MARITIME SECURITY AWARENESS AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION FROM THE LENS OF THE NAVY RESERVISTS

Abstract

This research set out to understand how Navy reservists experience and carry out their roles in protecting the seas and preserving the marine environment, particularly in communities along the Davao Gulf. Through a qualitative approach anchored in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study gathered insights from reservists who are directly involved in addressing maritime threats and environmental issues in their areas. The interviews revealed five recurring themes: a growing sense of maritime security awareness, strong commitment to environmental efforts, shifting and often unclear field roles, gaps in training and institutional backing, and the everyday realities of working with other agencies and local communities. These reservists are not just uniformed volunteers, they act as local guardians, educators, and sometimes even peacebuilders. But their contributions are often held back by unclear mandates, lack of coordination, and limited resources. What came through in this study is the need for real policy support, programs and structures that recognize reservists not as temporary helpers, but as essential players in maritime governance and environmental protection. The research contributes to the discourse on decentralized public administration, advocating for a community-based model of security and environmental preservation where reservists play a vital, yet often underrecognized, role. The proposed PILOTON Framework offers a practical governance model that strengthens institutional support, local engagement, and operational readiness of reservists in coastal areas.