The Technical Team of the Coastal Resource and Foreshore Management Section (CRFMS) of Conservation and Development Division (CDD) together with the representatives from the Surveys and Mapping Division (SMD), Enforcement Division (ED), Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Albay conducted a 2-week Protected Area Suitability Assessment (PASA) at Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay on February 8-19, 2021.

The assessment covered the fourteen (14) barangays within the Cagraray Island, which are under the Proclamation No. 2152. The Proclamation No. 2152 declares the entire Palawan and certain parcels of the public domain and/or parts of the country as Mangrove Swamp Forests Reserves. All the identified aggregate areas are subject to future ground survey and delimitation, for conservation and protection purposes by reason of their ecological, scientific, educational and recreational values, including flora and fauna and marine life found therein and other values.

Aside from the Habitat Assessment conducted, which focuses on Mangroves and Rapid Assessment of corals and seagrasses, the Socio-Economic Survey Tool (SES) and the Key-Informant Interview (KII) were also conducted. The SES and KII is aimed at knowing the status of the ecological, biological and cultural status of the area. Key informants include barangay officials and representatives from different sectors such as youth, elderlies, religious sector, academe, fisherfolks and women organizations.

PASA aims to evaluate the suitability of the identified area for inclusion under the National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 1992 (NIPAS) following the criteria and objectives in the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2008-26 and the existing guidelines and procedure set by the Department.