The ASEAN ENMAPS Project seeks to transition from fragmented, site-based Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) toward functionally connected MPA networks that sustain fisheries, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods across Large Marine Ecosystems. In the Philippines, this transition is particularly urgent given the high ecological value and increasing pressures across the five selected sites, namely: Agoo–Damortis Protected Landscape and Seascape (ADPLS), Bani-Bolinao-Burgos-Infanta-Dasol-Agno (BBBIDA) Marine Protected Area Network, Ticao–Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS), Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP), and the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (TIWS). While baseline information exists, critical gaps persist in integrated, decision-oriented datasets, particularly those that explicitly link ecological condition, fisheries dependence, and community and resource users’ vulnerabilities to climate and socio-economic stressors.
The consultancy shall maximise existing datasets and assessments produced by relevant national agencies, including the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), ensuring that new analyses complement rather than duplicate previous efforts.
Current management plans may be insufficiently responsive to climate risks, livelihood pressures, and governance constraints, limiting their effectiveness in sustaining fisheries and ecosystem services. The conduct of updated habitat and coastal-marine resource assessments and threat mapping remain essential to establish a strong ecological baseline. However, ecological assessments alone cannot capture the differentiated vulnerability of fishing communities and resource users, which ultimately determines compliance, resilience, and sustainability outcomes.
To address this, the consultancy will incorporate structured vulnerability assessments (e.g., VA-TURF, Fish Vool, or equivalent methodologies) as a core analytical component. These approaches enable:
- Evaluate the vulnerability of coral reef, seagrass and mangrove ecosystems, and each of the sectors (e.g., artisanal fishers, women, Indigenous Peoples) in the selected study sites to climate and socio economic stressors;
- Analysis of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of fisheries and coastal livelihoods;
- Mapping of tenure systems/ territorial use rights for fisheries (TURFs), access rights, and dependence
on specific ecosystems, habitats, or species; and - Integration of climate risks (e.g., coral bleaching, storm impacts, shifting fish stocks) into planning.
Results from these studies will directly inform the improvement and enhancement of the zoning decisions, fisheries management measures, livelihood diversification strategies, and enforcement prioritisation.
The participatory multi-stakeholder processes will therefore be expanded to include community-based vulnerability diagnostics, ensuring that management plans are grounded in both ecological and socio-economic realities. This aligns with UNDP SES requirements and strengthens Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)
processes by making consultations more analytical and yet grounded, and decision-oriented rather than procedural.
The third component, which is the presentation to stakeholders and pertinent governance bodies and iterative validation, becomes even more critical in this context. Vulnerability findings, particularly those relating to fisheries, tenure rights, and climate risk, often have direct policy implications, including zoning trade-offs, restrictions on fishing effort, prioritisation of enforcement areas, and safety nets and provisions for support for affected communities.
By engaging PAMBs, LGUs, and national agencies in reviewing both ecological and vulnerability analyses, the process ensures that management plans are politically informed, socially acceptable, and feasible and practical under existing governance conditions.
When combined, these approaches can strengthen governance:
Science (Ecology + Fisheries + Vulnerability) → Stakeholder co-production → Governance Uptake
This integrated approach reflects the ASEAN ENMAPS framework, where multi-dimensional assessments
(ecological, socio-economic, institutional, and vulnerability) inform MPA network design and management planning.
Implementation of this activity across five Philippine sites aims to:
- Strengthen the science and socio-economic basis of MPA and MPA network planning;
- Improve the climate resilience of fisheries and coastal communities;
- Enable targeted, equitable management interventions;
- Reduce conflict by aligning conservation measures with livelihood realities and tenure systems;
- Support national commitments to GBF Target 3 (30×30) and climate adaptation priorities.
Scope of Work
- Conduct Resource Assessments and Threat Mapping. This activity involves undertaking field-based assessments of (i) Coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves; and (ii) fisheries resources and exploitation patterns, conducting spatial threat mapping using GIS and other remote sensing tools, and identifying critical habitats, ecological linkages, and priority intervention zones. Threat mapping shall be informed through consultation with relevant enforcement agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police Maritime Group (PNP Maritime Group), and other appropriate enforcement institutions, to validate spatial threats, enforcement issues, and illegal activities. Where feasible, the Consultancy Firm shall develop Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps integrating ecological sensitivity, coastal resources, and priority protection areas to support spatial planning, emergency response, and management decision making.
