Monitoring Sites

Manatuto

Manatuto is a city on the east of Dili and the north coast of Timor-Leste. It is generally flat and low-lying. It is the capital of the Manatuto municipality and is known for salt-making and tamarind.

Site 1 - Uma Caduac
The beach in Manatuto Uma Kaduak is slightly sandy, gravelly, and slightly rocky, depending on the tide. It is a tourist spot and inhabited by the locals.

Coordinates of monitoring site in Uma Caduac

• Latitude: 8°42'00.0" S
• Longitude: 125°55'00.0" E

Site 2 - Uma Boco
Manatuto Uma Boco beach has fine sand and vegetation (vines, shrubs, and trees) along the shoreline. It is not yet inhabited by any community, but the coastal area is used by the locals as a jump off point for fishing activities.

Coordinates of monitoring site in Uma Kaduak

• Latitude: 9.03717°S
• Longitude: 126.08263°T

Partner Institute: UNITAL University

Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Puerto Princesa City is a component city within the island province of Palawan. The entire province was declared a swamp reserve while the City alone is home to a few critical habitats such as Cleopatra Needle and the famous UNESCO heritage site Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. 

Site 1 - Tagbarungis
The Tagbarungis Beach is sandy and slightly dirty white in color. The width between the shoreline and  the edge of the vegetation is at 25 meters. Majority of the vegetation at the back of the beach area is comprised of aroma plants (Acacia farnesiana (Linn.) Willd.) and coconut trees. The monitoring site is adjacent to the Aroma Beach, which is a privately owned beach and rarely visited by beach goers.  There is no observed residential area around the monitoring site. 

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Barangay Tagbarungis

• Latitude: 9° 34’ 16” North
• Longitude: 118° 40’ 48” East

Site 2 - Bantilinao
Situated in the southwestern coast of Puerto Princesa, Bantilinao is a 874-meter stretch of the beach located at Sitio Bantilinao, Bgy. Bagong Bayan. Almost a quarter of the beach was covered with pebbles and/or is rocky, while its majority was sandy. It has rock formation that forms a cove.During high tide, it has an average coast width of approximately 30-45 meters to foredune vegetation. An estuary was adjacent to the monitoring site, where water from the surrounding communities flows during the rainy season. Bantilinao Beach faces the West Philippine Sea. From late January to early June, wind and its associated elements such as the ocean current move in a south-western motion. Thus, it could potentially drift marine litter from countries of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China.

Meanwhile, the wind and ocean current moves in a north-eastern  direction from July to December, with marine litters potentially coming from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries. The area is a known nesting site of sea turtles.

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Sitio Bantilinao

• Latitude: 9.77742 N
• Longitude: 118.52185 E

Partner Institute: Palawan State University

Municipality of Daanbantayan, Cebu

Daanbantanyan is located in the northern part of Cebu Island in the Philippines. It is one of the municipalities located along Tañon Strait, one of the largest marine protected areas in the Philippines and the top marine mammal corridor in the country.

There are two monitoring sites in Daanbantayan – these are in Barangays Maya and Agujo. 

Site 1 - Maya
Barangay Maya is also well-known as the jump-off point for ferry services to Malapascua Island, Leyte, and Masbate. The area is a renowned diving destination famous for its thresher sharks and vibrant marine life. As a hub for island transportation services and a gateway for tourists exploring the northern part of Cebu, it generates a significant volume of waste from tourism related activities.

The monitoring site in Barangay Maya is located near Punta Bulalaki Point. It is characterized by its white sand beach bordered by an uninhabited bushy hill at its back. There is vegetation of different species in the upper part of the beach with a few large beach rocks on it. Some parts of the area are sandy while some parts are both sandy and rocky. The adjacent side of the site is being used by a few fishermen as a dry-docking area for their small boats. This area is straight and open where the water current is free to flow. There is a presence of nearby communities—but not too close to the site.

