Institute of Social Order Annual Report 2018

Institute of Social Order, Inc.

ISO 2018 Annual Report

Institute of Social Order, Inc. SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS January to December 2018 For the period of 2018, the ISO continues to pursue its goals, as follows: 1.

Establishment of an integrated sustainable eco-management zone encompassing Lamon Bay in the Province of Quezon, San Miguel Bay in the Camarines Provinces, San Fernando Bay in La Union, and Coron Bay in the Calamianes Island in Palawan.

2.

Documentation and replication of NRM strategy nationwide, with special focus on CCA/DRR and gender equality.

3.

Revenue generation by making ISO the lodging and seminar venue of choice of social development institutions, people organizations, academe, government agencies and business sectors.

4.

Ensuring that the ISO has the necessary manpower equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude (KSA) operating within favourable work environment.

5.

Ensuring effective and efficient financial administration for long-term sustainability of the institution.

Table 1 - ISO Areas of Operation (January to December, 2018) Areas of Operation Geographical location San Fernando Bay in La Union (City of San Fernando)

Coron Bay in Calamianes Group of Islands (Municipality of Culion)

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ISO 2018 Annual Report Lamon Bay (Municipalities of Burdeos and, Panukulan)

San Miguel Bay (Municipality of Siruma)

From January – October 2018, The ISO was able to accomplish the following:

A. Institute-Wide Activities 1. The ISO went through a graduated team building with each unit going through team building sessions as follows: Executive Committee - July 3; Administrative and Services Divisions - July 4; and Programs, ISD and Research Divisions (July 17). This activity has been conducted to strengthen the unity and cooperation among the ISO staff and to affirm the staff’s commitment to the mission and vision of the Institute. On a per unit basis, the team building session was intended to build the relationships of the members of each unit, and address their internal concerns. The institute-wide community building activity, on the other hand, aims to serve as a venue for the different divisions to articulate their shared values and facilitate cooperation and empathy with one another. The activity was facilitated by Mr. Edwin Odulio of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Theology Department. Through this activity, the ISO personnel were able to voice out their concerns with one another, as a first step towards conflict resolution. The dialogue mediated by an outsider allowed the personnel to see each other’s perspectives on how to conduct their tasks and functions.

2. The ISO celebrated its 71st anniversary on August 6-7, 2018 with the theme: Community Organizing toward Nation Building: ISO’s Grassroots Approach for Social Change. A photo exhibit depicting ISO’s current programs was also showcased during the anniversary. For internal capacity building, learning sessions on 1) customer service for the Administrative and Services Divisions was conducted wherein the administrative and services personnel of the Institute learned basic etiquette for service industry workers, such as what phrases to use when transacting with clients, dealing with irate customers, customer satisfaction, basic grooming, etc.; and 2) program development and theory of change wherein the programs staff and the technical support staff of the Institute were refreshed and/or oriented on the principles of program development, logical framework, monitoring and evaluations. During the session, the program teams were also encouraged to develop theories of change for their areas and to come up with possible project concepts that can be developed into project proposals.

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ISO 2018 Annual Report The celebration was capped by a re-visioning exercise, also facilitated by Mr. Odulio, wherein the ISO revisited and reflected on its vision, mission, and goals, with the help of Fr. I-jay Chan-Gonzaga, SJ, a member of the ISO’s Board of Trustees. To cap the celebration, Fr. Antonio- Moreno, SJ celebrated the Eucharist with the ISO staff.

Photo 1 The ISO celebrated its 71st anniversary by re-visiting its VMGs and learning from each other with trainings conducted for the Services and

3. To understand further the root of its social justice mission, the ISO had two refresher sessions in Catholic Social Teachings last February and April 2018 courtesy of JJCICSI and the Ateneo Theology Department. Both sessions aimed to deepen the application of the seven principles of the CST in ISO’s work. The ISO personnel appreciated the discussions of the CSTs and its connection to ISO’s mission but admitted that these are not yet fully realized on the ground. They also recommended that the CSTs be cascaded to the communities as a form of value-based formation program.