- Conduct Vulnerability Assessments. This activity involves the application of methodologies such as VA TURF, Fish-Vool, or similar frameworks to assess fisheries vulnerability across three dimensions: exposure to climate and environmental stressors, sensitivity based on dependence on fisheries and resources, and adaptive capacity, including livelihood options and governance support. It involves mapping fisheries dependence and effort distribution, tenure and access systems (such as TURFs), and identifying the vulnerability of sectors like small-scale fishers, women, and Indigenous Peoples. Using participatory, community-level assessments, the process ensures local insights are captured and integrates these findings with ecological and fisheries data to support informed and inclusive planning. The assessment shall also include a stocktaking and synthesis of existing coastal vulnerability studies, including those undertaken by the MGB, to avoid duplication, establish baseline conditions, and strengthen the analysis of climate and coastal hazards.
- Facilitate Participatory Multi-Stakeholder Processes. This component focuses on designing and implementing consultations, workshops, and writeshops to support participatory planning processes. It applies a range of methodologies, including PCRA or perception mapping, socio-economic monitoring, and vulnerability and risk assessments, to generate well-rounded insights. The process ensures inclusive participation from key stakeholders such as local government units, fishers, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth, while adhering to FPIC requirements where applicable. It also integrates SESA findings and aligns with UNDP Social and Environmental Standards (SES). All outputs are then consolidated into draft enhanced management
- Support Governance Review and Plan Finalization. The Consultancy Firm is expected to present integrated ecological and vulnerability findings to key stakeholders, including PAMBs, and relevant project bodies such as the PMU, NIU, SLTWG, and NTWG. Through an iterative process of review and validation, it facilitates stakeholder engagement in refining results and building consensus. The process supports evidence-based decision-making on zoning, fisheries management measures, and climate adaptation strategies. Concise policy briefs highlighting key findings, recommended policy actions, and priority management interventions for consideration by PAMBs, LGUs, DENR-BMB, and other relevant agencies shall be prepared. Final outputs must be packaged into actionable recommendations to enhance MPA management plans, including the core components
Qualifications
The following are the requirements and qualifications for the consultancy:
- Must be a duly recognised Philippine institution/organisation that’s permitted to carry out consultancy and research services
- At least seven years’ experience in environmental and socio-ecological assessments, including but not limited to vulnerability and threat mapping, resource inventory, climate risk and impact analysis, and application of relevant tools such as VA-TURF, Fish-Vool, or similar frameworks
- Proven track record in marine conservation and fisheries management, particularly in the design,
assessment, or management of MPAs and/or MPA networks in the Philippines - Experience on the use of GIS, spatial modelling tools, and analysis is preferred
- Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, local government units, and coastal
communities, with strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and participatory planning skills - Strong understanding of Philippines coastal and marine ecosystems and interrelated governance
frameworks - Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and deliver high-quality outputs in complex and dynamic environments
- Familiarity with ASEAN regional frameworks, the role of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and
relevant multilateral environmental agreements is an advantage
Interested firms may obtain further information from the ACB Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat and may download the Terms of Reference and the Consultant’s Pre-Qualification Form on the ACB website.
Applicants should prepare the following and send all to acb-bac@aseanbiodiversity.org:
- Letter of Intent of no more than two pages addressed to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) through the BAC Secretariat, elaborating how their qualifications and experiences make them qualified for the position Consultancy Firm – Integrated Resource and Vulnerability Assessments and Stakeholder Consultations to Enhance MPA and MPAN Management Plans should be indicated in the aforesaid letter;
- Accomplished Consultant’s Pre-qualification Form.
Deadline for submission of completed application is on 6 August 2026 Only applications with complete
documentary requirements will be processed. Applications received beyond this date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be given due notice.