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Barangay Maya

• Golden Sands (upper part) – Latitude: 110 16.817565’; Longitude: 1240 3.09040’
• Punta Bulalaki (upper part) – Latitude:  110 16.826001’; Longitude: 1240 3.147000’
• Golden Sans (lower part) – Latitude: 110 16.822234’; Longitude: 1240 3.091870’
• Punta Bulalaki (upper part) – Latitude: 110 16.830422’; Longitude: 1240 3.146029’

Site 2 - Agujo
Barangay Agujo’s shoreline is made up of sandy beaches and rocky outcrops that serve as habitats for marine life. The monitoring site is characterized by its long white sand beach with pebbles, and is bounded at the back by spiny Aroma trees.  This is used as a docking site for a few small-scale fishermen in the barangay. There is one makeshift house in the area that serves as a resting place for fishermen and, at the same time, a storage place for boat engines and fishing gear. The area is open for the water current to flow freely. There is no presence of nearby communities. The residential area is far from the site.

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Barangay Agujo

• Malocbaloc (upper part) – Latitude: 110 15.981653’; Longitude: 1230 59.769252’
• Bougainvillea (upper part) – Latitude: 110 16.028291’; Longitude: 1230 59.804456’
• Malocbaloc (lower part) – Latitude: 110 15.989494’; Longitude: 1230 59.765451’
• Bougainvillea (lower part) – Latitude: 110 16.032734’; Longitude: 1230 59.790928’

Partner Institute: Cebu Technological University (Daanbantayan campus)

Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte

Dipolog is one of the cities along the Zamboanga Peninsula, one of the major fishing grounds in the country. There are two monitoring sites in Dipolog City – these are in Barangays Olingan and Sicayab.

Site 1 - Olingan
The monitoring site in Olingan Beach is pebble. The width of the beach from high tide to vegetation is approximately 13 meters. The area is not frequented by the locals and no local residents within the area. 

Coordinates of monitoring site in Barangay Olingan

• Latitude: 8.53661
• Latitude: 123.31367

Site 2 - Sicayab
The monitoring site in Sicayab Beach is sandy. The width of the beach from high tide to the vegetation is approximately 10 meters. The area is under the custody of the local police unit; hence, it is prohibited for locals to visit. 

Coordinates of monitoring site in Barangay Sicayab

• Latitude: 8.57112
• Longitude: 123.34599

Partner Institute: DMC College Foundation, Inc. 

Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

Tandag City is located within a marine key biodiversity area called Lanuza Bay. There are two monitoring sites in Tandag City – these are in Barangays San Agustin Sur and Rosario.

Site 1 - San Agustin Sur
The first monitoring site in Barangay San Agustin Sur is a sandy beach spanning an average width of 15.36 meters from the highest high tide to the vegetation line. Notably, this monitoring site is distanced from both residential areas and river systems. It is approximately 2,010 meters from the Tandag River and 578 meters to the nearest river tributary to the left.

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Barangay San Agustin Sur

• (0m) Latitude: 9°04’56.3N Longitude: 126°10’28.7E 
• (100m) Latitude: 9°04’58N Longitude: 126°10’26E 

Site 2 - Rosario
The second monitoring site in Brgy. Rosario is a sandy beach area with an average width of 36.98 meters from the highest high tide to the vegetation line. The area is not part of the regular clean-up activities of Tandag City. The beach area is also utilized by some residents for swimming and recreation. Notably, this monitoring site is distanced from both residential areas and river systems. It is approximately 3,609 meters from the Tago River and 2,132 meters from the nearest river. This area is also 2,961 meters from the nearest beach resort and 264 meters from nearest settlements.

Coordinates of monitoring site in Barangay Rosario

• (0m) Latitude: 9°02’33.7N Longitude: 126°12’59.2E 
• (100m) Latitude: 9°02’36.3N Longitude: 126°12’57E 

Partner Institute: Northeastern Mindanao State University

Liquica

The monitoring site in Liquica is in Kaitehu, two (2) meters above sea level and on the eastern side of the municipality. The location landscape consists of brown sand with some coastal vegetation cover, e.g., Running Grass Plants and Red Castor Leaves) cover at super-tidal. As observed, solid waste (plastics) are dominant along the beach while there is also the presence of some organic materials such as wood debris from different trees and bamboo. The distance of Keitahu from and during low tide is 30 meters.