4. The ISO also had its annual Ignatian retreat on October 4-5 at Cenacle Retreat House. The theme of the retreat was ‘going back home’ where the learning sessions dwelt on the reflection on the parable of the prodigal son. Dr. Roberto Guevara of the Ateneo Theology Department and Ms. Rina Simpas of the Ateneo Campus Ministry Office led the retreat along with some volunteer retreat facilitators from the Ateneo and CIS. The retreat served as time for the ISO personnel to reflect, rest, and pray. The individual consultations with the retreat facilitators allowed guided the staffs’ spiritual journey during the retreat.

5. Finally, to provide the staff with the opportunity to rest and bond together, the ISO went to Davao City for rest and recreation last August 9 to 11, 2018. It functioned as a culminating activity of both the team building and anniversary of the ISO as this allowed the personnel to rest and connect with each other.

6. The Institute had a dialogue with Father Provincial Primitivo Viray, SJ, last December 20, 2018 during the Christmas Party. The dialogue allowed the Father Provincial and the ISO

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ISO 2018 Annual Report personnel to get to know more about each other, to discuss how the SJ Philippine Province sees the ISO’s work, and to discuss staff concerns and organizational sustainability.

B. Program Implementation The ISO follows a general program strategy approach called social transformation and grassroots empowerment (STAGE). STAGE is comprised of the following components: a) Participatory Action Research (PAR) b) Multi-level Community Organizing c) Value Based Capacity Building d) Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation/Resource Tenure Improvement e) Conservation Enterprise Development/Alternative Livelihood f) Networking, Linkaging and Advocacy g) Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction h) Gender and development To date, the ISO implements the following programs: Table 2 - List of On-going Programs (January – December, 2018) Name of Project Funding Partner Partner Project Duration/ Institution Institutions Organizations Status San Fernando Bay, La Union Facilitating PublicPrivate Partnership through CoManagement of a Marine Protected Area

Caltex Foundation, Inc./Chevron Philippines (extension period)

- City of San Fernando, La Union and its City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) - Poro Pt. Management Council (PPMC) - Don Mariano Marcos State UniversitySchool of Fisheries (DMMSU) - Union Christian College (UCC) - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

- Poro Sea Lovers - January 2014 to Association (PSLA) December 2018; - Poro Marine extended until June, Protected Area 2019 (MPA) Council - Project officially - City-Wide launched on May Integrated MPA 2014 Council - Project is in its Year 5 of implementation

San Miguel Bay, Bicol Facilitating Mangrove Management in Siruma, Camarines Sur

Forest Foundation Philippines (formerly Philippine

- Camarines Norte State College - Central Bicol State University College of

- Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Vito (SMV) - Samahan ng Maliliit na

June 2014 to March 2018 - ISO is in process of preparing a

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ISO 2018 Annual Report Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc.) (FFP)

Agriculture – Calabanga Campus - LGU of Siruma

Mangingisda ng proposal for project Pamintan-Bahao extension/ at Banwaan expansion in the (SAMMAPABBA) adjoining barangay, - Samahan ng Brgy. Homestead.

Mangingisda ng - The Mangrove Butawanan (SMB) Management Plan - Nagkakaisang developed under Samahan ng mga the project is Mangingisda ng currently being Salvacion lobbied for adoption (NASAMASA) to be part of their - Samahan ng mga Municipal Mangingisda sa Development Plan Penitan (SMP) - Project monitoring on the ground in ongoing - Preparation for aquasilviculture mud crab pond establishment ongoing

Northern Lamon Bay, Quezon At present, projects in Quezon have no external funding. However, the ISO continues to conduct post-implementation monitoring and periodic assistance in Panukulan and Burdeos.

Facilitation and Assistance to Samahan ng mga Mangingisda ng San Rafael in the Conceptualization of the Project Entitled “Adapting Aquasilviculture for Sustainable Livelihood” in the Municipality of Burdeos, Province of Quezon Capacitating Vulnerable Communities towards Sustainable Natural Resource Production and Management

Forest Foundation of the Philippines (FPE)

- LGU of Burdeos - Barangay LGU of San Rafael

- Samahan ng Mangingisda ng San Rafael (SMSR)

- July to September 2017 - ISO was able to complete the terminal report and SMSR’s proposal in 2018 - Proposal was disapproved; ISO awaiting formal response of FFP regarding the matter

Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE)

- Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) Luzon - LGU of Jomalig - Barangay LGUs of Jomalig

- Bukal Agricultural and Mangrove Development Against Poverty (BAMADAP) - Apad Mangrove and Fisherfolk Association (AMFA) - Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka at Mangingisda

