In 2008, the Xavier University - McKeough Marine Center spearheaded the establishment of the Macajalar Bay Development Alliance (MBDA) to implement Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) in one of the most important bays in the Philippines, the Macajalar Bay. The Bay is a major fishing ground in Misamis Oriental of Region 10, Northern Mindanao. It is 50-km wide at the mouth and 30-km long, with an area approximately 1000 km². Further, it is the gateway to Northern Mindanao, with heavy, medium, to light industries, with rapid development and strong coastal migration, threatening the condition of the bay. 

MBDA is composed of the provincial government of Misamis Oriental and 14 coastal local government units (LGUs), namely: Cagayan de Oro City (Chartered), El Salvador City (Component), Alubijid, Balingasag, Binuangan, Jasaan, Kinoguitan, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Opol, Salay, Sugbongcogon, Tagoloan and Villanueva. 

The local chief executives of the member-LGUs sit in the Council, which serves as the highest policy and decision-making body of the alliance. Concurrent to the national elections, the Council elects its Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and the Treasurer which constitute the Executive Committee. The Council also appoints at least its agriculturist, planning and development officers as members to the technical working group (TWG) who closely coordinate with various sectors in the implementation of ICM plan in the Bay. Currently, the MBDA has five TWG components namely: Coastal Law Enforcement, IEC, Habitat and Resource Management, Policies and Good Governance, and Monitoring and Evaluation. The 14 coastal municipalities and cities are further divided into four clusters to identify key issues that need to be addressed and implemented jointly as an alliance. The Program Management Office (PMO) of the MBDA is the main project and program development body, represented by a PMO Manager and 8 officers who also sit as the TWG and Cluster coordinators of the alliance.

The MBDA has been doing its programs and projects in close collaboration with various stakeholders such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine National Police - Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, Mindanao Development Authority, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GiZ, RARE, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia, STEAG Power Inc, Mindanao State University - Naawan, and Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.

Vision

A strong, viable and well-managed alliance implementing genuine, responsive and relevant ecological, social and economic programs, through knowledge building, strengthening empowerment and enhancing good governance with committed officers and staff, ably supported by responsible stakeholders in the conservation, rehabilitation and sustainable development of coastal resources in Macajalar Bay.

Mission

To adopt environmental conservation and management for sustainable development, thus, improving the quality of life of the people in Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao.

Goals

• Capacitate and strengthen its stakeholders to conserve and restore coastal ecosystems as key assets which support human well-being and security in Misamis Oriental; 
• Formulate and implement policies and guidelines on Bay-wide Integrated Coastal Resources Management Plan for the Macajalar Bay with its stakeholders; 
• Install and enhance effective and sustainable mechanisms for coordination between and among member-cities and municipalities; and
• Ensure an integrated and sustainable management of the upland, lowland, river system and coastal resources of the bay including solid waste management (ridge to river approach).

Objectives

• Strengthen the environmental sustainability of coastal development in Macajalar Bay; 
• Promote the investment of funds and effort in coastal ecosystem management and ridge to reef approach; and  
• Empower the stakeholders in the conservation and rehabilitation of each coastal resources. 

Main tasks of the MBDA are:

• Implement integrated coastal management in Macajalar Bay;
• Implement comprehensive law enforcement with key agencies;
• Harmonize fishery ordinances; 
• Capacity enhancement of LGUs and partners in ICM; 
• Monitor and evaluate coastal resources and other ICM-related aspects in the bay; 
• Establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Network;
• Resource Mobilization; and
• Advocate ICM and MPAs