by Elinando B. Cinco
Manila Bulletin
May 25, 2001
Every now and then we hear of non-governmental organizations engaging in some high-profile projects. But a relatively small and almost obscure group is doing a Titanic task without too much fanfare.
Who has ever heard of CERD? Or FIRMED?
The former is an acronym for the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development. While the latter stands for Fishery Integrated Resource Management for Economic Development.
Both may immediately conjure multi-million peso studies and projects. Not much of that sort. Their funding operations are actually miniscule. But their scope of work and involvement on marine preservation and the corresponding benefits derived by fisherfolks can be quantified in terms of millions of pesos more.
CERD-FIRMED as co-proponents are doing a sustaining and laudable program for the past five years now – the Samar Sea Program. To many, the agenda appears insignificant. But to the few
dedicated men and women in the two NGOs, they are proud of their contribution to the preservation of the environment and the upliftment of the lives of a marginalized sector – the small fishermen.
They have succeeded where LGUs and some clergy programs have failed. Dynamite fishing and other forms of blatantly destructive fishing methods have been noticeably discouraged along the coastal shores of Samar Sea.
They are watching their target beneficiaries attain untold assistance and blessings. First, on the rich marine environment of the province which before hand been neglected and forsaken, to say the least. And second, on the hundreds of small fisherfolks who for years did not have a chance against those highly mechanized methods of destructive fishing.
This is where CERD FIRMED proponents are set apart from the countless NGOs around.
INITIATIVES
CERD FIRMED first introduced the program in Calbayog City in 1996. Specifically, what have the two proponents been able to achieve so far?
Lauding the concept, city officials responded favorably. In 1997, the city council passed Ordinance No. 97-16-083, “declaring the coastal and territorial water within the jurisdiction of barangay Binaliw, Tinambacan District, as “Marine Protected Area.”
“It is more or less a two hectare territory, “says Rochet Gonzaga, information and advocacy officer of CERD FIRMED. To further buttressed the significant local measure, a”fish sanctuary” was also established and identified in the area.
After four years, the charter is reaping its “marine fruits.”
Officials have noted an increase in the number of fish varieties in the area and a healthy proliferation of corrals and reefs. Another important achievement of the proponents is their triumph in driving away destructive fishing methods not only within the sanctuary, but in most areas of Samar Sea. Needless to say, their disappearance has increased the yield and catch of small fishermen in and around the provincial jurisdiction.
IMPROVING THEIR LOT
What about the marginalized fisherfolks? CERD FIRMED has been able to assist them in forming federations. Teaching them to be more productive within the bounds of accepted new fishing procedures and techniques.
The objectives: to prevent over-fishing so as not to deflate resources in the area; and, to discourage the catching of spawning fish, as well as under-size categories.
The fisherfolks and their families are also prodded to form themselves into cooperatives with the end in view of improving their economic lives. However, there are still constraints in the group’s vigilance. The PNP – it enforcement agency – has only one service boat used by its seaborne unit in patrolling the area. Then there is the proverbial reluctance on the part of local officials to apprehend and prosecute violators, for reasons of politics or political accommodation.
Incidentally, CERD FIRMED is also in Balayan Bay in Batangas, and at Hinatuan Bay in Surigao del Sur.