- Project ended in 2014 but ISO was granted a threemonth extension period to complete the monographs and the closeout the project - ISO is preparing for the project closeout in Jomalig

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ISO 2018 Annual Report sa Casuguran (KASAMMACA) - Gango Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (GaFFA) - Samahan ng mga Mangingisda sa Bigwangan (SAMABA) - Eco-Green Association in Moros (EGAM)

Coron Bay, Calamianes Group of Islands Promoting Participatory Island Development Strategy in Culion, Palawan

Phil-Am Fund from the United States Assistance for International Development (USAID) administered by the Gerry Roxas Foundation, Inc. (GRF)

- Simbahan Lingkod ng Bayan and the LGU of Culion - Barangay LGUs of Culion

- Samahan ng mga Responsableng Mamamayan ng Galoc (SAREMAGA) - Samahan ng may Makabagong Kabuhayan ng San Ignacio (SAMAKASI) - Hugpong Mananagat ng Binudac (HUMABI) - Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Mangingisdan g Nagmamalasa kit sa Likas Yaman ng Barangay Libis (NYSMNLIBIS) - Baldat Fishermen and Farmers Association (BAFFA) - Kabel-Kabel Catuldan

- Phil-Am Fund project closed last October 31, 2018 - ISO is continuing project operations with its own funding

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ISO 2018 Annual Report Community Fisherfolk and Farmers Association (KCCFFA)

The following are the specific program activities conducted by the ISO for 2018 in four bay areas:

San Fernando Bay, La Union The ISO together with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of San Fernando City continues to implement the project entitled ‘Facilitating Public-Private Partnership through CoManagement of a Marine Protected Area’ through a grant from Chevron th Philippines for the 5 year.

In 2018, the ISO focused on strengthening the partnerships fostered with different public and private institutions around the Poro MPA such as the Poro Point Photo 2 The Poro Sea Lovers Association, which grew from 40 members to 189, continue their mission of protecting their resource bases and uplifting their Management Council members' economic conditions (PPMC), Union Christian College (UCC), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Each of these partners contributed to the protection of the Poro MPA. Partnership meetings were held with these institutions to discuss joint activities for the management of the MPA such as the conduct of training, hazard mapping, risk and water quality assessment; exploration of sustainable tourism; assessment and re-deployment of the MPA marker buoys; and possible livelihood program assistance. The UCC in particular is collaborating with the ISO in several activities such as the production of a video on the Poro MPA and the write-up of the survey on the community’s awareness on the Poro MPA. UCC and the City ENRO also invite the PSLA and the Poro MPA Council to the seminars or training activities that they organize. At present the PCREA study and perception study are at 90% completion. The ISO has also successfully engaged the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR I) in the project despite not having a formal partnership. They assisted in the conduct of the coral reef monitoring in 2017 and also donated a boat to the Poro MPA Council.

ISO’s trademark approach of promoting principled collaboration with other stakeholders in the area has been effective in achieving common goals. This strategy allows the Institute to advocate the rights of the fisherfolk in discussions, decision and policy-making. This also ensures that the project gets support from different stakeholders, which is vital as the ISO is slated to turn-over the project to the local stakeholders in 2019.

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ISO 2018 Annual Report In this 5th year, the ISO continued to strengthen the institutions tasked to manage the Poro Marine Protected Area such as the Poro Marine Protected Area Management Council (PMMC) and the CityWide MPA Management Council. The PMMC continues to implement the MPA Management Plan of Poro in 2018. The members conducted their regular meetings in 2018 wherein they discussed operations concerns such as the schedule of law enforcement and patrolling activities, review of their policies and procedures, the re-deployment of the MPA marker buoys, and possible livelihood projects.

MPA management strategies such as financial policies, patrolling procedures, among others are embedded in the meetings of the PMMC to ensure regular upgrading of the skills of the members. 14 Bantay Dagat members regularly conduct the patrolling and surveillance of the Poro MPA, from the watch tower along the PPMC baywalk and aboard their patrol boats.

In 2018, the ISO also integrated the three MPAs of Poro, Kasay, and Lingsat into the City-wide MPA Management Council to consolidate and strengthen the protection of San Fernando Bay’s marine protected areas. The oath taking of the officers were held in 2018 after the individual MPAs also conducted their own elections. The City-wide Integrated MPA Management Council had meetings last June 28 and August 23, 2018, to discuss and review the strategic management plan for eco-tourism, vacant positions in patrolling team leader and secretary (which is now filled) and request for: city-wide educational tour; team building; and training on basic life support.

