Fisher group aims for progress in Bataan town
Hermosa, Bataan – Nestled at the northeastern tip of the Bataan peninsula, facing the picturesque Manila Bay, lies Hermosa, a first-class municipality renowned for its rich cultural heritage. Aside from its historical significance, the town is also a bustling center of commerce, where fishing and agriculture serve as vital sources of livelihood for its residents.
Because of its extensive coastline, Hermosa boasts abundant marine resources, with approximately 1,500 hectares of fishponds supplying a diverse range of seafood such as bangus, tilapia, shrimp, and crabs that makes its way to the Orani port, and ultimately to dinner tables of households across much of Luzon.
With decades of experience, the fisherfolk of Hermosa have cultivated expertise in sustainable aquaculture. To maximize profits and gather more support from government and development institutions, a group of 24 fishpond operators organized themselves into a cooperative.
In September 2023, the Almacen Fishermen Cooperative (AFC) was established, supported by Hermosa’s municipal cooperative development office. Named after the barangay where most of its members reside, AFC sells fishing supplies and gear and processes bottled sardines.
AFC envisions becoming a robust and progressive cooperative that uplifts its members and the broader community. With a strong commitment to equality and empowerment, the organization fosters collaboration and inclusivity, with women holding important positions that drive activities and facilitate partnerships.
By investing in their values, skills and resources, AFC members continuously explore ways to enhance their enterprise, including plans to set up a consumer store and expand their sardine production.
To bolster their efforts, AFC has been linked up with the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) through the local government under Project TRANSFORM.
Project TRANSFORM in Bataan
Launched in May 2023, the Project TRANSFORM (Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilient and Sustainable Communities through Multi-Stakeholder Engagement) is an initiative spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in collaboration with local governments, PEF, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Zuellig Family Foundation, Energy Development Corporation, and the National Resilience Council.
Project TRANSFORM aims to enhance disaster preparedness, achieve sustainable development goals, mitigate climate change impacts, and support the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 through strong collaborative partnerships between the government and private sector.
In line with the project’s livelihood component, PEF has partnered with the local government of Hermosa to support AFC’s aspirations. In September 2024, the Foundation organized a learning exchange in Hermosa, connecting AFC with Yakap at Halik Multipurpose Cooperative Quezon 2 of Quezon province as part of its initial interventions to help AFC.
During this exchange, AFC shared its expertise in fishpond management while learning the best practices on consumer store management and cooperative from Yakap at Halik MPC.
Following the learning exchange, AFC leaders are eager to reassess their operations and streamline processes to better meet the needs of its members and their community.
“It’s inspiring to see cooperatives that have thrived through years of dedication, persistence, and passion. We thank PEF and Yakap at Halik for inspiring us to go beyond what we are now,” AFC General Manager Emelita Simbulan said.