday power outage is the worst problem one can imagine when dealing with computers and internet. We almost lost hope in doing this project since the blackout has no proper schedule and we can not set a proper time to upload and finalize the output.

There was also a time that we did not follow the schedule because students were so busy in their class in final exams, requirements, clearances and other stuff. One time, we lost our photo documents and had a hard time regaining such important documents. Some student quit in the middle part. They were a bit pessimist about the output. Also there was a time that student fought with co-members because of misunderstandings.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Despite the power outage and limited internet connectivity, we uphold our dedication to our advocacies of [1] enhancing our marine environment through coral transplantation and [2] educating our fellow citizens through traditional and modern campaigns on the importance of environmental ownership.

6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

This Cybefair project supports the emphasis of the school in promoting research among the students and in-line with the goals of fostering life-long environment-conscious learners. This is also an application of the the subject, Environmental Science.

The study is an important endeavor in restoring the quality and natural beauty of the marine ecosystem in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by increasing the marine biodiversity in the area and improving the quality of environment for present and future generations through coral transplantation.

Knowing that protecting the rehabilitated site will not be successful without the citizens’ help, awareness of the problem is needed to start a change. Awareness campaign on coral importance educates citizens to start caring. It aims to expand people’s knowledge and awareness on the social and environmental benefits of coral reefs, as well as various issues influencing coral survival.

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?

This project harnesses a powerful tool, the internet. Through traditional and social media campaigns, we can encourage people to help in the restoration of coastal resources and coral reefs. The campaign is a series of activities such as seminar-lecture, school-to-school campaign, poster-putting and going online in social networking sites. Social media played an important role in file-and information-sharing. E-mails played an important role in immediate transferring of formal communications and notices. Cellular phones were the easiest way to coordinate activities. Cameras were used in the documentation process. The lack of underwater camera has led to the improvised use of camera and cellular cameras.

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.

Permission to transplant coral fragments on the Fish Sanctuary of San Juan was sought from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Hinatuan which manages the area. The officials of Barangay San Juan were contacted. The barangay provided site assistance. Meanwhile, the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development (CERD) lent snorkels, fins, among other gears to be used for the skinny diving. With the technical knowledge and experience on coral transplantation of Mr. Manuel O. Caberte, the project was planned and carried out successfully.

The campaign awareness programs are headed by different members. We also tapped the Filipino Youth Research Organization to support our advocacy and ask for guidance in creating the website.

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

The first environmental campaign seminar conducted was in the local barangay. Now, the villagers are helping in monitoring the coral fragments. Several small awareness campaigns were done back in our locality. After each campaign, many students have asked to come and help in the coral restoration project. This is a good sign that we are achieving our second goal of educating our fellow citizens and raising their sense of environmental ownership.

Being a maritime nation, the Philippines, including many residents of Hinatuan rely on marine ecosystems for food and livelihood. And coral reefs play a vital role in the survival of marine creatures. The success of this study will be a great help in increasing the biodiversity of underwater life, especially in the area where coral diversity is in decline. The impact of this project increases as time goes by.

The outcome of this coral transplantation study as a means of coral reef restoration may be used for future studies in other areas. The survivability of the coral fragments in the substrate will be of great interest to researcher conducting similar studies in other locations.

The school students were exposed to team-building experiences such as organizing events, among others. In the long run, the beneficiaries will include the residents, the student- researchers, other interested researchers and the government.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

The support of Local Government Unit of Hinatuan has been an important factor in this project. The Center for Empowerment and Resource Development (CERD) lent the diving gears for free. The Bayugan National Comprehensive High School faculties were also very supportive. To the Filipino Youth Research Organization and its active members, we highly looked up at you. The residents of Barangay San Juan are notable for their very accommodating and cooperative attitude. We also would like to specially thank the officials of the barangay.