PAMANA Newsletter June 2004
What's Inside?
PAMANA Pushes Fishers Agenda
Thriving Sanctuaries in Cortes
Pamana Secretariat Two-Year Achievement Report
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PAMANA's push for marine tenure of fishers, changes in the Fisheries Code as well as protection for fish wardens is gaining ground. The 2003 Third Congress of PAMANA defined the policy advocacy agenda on securing marine tenure for fisherfolks, DAO 17 implementation, institutionalizing fish wardens as well as amending the Fisheries Code and other laws.
“Tayo ay nagkumpol-kumpol at naging PAMANA dahil alam natin na sa pagtutulungan ng maliliit na mangingisda, mai-angat natin ang kamulatan ng marami upang mabigyang-lunas ang nasisira na nating likas-yamang dagat (We organized as PAMANA because we know that we, small fishermen, could help together in saving the seas"), said Fernando Tiburcio, president of PAMANA.
PAMANA stands for Pambansang Alyansa ng Maliliit na Mangingisda at Komunidad na Nangangalaga ng Karagatan at Sangtuaryo sa Pilipinas. Since its inception in 1999, PAMANA has worked for the full implementation of the Fisheries Code, the recognition of marine tenure rights of fishers and the institutionalization of fish wardens, among others.
As of 2003, membership of PAMANA has grown from 87 to 122 marine sanctuary chapters in 22 ecosystem-based chapters. It has held three nationwide congress of members, the third last Aug. 24-26, 2003 at DECS-Ecotech Center . (Insert box on 22 ecosystem-based chapters.)
In the workshop on marine tenure, participants defined marine tenure as the right to own the sea, river, lake or other body of water that they are caring for. “ Karapatan ang pagmamay-ari sa isang tubig, dagat, lawa, ilog sa pangmatagalang panahon na nag uugnay na sa kanyang ikinabuhay .” Participants agreed that in the local level, people's organization should work for an ordinance awarding the management of marine sanctuary to them. There must be a memorandum of agreement between the local government unit and the people's organizations.
In the national level, marine tenure will be pursued through amendments of RA 8550 and RA 7160. This is a two year initiative.
Participants also conducted a review on the implementation of the Fisheries Code. They noted that among the positive features of the Fisheries Code is the extension of municipal waters from 7 kilometer to 15 kilometers, increased power and function of the FARMCs, preferential rights to small scale fishers and stewardship to small fishermen associations. But it was observed that there was weak implementation of the Fisheries Code due to lack of political will, among others. The group recommended amendments to the Fisheries Code to include a total ban of the fishpond lease agreement ( FLA ), inclusion of some active gears not defined by law, implementation of DAO 17 and consultation of fisherfolks in the listing of endangered species. It was agreed by the group to conduct paralegal training, to secure the services of a legal counsel and to lobby with Congress for the mandatory review of the Fisheries Code.
Another workshop was conducted on the fish wardens. Participants recommended that fish wardens be provided i nsurance benefits, honorarium/incentives, legal assistance and equipment for patrolling the seas against illegal fishing. The Congress also conducted workshop on marine court as well as on the implementation of DAO 17 on the delineation of municipal waters. These workshop results were adopted by Congress. PAMANA is now implementing the action plan generated by the Congress. To strengthen PAMANA, the Congress also revised the Constitution and By Laws of PAMANA and elected a new set of officers.
Thriving Sanctuaries in Cortes
By Jose Ma. Antonio Bringas and Maricel Abog
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The municipality of Cortes is almost 30 kilometers away from Tandag, the capital town of Surigao del Sur. It is located in the mid-eastern portion of Surigao de Sur facing the Pacific Ocean. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Lanuza and Lanuza Gulf , on the south by the municipality of Tandag, and on the west by the huge Diwata Mountains.
Cortes is known for its active marine sanctuaries. Seven out of the 12 barangays of Cortes have marine sanctuaries. They are among the sites that Haribon Foundation studied through the participatory marine sanctuary monitoring
People’s organizations manage the sanctuaries with the support of Mayor Dennis Yu and other town officials. Burgos Bird and Fish Sanctuary located in Barangay Burgos is managed by the Kadagatan Ampingan Pagmata Katawhan (KAAMPAKA), while Tigao Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Tigao is handled by the Nagpakabanang Mananagat sa Tigao (NAMATI). Capandan Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Capandan is managed by Capandan Multi-Purpose Cooperative while Tag-anongan is managed by the Nagpakabanang Mananagat sa Tag-anongan (NAGMATAKO). Balibadon Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Balibadon is managed by the Balibadon Fisherfolks Cooperative while the Poblacion Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Poblacion is managed by the Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Cortes Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
All these marine sanctuaries are members of PAMANA.