In 2018, the Office of Social Concern and Issues (OSCI) of the Ateneo de Manila University and Fordham University’s International Political Economy and Development (IPED) students had an immersion in Poro wherein the students assessed the operations of PSLA and the Poro MPA Management Council. After the immersion, Fordham University donated USD2,000.00 or Php 100,000.00 (distributed in 2 tranches) to the project. The fund was used to: 1) buy SCUBA gears for use in the monitoring Photo 3 Fordham University IPED students with the Poro MPA Management Council of the MPAs, and 2) the conduct and Bantay Dagat members at the Poro Watch Tower of an evaluation and planning cum team building exercise for the City-Wide MPA Management Council.

Meanwhile, the PSLA membership has grown from 42 founding members to 129 members and continues to conduct its regular activities such as the monthly meetings of the Executive Committee members and operation of livelihood enterprises. At present, the PSLA operates the Luto Ti Poro, its eatery and catering business, on a limited scale because of competition from similar businesses in the area. Luto ti Poro generated a gross income of only Php15,101.21 and a net income of Php1,565.67 for 2018. The slow turn of catering business compelled the PSLA to explore other income generating options. In 2017, its leaders initiated a micro-finance project where the PSLA members can avail of loans to diversify their livelihood. This micro-finance program earned well in 2018. From an initial capital of Php25,000.00, PSLA was able to achieve an ending capital of Php59,000.00 for the year. PSLA practices good financial management skills as its leaders make sure to report their transactions to all the

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ISO 2018 Annual Report members. One of PSLA’s future goals is to allocate portion of the PO’s income for activities that support the operation of the Poro MPA and coastal clean ups.

Last December, 7, 2018, the ISO commenced the turnover of the project to the City Government and the Poro community. It presented the project’s accomplishments for the last five years to the local stakeholders to remind them that the project was a result of partnership among the community, the ISO, and the local government unit for the protection of Poro’s coastal and marine environment. Plaques of appreciation and Photo 4 Stakeholders from the City Government, Barangay Poro Council, PSLA, MPA recognition of contributions Management Council, ISO, and Chevron Philippines gathered during the project turnover to the project were given by the ISO to its project partners. The turnover ceremony was dovetailed with the blessing of the Poro MPA watchtower.

The ISO and Chevron Philippines also signed a sunset agreement to continue the project for another 6 months to see through the sustainability of the project’s initiatives, especially the strengthening of the City-Wide MPA Management Council which oversees a network of MPAs in Poro, Kasay, and Lingsat.

Under the extension agreement, capacity building on coral reef assessment and monitoring and resource mobilization will be provided to the partners so that they can lead these activities when the project phases out. During the extension period, the project will also conduct an MPA Caravan to inform the other communities about the importance of San Fernando City’s MPAs. To further strengthen PSLA, the project will also provide additional capitalization for their micro-finance project, and assistance in their transition from being a people’s organization into a cooperative. As with all their livelihood enterprises, the PSLA will be reminded that they committed to use portion of their income to sustain the Poro MPA operations.

Northern Lamon Bay, Quezon In Northern Lamon Bay, Quezon, the ISO continues to monitor two of its recently concluded projects in the Polillo Group of Islands namely, 1) ‘Enhancing the Productive and Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Capacities of Rural Women in Luzon’ in Panukulan, Quezon which was implemented with support from the UN Democracy Fund in partnership with PhilDHRRA; and 2) the FFP project entitled ‘Facilitation and Assistance to Samahan ng mga Mangingisda ng San Rafael (SMSR) in Burdeos, Quezon.

The latter is intended to help the SMSR conceptualize a proposal entitled “Adapting Aquasilviculture for Sustainable Livelihood” in the Municipality of Burdeos, Province of Quezon’.

