Inter-local bay alliances in Northern Mindanao, Philippines: Experiences and lessons learned in establishment and organisational sustainability

Three alliances for bay management in Northern Mindanao region --- Gingoog Bay Alliance, Macajalar Bay Development Alliance, and Iligan Bay Alliance in Misamis Occidental--- were examined if critical legal, institutional, and financial factors to ensure organisational sustainability were present. Data were from key informant interviews and secondary sources. Results showed that the alliances have a common purpose (coastal resource rehabilitation and poverty alleviation) and geographical base (bay), relied mostly on member contributions for funds, and their members were bound by legal contracts. Their reported accomplishments were strengthened coastal law enforcement, establishment of marine protected areas, conduct of resource mapping, and formulation of harmonised fisheries code. The two key issues were weak contracts and insufficient funds. For sustainability, the alliances need to focus on what they can deliver that matches their available resources, to establish a governance structure with sufficient power and control to make alliance operations work effectively, and to adopt a financial arrangement that is feasible and legally approved.