Catbalogan fisherfolk led

Climate Change Adaptable Fishing Method: Tailor-made Cooperation in Sustaining Local Economy

Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan is visiting the fisher folk project site.

SUSTAINED economic growth is vital in achieving sustainable development. The heart of it is the healthy development of local economy. Among many factors, climate change turns out to be a challenge of the continuity of local economy.

Realizing this, Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan of Catbalogan City ventured into a partnership with non-government organization (NGO) and fisher folk organizations in a pilot climate change resilient fishing alternative method project.

The project aims to lessen the impact of climate change to the daily lives of the fisher folk communities in terms of livelihood and economic sustainability.

Mindful of the challenges faced by global warming, Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan said that the fisher folks and the fishing industry of her city are greatly affected. As a coastal city, majority of the population relies on fishing as their primary livelihood with a vast Samar sea and Maqueda bay fishing ground.

The said project will help 8 coastal barangays or villages and would benefit hundreds of fisher folks and their families, not to mention the community that they serve. It is managed by an NGO partner and is operated by the fisher folk organization with the supervision of the city’s agriculture office.

It is admitted that project is faced with challenges, such as kind of behavior and a mindset amongst the community and leaders; thus, a massive and intense social preparation is a must. Other supporting factors, such as fisher folks understanding and concern in terms of global warming, climate change and other environment related issues should also be improved. Moreover, fisher folks could also take lessons from super typhoon Haiyan that caused catastrophic destruction in the area back in 2013.

The Mayor is optimistic with the success of this project, saying that community participation and inclusivity is highly commendable in this initiative. The Mayor also hopes to replicate this to nearby barangays.

“Handful things should be done, and I will be forever grateful to our partners like from the NGOs; who believe and trust my leadership and recognizes the sincerity of my administration in our continual pursuit to uplift the lives of our constituency”, said the Mayor. She further said that the success of any endeavor depends on mutual understanding, shared responsibility with the public’s willingness to cooperate.

Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan, is member of UCLG ASPAC’s Executive Bureau from Southeast Asia sub-region. Co-Chairing ASPAC Standing Committee of Women in Local Government, Mayor Stephany is also active in promoting SDGs, particularly Goal 8. She became one of trainers in LED Workshop organized by UCLG ASPAC in Seberang Perai (Malaysia), December 2016.

Contributor: Myra Tambor, Catbalogan City, the Philippines