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Liquica

• Latitude: S 8033'48.87144
• Longitude: E 125024’32.2657”

Partner institute: National University of East Timor

Dili

The monitoring site in Dili is in Dolok-oan, 29 meters above sea level and is located at the eastern part of the capital. It is approximately 30 minutes by car from the city center. The location is covered by different coastal vegetation such as Running Grass Plants and Red Castor Leaves. Plastic wastes and debris such as tree branches are dominant in the area. The distance from tidal to supra littoral is 21 meters. 

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Dili

• Latitude: S 8031'15.97630”
• Longitude: E 125037’4.55220”

Partner institute: National University of East Timor

Atauro Island

Atauro Island is located in the northern part of Dili, the city capital of Timor-Leste. It is considered a tourism gem with its pristine waters and diverse marine life. It is home to seagrass, mangroves, dugong, dolphins, among others. The Beloi Village is a center of marine transportation and potential marine tourism in the island. Beloi Villages are divided into four sub villages. These are Usubemasu, Arlo, Adara, and Maker. Majority of the locals in Beloi Village are into fishing, seaweed farming, land farming, and some tourism activities. They have a fishing cooperative, homestay association, marine protected area management committee, and the Ekipa Tasi Moos (clean beach group).

There are two designated monitoring sites in the island municipality of Atauro – these are in Leiwaha Akrema and Petenua. 

Site 1 - Leiwaha Akrema
Leiwaha is located in the northern tip of the island. Its distance from municipal proper is 17 kilometers. Akrema is one of the most sought tourist sites because of its white sand beach, casuarina trees, beautiful coral reefs, and reef fish. Akrema is part of the Uaroana sub village and Biqueli Village. Biqueli villages are divided into four sub villages: these are Pala, Iliknamo, Uaroana, and Fatuú. Most of Bequili people are fishers and farmers, including Akrema people. They also have an MPA management Committee who oversees their marine sanctuary.

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Leiwaha Akrema

• 08° 8’ 16’’ S and 125° 38’ 17’’ E
• 08° 8’ 14’’ S and 125° 38’17’’ E
• 08° 8’ 13’’ S and 125° 38’ 17’’ E
• 08° 8’ 16’’ S and 125° 38’ 16’’ E

Site 2 - Petenua Beloi
Petenua is one of the monitoring sites in Atauro Island. It is located in the north of Atauro Municipality. Petenua is part of the Usubemasu area in Beloi Village. The distance of Petenua monitoring site to the municipal proper is 5.5 kilometers. 

Coordinates of monitoring site in Petenua Beloi    

• 08°12’50’’ S and 125° 36’59’’ E
• 08°11’12’’ S and 125° 37’ 19’’ E
• 08°12’50’’ S and 125° 36’ 50’’ E
• 08°12’48’’ S and 125° 36’ 52’’ E

Partner Institute: Roman Louan

Calbayog City, Samar

Site 1 - Carayman
The first monitoring site in Calbayog City is located in Barangay Carayman. The beach is also known for its name as Naga Beach. It has predominantly fine, light brown sand. The texture is mostly smooth, but there are patches where debris is scattered, indicating a mixture of natural and anthropogenic materials. The beach's elevation is 3.52 meters above sea level, indicating it is relatively close to the waterline and susceptible to tidal influences.

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Barangay Carayman

• Latitude: 12.05139
• Longitude: 124.63736

Site 2 - Malajog
The second monitoring site is located in Barangay Malajog, Tinambacan District in Calbayog City. The beach has a varied composition of sand and pebbles. The sand is predominantly light brown to grayish, suggesting a mixture of fine and coarse grains. Scattered among the sand are pebbles and organic debris like leaves. This mix is indicative of a dynamic environment where tidal actions and terrestrial runoff bring in materials from both the sea and the land.The beach is relatively narrow from the high tide line to the vegetation and structures. A substantial concrete sea wall runs along the left side, limiting the natural spread of the sand and serving as a protective barrier.

Coordinates of the monitoring site in Barangay Malajog

• Latitude: 12.10771
• Longitude: 124. 4830

Partner Institute: Northwest Samar State University