Pilot Project on Milkfish Cage Culture as Livelihood Option to Cordova Fisherfolk
A FIDEC Inc. project proposal to The Asia Foundation
Raizza Mae Moldovan 18 September 2013
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18 September 2013 Ky D. Johnson, Deputy Country Representative The Asia Foundation R2D2 Jupiter St., Metro Manila Philippines Re: Pilot Project on Milkfish Cage Culture as Livelihood Option to Cordova Fisherfolk Dear Mr. Johnson: Thank you for your recent letter inviting Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Incorporated (FIDEC Inc.) to submit a grant proposal for funding consideration. As discussed, the organization is asking for the support of the Foundation in the amount of $100,000 over a one-year period for the pilot project on milkfish cage culture as livelihood option to the Cordova fisherfolk affected by the recent oil spill off the coast of Cebu. FIDEC Inc. has enjoyed a significant growth within the last 28 years, empowering marginalized fisherfolk in the Central Visayas area. Last year, FIDEC Inc. launched five new programs, including an alternative learning program for fisherfolks who weren't able to finish basic education. FIDEC Inc. delivered a total of $5 million in sustainable management of ecological resources projects in one year alone; an astounding record of achievement. As The Asia Foundation know, FIDEC Inc. offers opportunities and not "dole outs", and so, the organization is going to embark, with a sense of urgency and responsibility, on a new project, with The Asia Foundation's assistance, to help the efected lowly fisherfolk of the town of Cordova. The Philippine Coast Guard says the 2Go Shipping Lines ferry, MV St. Thomas Aquinas 1, which sank August 16 after colliding with the freighter Sulpicio Express 7 while entering the Mactan Channel just 3.2 kilometers from the port of Cebu City, was carrying 120,000 liters of bunker oil, 20,000 liters of lube oil and 20,000 liters of diesel oil. An unknown amount of these petroleum products has spilled into the sea. Cebuanos are racing against time to stop the spread of an oil slick that endangers marine life in the coastal municipality of Cordova on Mactan Island where the livelihood of 5,000 fishermen is on the line. Although the assessment of the damage is still ongoing, it has been disclosed that given the Php 300 (CA$ 7.08) average daily income of the fishermen, the daily loss for fishermen in the area can be pegged at Php 1.5 million (CA$ 35,379.86) everyday.
FIDEC Inc. is seeking support from the Foundation to initialize this pilot alternate livelihood program for the affected fishermen. The goal is to improve the socioeconomic condition of the affected fiserfolk and to support the rehabilitation and ecological recover program of the Town of Cordova. Specifically, the organization aims to accomplish the following objectives: 1. Train 150 fisherfolk on milkfish cage culture as an additional livelihood of five fisherfolk organizations (FOs) in the five affected villages; 2. To develop FOs into viable and profitable business entities in mariculture and responsible communities in the management of their coastal resources; 3. To measure the impacts of milkfish cage culture on the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries, the coastal environment and policy and institutional arrangement in the use of the coastal resources; 4. To install and operate one fish cage in the five villages and provide operational capital to serve both as a training/demonstration centre and production facility for the FOs. Income from the production runs shall be given to the respective FOs. The milkfish cage culture project in Cordova will serve as a model project for other development groups in promoting sustainable aquaculture as an alternative and supplemental livelihood. This will encourage fisherfolk and different stakeholder groups to engage in the same venture. The budget includes funds for the construction and operation of five fish cages, purchase of motorized boats, and conducting of season-long training course on milkfish cage culture for 30 fishers from the five affected villages. FIDEC Inc. will provide an area for the project in the Isda Marine Station; help source out beneficiaries and provide on-site training on the culture of milkfish in floating cages; manage the technical, administrative and financial aspects of the project. The local government unit of Cordova will give policy support to the project. Thank you for your support and assistance to FIDEC Inc., and the fisherfolk communities the organization serves. FIDEC Inc. looks forward to your consideration of the organization's request. FIDEC Inc. will be pleased to submit additional information at your request. Please do not hesitate to contact the organization at +63-987-6543210.
Sincerely,
Raizza Mae Moldovan Executive Director