QUEZON CITY – The Fourth Implementation Support Mission of the FishCoRe Project has successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone in evaluating and advancing the project’s goals. From February 25 to March 7, the mission focused on assessing progress and advancing initiatives related to livelihood support, infrastructure development, and sustainable resource management for fisherfolk communities across Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao.

Over the course of this phase, the team visited critical sites to evaluate ongoing and proposed interventions. In Maasin City, Southern Leyte, the team explored the proposed ice plant, cold storage facility, and post-harvest facility. These facilities will play a vital role in reducing post-harvest losses, improving fish preservation, and boosting market access for local fisherfolk. In Tomas Oppus, the team also visited the proposed Bangus cage farming site, which holds great promise for creating more sustainable livelihoods for local fishing communities.

In Camiguin, multiple proposed beneficiary sites were assessed, including KASAMMA, the Benoni Fisherfolk Association, and the United Fisherfolk of Cantaan. These sites are key to expanding the MARLIN 2.1 and 2.2 programs, which are designed to provide communities with critical resources and technologies to enhance fisheries-based livelihoods. The team also visited the ABTI Sagay Multi-Species Hatchery, where significant progress in aquaculture was highlighted. These advancements will support sustainable fish populations and enhance production capacities for the region.

“It is clear that we are making tangible progress toward achieving the objectives of the FishCoRe Project,” said Dr. Angel Encarnacion, Project Manager. “We have seen the dedication and hard work of local communities, and we have identified areas where continued support and collaboration are needed to overcome challenges,” he added.

The mission also focused on infrastructure and resource management in key areas such as Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. These locations are crucial to the success of the FishCoRe Project as they are home to important fisheries resources. Furthermore, the field visits to Vessel Monitoring System centers, Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance systems, and LGU patrol vessels beneficiaries will enhance fisheries governance and law enforcement, ensuring the sustainability of fisheries resources and empowering local communities to manage their coastal environments effectively.

“The next steps will be critical in maintaining momentum and ensuring that the lessons learned from this mission are integrated into future efforts,” said Mr. Isidro Velayo, Assistant Director for Technical Services of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. “We must continue to refine our systems, support our locality, and adapt to the evolving needs of the fisheries sector,” he added.

Engr. Roger Navarro, Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization at the Department of Agriculture, also emphasized the critical importance of food security. “This is our biggest challenge— the food supply in the country must be accessible not only to the rich but also to the poor,” he said.

As the FishCoRe Project faces a new phase of implementation, the FishCoRe team remains dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders and local communities to ensure the long-term success of the project even after it concludes in 2029.

Ms. Jingji Chu, Senior Environmental Economist and Task Team Leader at the World Bank, emphasized the importance of learning from past implementations to guide the development of the project. “We should already have learned… even if we haven’t learned by doing, we must take action in order to learn. If we don’t act, we will never learn,” she said.