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ISO 2018 Annual Report In Panukulan, Quezon, the two fishers’ associations which the ISO organized namely, the Libo Fishers and Farmers Association (LIFIFA) and the Pagitan Fisheries Association (PFA), continue to conduct organizational activities with minimal support from the ISO. In 2018, the PFA continues its pilot implementation of its mudcrab fattening project in Barangay Pag-itan. Despite the technical problems that it experienced in Photo 5 PFA continues to operate their aquasilviculture mud crab pond and mangrove the first run of this reforestation activities aquasilviculture project, PFA was able to earn Php 4,722.00 from mud crab sale; Php247.50 for fish; and Php60.00 for sugpo. In 2019, the PFA will start the second cropping of its aquasilviculture mud crab pond, taking into consideration the learnings it derived from its first cropping cycle. PFA continues to conduct their monthly meetings to discuss the operations of their livelihood.

Simultaneous with its aquasilviculture project, the PFA continues its reforestation efforts. This 2019, it plans to outplant the nursery-grown seedlings from its mangrove nursery to the perimeter of their pond. This will serve as additional protection for its aquasilviculture pond during typhoons.

Meanwhile, LIFIFA expanded its membership from 30 original members to 180 members, all of whom benefit from the PO’s various livelihood enterprises such as bamboo planting, coconut planting, ginger production, coconut jam production, and mangrove reforestation. The PO is also due to start a coral farming project with support from the Provincial Agriculture Office. LIFIFA’s goal is to implement environment-friendly enterprises that would benefit their whole community. LIFIFA attributes its success in accessing funds from government agencies to the capacity building activities they underwent with ISO. These NGAs are willing to support LIFIFA because of the FA’s track record and skills.

Seeing LIFIFA’s and PFA’s successes, other POs in Panukulan have expressed their desire to be organized by the ISO. Because of this, the ISO, despite the minimum financial resources allocated to the municipality, extended its assistance in the reorganization of Bonbon Fishers and Farmers Association.

It also held consultations with six other barangays and POs in Panukulan namely, Matangkap, Pandan, Balungay, Kinalagti, Bonbon, and Bongliw to gather data needed for preparing project proposals for possible funding. To date, the ISO is developing proposals that would allow it to continue supporting the mangrove management efforts and livelihood enterprises of the PFA and LIFIFA. The ISO is also exploring a mentorship style of community organizing wherein these two POs can serve as mentors to newly formed associations in the other barangays.

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ISO 2018 Annual Report At the municipal level, the MFARMC in Panukulan has been revitalized and is now actively promoting environmental protection and management in the municipality. The LGU of Panukulan has always been supportive of ISO’s CRM efforts in project activities. This is why the initiatives of its partner FOs had been sustained despite limited resources on the part of ISO.

Photo 6 SMSR's logo which encapsulates their advocacy of protecting their resource bases while providing alternative livelihood for their members

In Burdeos, on the other hand, the Samahan ng Mangingisda ng San Rafael (SMSR) continues to conduct its monthly meetings, nursery maintenance and monitoring, and mangrove outplanting with minimal support from ISO. Since 2009, the SMSR has been a long-time partner of ISO in CRM, having participated in projects supported by FFP, ADFI, and UNDP. Despite several projects phasing out of the area and with limited funding support from ISO, the SMSR continued to conduct their regular activities such as community meetings, livelihood enterprises, and mangrove reforestation activities. SMSR also diligently paid their obligations to funders, repaying completely their loan from ADFI for a fish corral project. In 2013, FFP even awarded SMSR as best practice in community-based reforestation initiatives.

The ISO believes that the SMSR is ready to implement a project on its own. As such in 2017, the ISO implemented a facilitation grant from FFP to assist the SMSR in developing a proposal for the establishment of aquasilviculture mud crab pond with a mangrove management component. The result of this is a joint proposal SMSR and ISO submitted to FFP for the establishment of an aquasilviculture mud crab pond in Brgy. San Rafael. However, the proposal was not approved for this year by FFP because of some considerations. Meanwhile however, the SMSR continues to operate its fish corral enterprise on its own as it awaits the possible support for its aquasilviculture pond project.

Another PO in Burdeos, the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Bagong Silang (SMMBS) in Barangay Calutcot also operates a fish corral, coral gardening, and seaweed farming through grants from the government. At present, ISO is preparing proposals to support to the livelihood enterprises of SMSR and SMMBS to be submitted to Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI) and other prospective funders. This is part of ISO’s intent to bid as a local convenor for the Polillio Group of Islands to the Zero Poverty 2030 movement.

