CERD Blog 2009

Mayette June 23rd, 2008

Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
Ladies in Unity with Men Onward to Development (LUMOT-Dev)
(Originally written in Filipino from Women Managed Area – Pamamahala ng Kababaihan ng Pangisdaan, a publication of BUDYONG-Pinagbuklod na Lakas ng Kababaihan sa Pangisdaan (PLKP) with assistance from Oxfam Great Britain) For more information email budyong.women@yahoo.com.ph.

Introduction
The Ladies in Unity with Men Onward to Development (LUMOT-Dev) was formed through CERD in 1996 and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1998. Initially CERD’s plan was to form organizations in barangay proper only, but the women in the island of Sito Mahaba were determined to have their own separate organization in the sitio, since it is difficult for them to frequently travel to the mainland to participate in organizational activities. Hence the Ladies United Movement Onward to Development was formed.

The men eventually gained interest in the activities of the women; they participated and joined the organization so the name was changed to its present form.
LUMOT-Dev had come a long way as an organization. They manage the 19-hectare fish sactuary in Mahaba. 2 families are scheduled every night to guard the fish sanctuary. Scheduled guarding is by families to ensure that both men and women have a role in the management of the fish sanctuary. Several community services are also managed by LUMOT-Dev like the electricity from generator and potable water projects. There is also a patrol boat that brings children to school, subsidized by the organization especially during lean months. The beta house shows movies every night and income from this project is used by the organization as funds for fisheries management.

Tago Mahaba Islet
The small island Tago Mahaba is rich in marine resources like corals, mangroves, seagrass, and different kinds of shells and fish. During high tide, only the mangroves are visible but during low tide, the women, children and men gather fish and other marine products in the area.

Objectives
1. To protect and manage the important marine resources used by the women in Hinatuan Bay.
2. To showcase women’s capacity to manage the fisheries.
3. To pilot the closed-open season for the Sitio Mahaba fisheries.

Fisheries Management by the Women
The implementation plan for the WMA was proposed by LMOT-Dev to the municipal federation, which the latter adopted and included in the federation’s plan. Led by the WMA Committee formed by LUMOT-Dev, stakeholders’ analysis and participatory researches were conducted in Tago Mahaba. The urgency to protect the area was validated as there was no existing plan for the sustainable use of the area. Support was generated from the Municipal Agriculture Officer for the proposal, and lobbying with MFAMC (Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council) was also done.
Meanwhile, even before LUMOT-Dev could implement its management plan, a petition letter was circulated in the community to oppose the management of Tago Mahaba and was submitted to the barangay council. The leader of the petition letter had a history of opposing every move by the organization geared towards protection of the coastal and marine resources of Mahaba. Because of this petition, the barangay council decided to approve the proposed Women-Managed Area not in Tago Mahaba but inside the fish sanctuary instead.
Implementation of the management plan was further delayed by the municipal and barangay elections. There was also incidence of deliberate destruction of the pipes of the water project managed by the organization. A person claiming to own a huge part of the island sitio also posed problem to the organization with her plan to build a resort. The said person previously applied for fishpond lease to drive the people away from the island but the application was disapproved. She is now renewing her campaign to own a portion of Mahaba island.
Nevertheless, the women continuously generate support for the management of the WMA. They had the banca for the monitoring of the WMA and fish sanctuary repaired. They explain through focus group discussions the importance of managing Tago Mahaba. They taught Resource Ecological Assessment to the youth. Because of this, the youth now recognizes the importance of the coastal and marine resources in their area.

Summary: Leadership of the Women in the Management of the Coastal and Marine Resources
· Stakeholder Analysis to eventually generate support of the different stakeholders
· Analyzing the status of Tago Mahaba and effects of the lack of management on the community and the women
· House-to-house campaign to explain and generate support of the community for the management of Tago Mahaba
· Coordination with the barangay officials, MFARMC and MAO
· Training the youth on resource monitoring

Changes
On Women
· Capability to facilitate researches on resource status
· Capability to face petitions opposing the management of coastal and marine resources
· Leadership in planning and management of women-managed area

On Men
· Support to their wives, like taking on household work
· Supportive in the objective to manage the coastal and marine resources where the community and the women depend on for livelihood

On Fisheries Management
Broadened scope of fisheries management, not only on fish sanctuary, but also on areas used by women.

• Fisheries and Environment , Women and Gender
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