Project BAHURA in Marinduque

The Rotary Club of San Mateo launched Project BAHURA (Building Artificial Habitats for Underwater Resource Advancement) in Poctoy, Torrijos, Marinduque on January 27, 2026. This project aims to restore degraded coral reef areas by establishing artificial coral habitats that promote marine biodiversity, protect coastal communities, and support sustainable livelihoods through community-based marine conservation.

Torrijos lies in a coral triangle, but many reefs are degraded due to typhoons, bleaching, and destructive fishing. Artificial habitats help reefs recover faster after storms and climate-related damage. It is also ideal for the shallow to mid-depth coastal water in Poctoy, Torrijos, Marinduque. This artificial habitat serves as fish sanctuaries thereby supporting small-

scale fishermen in the community. It will also enhance marine protected areas and barangay- led conservation efforts.

Project BAHURA is a joint project of the Torrijos Local Government and the Rotary Club of San Mateo in cooperation with the Barangay Poctoy officials, the Torrijos Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), as well as the Marinduque Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), in coordination with the study of the Department of Science and Technology who identified the proper area for which this project will be implemented.

The project is aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus such as:

- Environmental protection: The project will restore reef ecosystems, increase marine biodiversity, and strengthens climate resilience.

- Community Development: This will support coastal livelihoods through improved fisheries and eco-tourism opportunities.

- Youth and Education: This will serve as a hands-on learning site for students and volunteers (like Rotarians) on marine conservation.

- Sustainability: This will encourage stewardship of marine resources through community participation and long-term mentoring.

More than twenty (20) Rotarians from the Rotary Club of San Mateo travelled from Rizal to the Island of Marinduque via RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) ship. Before the planting of corals took place, the club likewise met with 40 fishermen in the area and distributed long sleeve shirts, headlights, and life vests with whistles for use in their livelihood, as well as tools they can

use in helping monitor and ensure the continuity of Project BAHURA.

The local government had initially planted corals in Poctoy last November but needed partners to sustain the project.

That is where the club came in, providing more artificial habitats for the coral. The volunteer Rotarians helped in planting the corals in the artificial habitats provided by the club and also visited the site where these habitats were planted in the sea along the coast of Poctoy beach.

The club will provide more of these artificial habitats in the coming months.