The primary objectives in establishing these sanctuaries are to protect, preserve and conserve marine resources for future generations and to stop illegal fishing activities in the waters of Cortes.
These sanctuaries are equipped with patrol boats, buoys, flashlights, handheld radios and biological monitoring paraphernalia including guardhouse for every Fish Sanctuary area.
Mayor Yu has also strengthened the enforcement against illegal activity within the municipal waters of Cortes by deputizing policemen as “Bantay Dagat” who closely monitor the municipal waters. He also implemented the Fisheries Code of 1998 by having a local ordinance passed banning the use of gill net or “baling”, implementing closed season to fish coral or “baklad” or “bungsod” and others.
Fishers affected by the ban were opportunity to swap their gill net gear for other legal fishing gear as part of the program or services offered by the municipal government.
For his efforts, Yu was recognized by PAMANA as one of the champions in implementing the Community Based Coastal Resource Management during the Catalyst Forum held at Eco-Tech, Lahug, Cebu City on June 24-25,2001.
Mayor Yu also initiated the Kadagatan festival held in time for the fiesta to promote the protection and conservation of marine resources.
Yu hoped that this “Kadagatan Festival” would be adopted by the people of Cortes as part of the fiesta celebration. He started the holding of the festival in 2002.
Last July’s festival featured quiz bee competition for elementary and high school students, fellowship among town and barangay officials, basketball tournament, agro-fair, boat racing and street dancing.
All 12 competing barangays in the street dancing emphasized the message that they wanted to give the public, which is to preserve and conserve all natural resources. Barangay Tigao won the first prize, Barangay Uba got the second prize to and the third prize went to Barangay Poblacion.
All the activities for the five-day celebration of the 2nd Kadagatan Festival were focused on the theme of protecting and managing the environment.
Yu’s three terms as mayor ended on June 30, 2004 but his commitment to environment lives on. This is because he is not alone. Members of the marine sanctuaries are determined to continue the gains they have made in conservation work.
Pamana Secretariat Two-Year Achievement Report
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This report was presented by PAMANA President Fernando Tiburcio during the 3 rd Congress on Aug. 24-26, 2004 to give an update on the work done by PAMANA since it held its second Congress on June 5-7, 2001 . Below is an excerpt.
Networking, Advocacy and Campaign
Affiliations
National Anti-Poverty Commision (NAPC ) - Pamana President Fernando Tiburcio is part of the Regional Council for the Fisheries Sector and four other Pamana leaders are members.
Movement for DAO 17 – Pamana is a member.
Activities Conducted
Round Table Discussion on Marine Tenure – output presented during the Marine Property Rights Conference in Anilao, Batangas.
1 st Round Table Discussion on the Establishment of Special Marine Courts\ Catalyst forums in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
BANGKA'T BUHAY in ten PAMANA Eco-system chapters.
Attendance
Series of National Fish Sanctuary Strategy Conference that later became known as Philippines Marine Sanctuary Strategy Conference (PhilMarSaSt).
The National Protected Areas Conference in Davao City.
The International Tropical Marine Environmental Management Symposium (ITMEMS).
The Regional Protected Areas Conference in Southeast Asia last April 2003.
Research and Documentation
Development of Atlas of Community-based Marine Sanctuaries in the Philippines with the help of Haribon Foundation.
With the help of Haribon Foundation, conducted Scuba Diving Training for Participatory Marine Sanctuary Monitoring (PMSM).
National Consultation workshop on PMSM.
Conducted training needs analysis on MPA Management Course.
Education and Trainings
Helped and assisted in the Basic Training on PMSM.
Helped in the conduct of PMSM in Balanoy, Batangas and in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.
Organizational Strengthening
PAMANA Resource Deployment and Transfer Scheme with the help of Haribon Foundation.
Formation of PAMANA Eco-system Based Chapters.
Started a system in collection of annual dues to its members to help in sustaining PAMANA operations.
Fund Sourcing.