CERD Phased Out in Calbayog, Samar Sea
Mayette April 24th, 2009
A simple ceremony to symbolize CERD’s exit from Calbayog was held last April 20, 2009 in Handumanan Coop Conference Room, Calbayog, Samar. The program started with a recap of CERD’s 12 years of existence in Samar Sea with the formation of Tinambacan Fisherfolk Federation as a major output. This was followed by messages of support from partner local government officials and other groups to the fisherfolk federation who will, from now on, pursue the mission of contributing to the restoration of the coastal environment by themselves. CERD also gave assurance to the fisherfolk federation that consultations would still be possible as CERD still has presence in Northern Samar which is only an hour and a half away from Calbayog.
Highlights of the affair are the turn-over of documents and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement that stipulates each parties’ commitment and support of coastal resource management to be led by TFF. Certificates and Plaques of Appreciation were also handed to key personalities, groups and government officials who were constantly behind CERD and the fisherfolk federation in pursuing the protection and restoration of Samar Sea.
CERD’s 12 Years in Calbayog, Samar
CERD started after the phase out in Maqueda Bay in 1996. It was chosen because it serves as the gateway to Maqueda Bay, which is a major fishing ground in the country. Protecting Samar Sea would further enhance the resource management works in Maueda Bay, and would boost the productivity of the fishing ground.
CERD’s implementation of community-based coastal resource management program in Calbayog led to the following:
a) Coastal Community Organizing and Capability Building:
- Formed 13 people’s organizations with a total membership of 471, with legal personalities (registered with the Department of Labor and Employment)
- The 13 organizations are federated at the city level and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
b) Sustainable Fisheries Development
- Facilitated the establishment of resource management tools:
- 2 has fish sanctuary in 1 barangay
- Coral Reef Network in 3 barangays covering 100 has
- Mangrove reforestation and management covering 8 has in 2 barangays
- Designated Area for Women covering 5 has in 1 barangay
- Reduced incidences of illegal fishing from 3-5 per day to 2-3 per week
c) Socio-Economic and Livelihood Development
- Fish catch increased from 2 kilos per trip to 5-7 kilos per trip
- Provided capital amounting to PhP 800,000 for diversification of livelihood
- Facilitated access to livelihood assistance from government agencies, e.g. Polvoron, Kropek, Rice Trading, etc.
- Developed technology in bottled sardines
- Facilitated vegetable and herbal gardening (1 communal and 37 households from 7 people’s organizations)
d) Advocacy and Linkaging
- Facilitated the inclusion of organizations in different government-mandated special bodies like Barangay Development Council (BDC), Fishery Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC), Local Council for Women, City Development Council, National Anti-Poverty Commission
- Facilitated active participation and leadership of POs in local and national networks like Bantay-Abuso Network (BAN), BUDYONG (a national formation of women’s groups), and Visayas Fisherfolk Council
- Facilitated approval of resolutions and ordinances related to Coastal Resource Management (CRM), e.g. City Fishery Ordinance, Fish Sanctuary, Coral Reef Network
- Facilitated activation of Bantay Dagat throughjoint aprpehensions
- Invited to share resource management experiences in Coastal Zone Asia-Pacific Conference in 2005 in Australia
- CERD and Local Government Unit (LGU) became National Awardee which is a manifestation of strong partnership
e) Gender Fairness
- Recognition of women as fishers
- Active participation of women in organizations, holds key leadership positions
- Recognized capacity of women in resource management through the Designated Area for Women
- Barangay protection Order by the Barangay Council was maximized and helped build awareness of the community against violence against women (VAWC)
- Changes in family relations were noted, e.g. sharing of household responsibilities by men and women improved
In the light of CERD’s exit in Calbayog, some challenges were identified:
- How to sustain active participation of organization members in federation activities
- How to ensure continuous elimination of illegal and destructive fishing
- How to sustain participation of organizations in the local special bodies
- How to ensure continuous support of LGUs to the federation
- Climate Change which continues to threaten the coastal environment in spite of the resource management efforts