A national technical working group comprising representatives from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), non-governmental organizations, academe, people’s organizations and local government units (LGUs) joined forces to conduct a four-day training program on the development of a National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fishers (NPAO-SSF) last June 20-24, 2023 in Quezon City.

The training sessions, held over the course of three days, brought together experts and stakeholders from various sectors to collaborate in crafting a strategic approach that would support and provide consensus principles on developing the action plan.

At the conclusion of the training, the technical working group including the members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO) and International Ocean Institute South Africa delved into the formulation of an inclusive draft of National Plan of Action for Small Scale-Fishers.

The comprehensive action plan outlines strategies to enhance their socio-economic conditions and address the challenges faced by small-scale fishers in the country. It will now undergo further review and refinement by the technical working group, incorporating suggestions and feedback of all the members and stakeholders.

The successful collaboration among the members of the multi-sectoral technical working group and formulation of the action plan marked a significant milestone in the country’s fisheries sector in recognizing the vital role of the small-scale fishers in their contribution to food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable development and in exemplifying the commitment to the collective action for the betterment of the small-scale fishers in the country.