Hayahay na po ba? (Is your life comfortable now?) One participant asked Jojo if life has become comfortable now that Siete Pecados has become one of the best tourist destinations in Coron, Palawan. The people’s organization managing the Marine Park is earning and funding its own projects in the community. Jose “Jojo” Mazon replied that the marine park provided jobs to the community and increased the catch for fishermen; behavioral changes are also observed—the community takes part in solid waste management, protection and conservation of the marine park For me, that is success.
What does success truly mean in a world grappling with challenges and social inequalities? Is it measured only by financial growth? Perhaps a more holistic definition lies in the coexistence of humans and the environment, where sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation are intertwined.
A recent learning visit to coastal communities in Coron and Busuanga, Palawan, gave a glimpse into this alternative vision of success. It showcased inspiring stories of community-led sustainable livelihood, women-managed mangrove areas, marine protected area management, and responsible seafood sourcing.
Community-Led Sustainable Livelihoods
Our first stop is the Calamianes Seaweed Marketing Cooperative (CSMC). CSMC is a community-managed cooperative whose members include men and women fishermen, persons with disabilities, youth, and Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
Despite facing challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and financial constraints, They persevered. For one overcame her timidity: “dati magsasalita lang ako sa harap umiiyak na ako,” she quipped. Now, Mary Ann Delima is the current president of CSMC and confidently transacts with businesses and opportunities for their organization. She showed their organization’s humble beginning as we convened in a nipa hut—their previous office—and afterwards she showed us almost their building that was in its finishing stage.
Their story of success is how they have persevered, overcoming their challenges and becoming confident leaders, and they showed us the power of a community that transformed their lives.
Women-Managed Mangrove Ecosystems
Second stop. The Balisungan women-managed mangrove area (WMA) in Coron, the Shalom Women’s Biodiversity Conservation Cooperative (SWBCC), which has 52 members, manages it. The WMA started in 2019 following a gender analysis highlighting the role of women in fisheries, especially in near-shore ecosystems.
Imelda Mazon is not by the book. Her love for conservation of mangroves drove her to study mangroves and try to implement it in their area. However, she noticed that it does not work how it should. On their own, they studied growing mangroves in their area and found out what works for them.
They currently manage an 890 hectare of corals and mangroves in Barangay Tagumpay, Coron, Palawan. Balisungan WMA was a third runner-up in the Best Mangrove Managed MPA category at the Para El Mar 2023, a nationwide MPA award.
Successful Marine Protected Area Management
The Siete Pecados Marine Protected Area in Coron, Palawan, grew from a local community effort to restore fisheries and generate income into a cross-sectoral USAID activity. Established in 2005 with 52 hectares, it was expanded to 180 hectares with USAID Fish Right support. Siete Pecados MPA became part of a wider network using ecological design principles towards improved marine biodiversity, restored fisheries stocks, enhanced climate resilience, and generated income for local communities and revenue for local government. The community-managed MPA also led the formation of the Calamianes MPA Network, which assists in establishing and strengthening MPAs in Calamianes.
Siete Pecados is a model for successful marine protected area management. Siete Pecados has garnered numerous awards and accolades. By prioritizing conservation and community engagement, it demonstrated the positive impact of effective governance and sustainable practices.
Siete Pecados garnered several recognitions, including the top prize as Best Locally Managed MPA and two special awards: Best in Enforcement and Guardian of the Sea and PNP-MG Savior of the Sea at the Para El Mar 2023, a nationwide MPA Awards. It also won the Blue Parks Award, an international in 2024.
Responsible Seafood Sourcing
The Responsibly Sourced Seafood (RSS) model is a public-private sector partnership launched in March 2022 with the Bogtong Fish Processor Association (BFPA) in Busuanga with USAID Fish Right support. The program engaged local and Manila-based seafood buyers, leveraging support from the public sector through infrastructure development, machinery, and technical training worth over PHP 1.5 million. The local government of Busuanga provided a structure to house the microfish processing facility following the government food safety standards. BFPA manages the facility that can produce nearly 1 ton from October 2022 to April 2023 with a market value of Php 675,000.
A Palamigan mini ice plant is located in the area and managed by Barangay Bogtong Bantay Gubat, which produces ice that currently serves fishers, traders, and other ice-related businesses. USAID Fish Right provided technical support to the organization on proposal development, financial and operations management, and simple bookkeeping.
The use of technology has been essential in supporting coastal communities in embracing responsible seafood sourcing practices. By utilizing innovative strategies, these communities can guarantee sustainable and ethical sourcing of seafood. An initiative that exemplifies this involves utilizing technology to streamline the distribution of frozen and fresh seafood. Through partnerships, these communities have advanced their economic well-being while preserving marine ecosystems.
We have learned that there is no short cut to success. It is a constant process of resilience, of not giving up, of overcoming—even ourselves. The fishermen and PO representatives who participated in the learning visit expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to witness these inspiring communities. They undertook a workshop on a re-entry plan to apply their learnings from the trip to their own communities in La Union, fostering a more sustainable future for coastal ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
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