Jim Hancock, Natural Resources Management Officer of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), expressed that he admires the passion and strong commitment shown by the fisherfolk of Matnog, Sorsogon.

“Your message today, to make this [project] successful, people need to be committed and determined, be concerned, etcetera. That’s what you’re saying to yourselves, which is great, but what I will also say to PRDP is support them in that. Show them trust. Show them support. Show them determination as well. I want to finish on that, because I think that’s a very strong message,” Hancock said.

For the World Bank Midterm Review Mission to the PRDP South Luzon Cluster on December 4–7, Hancock visited the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and enterprise development (I-REAP) subproject site in Matnog. He asked the local government unit (LGU) and the proponent group about the importance of the Marine Protected Area (MPA), the problems that will be addressed by the subproject, the lessons learned, and plans for sustainability.

The members of the Calintaan- Calayuan- Paghuliran- Poropandan (CCPP) Fish Farmers Association and the Samahan ng Kababaihang Bantay Sanktuaryo ng Calintaan, Matnog (SKBCM) shared their experience with the mission team and actively participated in the discussion.

The P4.3 million-worth Community-Based Coastal Ecosystem Protection and Biodiversity Conservation subproject of PRDP-GEF in Matnog, Sorsogon is expected to improve the MPA management effectives, increase biomass, and increase the income of fisherfolk and their families. It also aims to develop and sustain eco-tourism, reduce illegal fishing activities, and improve the community’s participation in sustainable management of the municipal waters.

During the community dialogue, Municipal Councilor Ernie Garcera reminded the fisherfolk to take care of the MPA and sustain the subproject. He also shared his hope that the benefits of the subproject will be passed on to the next generation.

According to Desiderio Fuster, one of the members of the CCPP, the incidence of illegal fishing activities in Matnog greatly declined when the MPA was established. He added that the fisherfolk should have compassion and unity for their subproject to work and become successful. He also stressed that the issues in conserving the MPA will be addressed when the group closely works together.

Hancock encouraged the fisherfolk to ask for capacity-building trainings from the Project. He said, “It’s about your organizational capacity that will make it successful.”

He also thanked the community for their openness and commitment. “You’re one of the most positive group,” he stated. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-PRDP South Luzon PSO InfoACE Unit)

Food and Agriculture Organization Natural Resources Management Officer Jim Hancock (1st from right) asks the Matnog fisherfolk and the representatives of the local government unit to discuss the importance of the Marine Protected Area. He also inquired about the problems of the proponent group that will be addressed by their GEF subproject, the lessons learned, and their plans for sustainability. (Photo by Hermito Antonio Privaldos)

The members of the Calintaan- Calayuan- Paghuliran- Poropandan (CCPP) Fish Farmers Association show their fish cage to the World Bank mission team led by Food and Agriculture Organization Natural Resources Management Officer Jim Hancock. (Photo by Hermito Antonio Privaldos)