PHILIPPINES, Palaui Island - June 2008
Renovation of Multi-Purpose Hall in exchange for the establishment of a 5,369-acre forest reserve for a duration of 20 years
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Palaui Island is located off the northeastern tip of Luzon. The residents are subsistence farmers and fishers due to limited land available for cultivation. Because of the island's isolation, rich natural resources and the presence of a resource-dependent population, Palaui faces both livelihood and resource protection issues. Palaui is legally protected under the National Integrated Protected Area System Act, passed by Congress in 1992. However, illegal logging and "slash and burn" farming occasionally occur because of the lack of agricultural land, decreasing productivity of the soil and increasing the need to produce food crops for the local population. A community space is needed so that the people can gather, receive and conduct trainings, and carry out livelihood activities. Such a structure had been constructed by the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) for the island community in late 1993, but it has not been maintained over the years, and is presently unusable. In exchange for Seacology funding the renovation of their multi-purpose hall, the Palaui Island community pledges to protect their 5,370-acre forests over the next 20 years. 
UPDATE January 2009 - The project began in October 2008 and is scheduled to be completed in early 2009.
UPDATE June 2009 - As of April 2009 typhoons and rains caused delays in the transportation of building materials to the island, but it is estimated that construction will be done by mid-May 2009, after which the community will begin the process of procuring the solar power system for the structure. The island community continues to look after the island’s forest. So far no poaching has been reported. Also, the Navy, through its outpost in the island, continues to provide support to the locals as they patrol and protect their natural resources.
UPDATE July 2009 - As of July 2009 all concrete work and exterior construction of the building has been completed. The kitchen and bathrooms are completed with indoor plumbing installed. The roof is approximately 70% complete. Work on interior construction including cabinets, shelves and windows as well as electrical system and solar power installation will continue into the latter half of 2009. In April the building was already seeing use for a Protected Area Management Board meeting. There have been no reported incidents of illegal logging on Palaui Island since last year. Entry of outsiders to the island is constantly monitored by the community and unfamiliar boats are inspected for chainsaws or other timber cutting tools. Field representative Ferdie Marcelo reports that there are an increasing number of tourists who visit the island for its natural attractions and that one of the activities offered to them is mangrove planting along the eastern coastline. Thus the area covered by the mangrove reforestation is slowly expanding.
UPDATE December 2009 - As of December 2009 the construction of the building has been completed, along with the solar powered electrical system. In addition to being used for the Protected Area Management Board meetings, the building is also serving as the venue for training in handicraft making (mat and basket weaving).
Indicates full or partial funding by Seacology UK
