Collaborative strategies for fisheries management: Institute of Social Order's role in community empowerment

Collaboration With Government for Training at the Local Level: Bureau of Fisheries And Management (March 2023)

 

In order to manage fisheries in the West Philippine Sea, the government—more especially, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)—cooperates with the Institute of Social Order (ISO), a member of the Panatag Organization. 

The Department of Agriculture-BFAR, represented by Director Demosthenes Escoto, and the Pangingisda Natin Gawing Tama (PaNaGaT) Network, represented by Dinna Umengan, PaNaGaT's National Convener and Executive Director of Tambuyog Development Center, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 7 March 2023. Along with ISO, who was represented by Samantha Poblete, other PaNaGaT members were also in attendance, including Rare Philippines, which was represented by Dennis Calvan. 

The objective of this collaboration is to improve the ability of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs) and local government units (LGUs) to manage fisheries, specifically by implementing contemporary technology. 

The PaNaGaT Network and its partners trained local fishery managers on the municipal catch documentation and traceability system (MCDTS) and vessel monitoring mechanism (VMM) in the beginning, with financing assistance from DA-BFAR and the Rosa-Luxemburg Stiftung (RLS). The best practices for using these technologies were presented in these training sessions, along with the standards and advantages of putting such systems in place for the conservation of fishing resources. 

In several coastal areas, a technology readiness assessment (TRA) was conducted to determine the kinds of support that LGUs require. Pandan, Antique, was deemed to be the best site for VMM implementation, scoring 45%, whereas Libertad, Antique, had a 75% MCDTS score. Further advancements will be made to strengthen LGU capacities in anticipation of these developments based on the TRA outcomes.

On International Mangrove Day, ISO Highlights Local Involvement in Mangrove Conservation (July 2022)

Staff from the Institute of Social Order (ISO) visited Siruma, Camarines Sur, on 26 July 2022, International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, to provide input on the findings of the Participatory Vulnerability, Capacity Needs, Resource, and Ecological Assessment.

This occasion highlighted how important it is for local people to protect mangroves, which are an essential component of their ecology.

Mangroves, such as the Avicennia marina, are vital for coastal defense, biodiversity, and livelihood support. The Siruma community's involvement and knowledge are vital in maintaining these ecosystems. This partnership is a testament to ISO's dedication to supporting long-term, neighborhood-based environmental preservation initiatives.

ISO Conducts Validation and Community Feedback in Brgy. Siruma, Bahao (July 2022)

Only 27 July 2022, in Brgy, the Institute of Social Order (ISO) held a community feedback and validation session. Siruma, Bahao, Camarines Sur, as a component of the first PVCNA-REA project. A draft map of each barrio was examined and improved by the locals, who added information and made revisions to guarantee its accuracy. The goal of ISO is to enable sustainable and community-led development, and this participatory approach empowers the community in the planning process.

ISO Gathers Input from the Community in Siruma, Camarines Sur (July 2023)

The Institute of Social Order (ISO) presented the findings of the December Vulnerability Capacity Needs Assessment and Resource Ecological Assessment at a community feedback event in Siruma, Camarines Sur, in July, 2023.  Members of ISO's Research and Programs Division and community organizers from the area went back to Barangays Bahao, Boboan, Salvacion, and Vito. The feedback session included women, youth, farmers, fishermen, and representatives from the Barangay Local Government Units (BLGU), Barangay Health Workers (BHW), and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS).

Through this partnership, the community's perspectives will always be at the forefront of development and environmental initiatives.

Forest Foundation Philippines and ISO Work Together to Conserve Mangroves in Siruma (Oct 2022)

Through the "Strengthening Mangrove Management Project" in Siruma, Camarines Sur, the Institute of Social Order (ISO), in collaboration with Forest Foundation Philippines, is demonstrating its ongoing dedication to mangrove conservation. This program aids community-based organizations in their endeavors to preserve and oversee essential mangrove habitats.

40% of the intended 37,079 seedlings had been successfully produced as of October 2022; many of them had already been outplanted. Notable advancements have been made in the upkeep of species like *Avicennia marina* and *Rhizophora*, which are housed at the Gayon Park nursery.

A conversation with local fisherfolk organizations was also organized by ISO and Forest Foundation Philippines, with an emphasis on achieving government compliance requirements including those from the Bureau and enhancing financial management.

ISO Takes Part in Strategic Collaboration Learning Session on ZEP2030 (November 2022)

The Association of Foundations (AF) organized a virtual learning session on 15 November 2022, with the Institute of Social Order (ISO) and other local conveners. Titled "Bridging and Building Strategic Collaborations in ZEP2030 Communities," the event aimed to promote cooperation among local partners in addressing extreme poverty through the Zero Extreme Poverty 2030 (ZEP2030) Movement.

Presenting efforts and profiles of poverty from different locations like La Union, Bukidnon, Quezon City, and Eastern Samar were ISO's Director, Ateneo de Manila Associate Professor of Sociology  Liza Lim and the other convenors. These talks demonstrated how regional efforts add to the overall effect of reducing poverty and emphasized chances for cooperation amongst interested parties.

About the Institute of Social Order

Esteemed professors from the Ateneo de Manila University and respected members of the Society of Jesus comprise the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Social Order (ISO). This highlights the strong connection between the institute and the university, as well as their shared commitment to the Jesuit mission. Dr. Fabian Antonio M. Dayrit, the board chairman, is the esteemed dean at Ateneo de Manila University's School of Science and Engineering. Additional members of the group include Jesuits like Fr. Patrick Dominador Z. Falguera, S.J., and the Board Treasurer, Fr. Noel D. Vasquez, S.J. Primitivo E. Viray, Jr., S.J., Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus Philippine Province, who holds a significant role within the Jesuit society and university. This composition emphasizes the importance of aligning ISO's operations with the values of social justice, education, and service.

For more information, kindly visit the ISO website and the ISO Facebook page

Sources:
Technology Readiness Assessment of 34 coastal municipalities
May 31 is National Fisherfolk's Day
July 26 is International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
PVCNA-REA Community Feedbacking and Validation
Community Feedbacking - Siruma, Camarines Sur
Forest Foundation Philippines supports Strengthening Mangrove Management Project​​​​​
Bridging and Building Strategic Collaborations in ZEP2030 Communities
2nd Annual World Oceans Summit Asia-Pacific - November 29-30, 2022
MOA signing between DA-BFAR PaNaGaT Network