Looking Through an Area and Collaboration lens

The Sibuguey Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay is a haven for the fishing industry in the region. It is located in the one of the five richest fishing grounds in the country.^[1] Through the efforts of the community, local government, and other organizations, mangroves were planted to support and maintain the natural resources and illegal fishing was prohibited in the area.^[2]

With its wealth of resources and community empowerment, the fisheries value chain thrives and it remains resilient up to this day, according to the action research findings by Escaping the Middle-Income Trap Chain-for-Change (EMIT C4C) team of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS).

In a presentation during the latest installment of #PEFtalks last December 2021, the EMIT Team shared the different projects and activities by Kapunungan sa Gagmay’ng Mangingisda sa Concepcion (KGMC), a group of fisherfolks organized in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay by Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon to empower communities and implement environment-friendly measures.

The action research, in partnership with the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), also thoroughly examined the primary activities of KGMC (crabs, shrimps, aso-os, and lapu-lapu value chain) and how it has provided the community income and livelihood for years.

According to Abrina, with the wealth of natural resources in Kabasalan and the strong foundation of KGMC as an organization, it is important that the group invest more in developing  their young leaders for continuity of their programs and in their communal activities to be stronger in the future.

EMIT C4C also presented their preliminary findings of their action research on  the coconut value chain of Laak Multipurpose Cooperative in Davao del Norte, cane sugar value chain of Macarben in Negros Occidental, and organic rice value chain of Glowcorp.

According to PEF Executive Director Roberto Calingo, PEF could use these findings in planning and calibrating its programs in key areas.

“As we implement our strategy, we are looking to use the inputs collated by the action research to examine area contexts and implement appropriate development interventions,” he said.

The PEF and UP EMIT-C4C  partnership started in  2019 to understand the key elements that would enable inclusive and sustainable partnerships in agricultural value chains through action research.

[1] Regional Development Agenda, Zamboanga Peninsula. https://nro9.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Regional-Development-Agenda.pdf

[2] Mangrove rehabilitation projects, Forest Foundation Philippines. https://www.facebook.com/forestfoundationph/photos/forestfeature-sibuguey-bay-in-the-province-of-zamboanga-sibugay-supports-the-phi/10158244225076339/