San Miguel Bay, Camarines Provinces

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ISO 2018 Annual Report

The project entitled ‘Facilitating Mangrove Management in Siruma, Camarines Sur’ with support from the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PTFCF), now Forest Foundation of the Philippines (FFP) was completed in 2018. It was a multi-year project which aimed to contribute to the protection and enhancement of mangrove forests in select barangays in the municipality of Siruma. It also aimed to establish a learning laboratory on sustainable mangrove management technologies for the rest of the municipalities along San Miguel Bay. At the end of the 3rd year of project Photo 7 The Siruma FOs continue to maintain and stock their mangrove implementation, the FAs were able to nurseries despite weather constraints and organizational challenges produce 111,619 seedlings bringing the overall seedling production to a total of 409,016 seedlings from 2015-2017. These are mainly comprised of pototan (B. sexangula), bakawan bato (R. stylosa), bakawan babae (R. mucronata), bakawan lalaki (R. apiculate), pagatpat (S. alba), pototan lalaki (B. cylindrical), busaing (B. gymnorrhiza), piapi (A. marina), and apiapi (A. officinalis). Overall, the project was able to reforest a total of 97.66 hectares out of the 100 hectares targeted under the project.

In Year 1, the project formed a Local Research Team composed of members of the POs, local government units, and partner academic institutions from the Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) to conduct the Participatory Coastal Resources and Ecological Assessment (PCREA) in Siruma. The results of these studies were consolidated in three papers, namely, 1) Assessment of Mangrove Flora in Siruma, Camarines Sur, Philippines; 2) Prevailing Socio-Economic Conditions of Select Fishing Communities in Siruma, Camarines Sur, Philippines; and 3) Determination of the Mangrove-Fishpond Ratio in Three Barangays of Siruma, Camarines Sur, Philippines through Participatory Spatial Mapping, which were written in collaboration with the CNSC and CBSUA, were finalized and presented in a public forum in Year 3. These are slated for publication in 2019. The results of the PCREA were also used as inputs for the Mangrove Management Plan (MMP) of Siruma, which the ISO will continue to lobby with the LGU of Siruma. This plan seeks to see through and sustain the project’s initiatives on mangrove reforestation.

One of the activities which were supposed to be undertaken in the concluded project supported by the FFP was the establishment of a pagatpat experimental farm. This project was shelved due to lack of available seedlings in 2018 because of mortality due to the exposure to weather elements and predators, as well as ‘transplanting shock’. The ISO and its partner FAs nonetheless continued planting new seedlings of pagatpat for further research and enhancement planting even after the project completion. The ISO also continued documenting its pagatpat propagation experiences since almost all of the seedlings outplanted did not survive. The ISO intends to include the concept paper for the establishment of this experimental farm in its planned project extension/expansion. This experimentation will test the germination rate, growth, and development under controlled conditions.

Knowledge derived from this effort will contribute to the enhancement and diversification of Siruma’s 12

ISO 2018 Annual Report mangrove cover and serve as a model of sustainable mangrove management technologies for the rest of the municipality.

Meanwhile, the ISO continues to support the fisherfolks associations in Siruma, Camarines Sur namely, the Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Vito (SMV), Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Pamintan-Bahao at Banwaan (SAMMAPABBA), Nagkakaisang Samahan ng mga Mangingisda ng Salvacion (NASAMASA), Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Matangdang Siruma (SMMMS), and Samahan ng mga Mangingisda sa Penitan (SMP) in resource management efforts such as mangrove nursery establishment and reforestation, and in social enterprise Photo 8 Outplanting of nursery-grown seedlings continue in Siruma with the development. The members support of the local communities actively participate in mangrove reforestation efforts despite their busy schedules. Last September, 2018, an evaluation and planning workshop was conducted by each of these FAs. The ISO assisted them in preparing their organizational work plans. The plans likewise served as basis for the preparation of an extension proposal for the mangrove management project in Siruma.

To date, the ISO is developing a full-blown proposal the extension/expansion of the mangrove management project in Siruma. If approved, this project will focus on mangrove reforestation, aquasilviculture establishment, pagatpat propagation experimentation, the lobbying for the adoption of the Mangrove Management Plan by the LGU, and the continuation of the dialogue with fish pond claimants for the reversion of their abandoned, unused and unutilized fish ponds into mangrove areas.

New features of the proposals include the establishment of t-fences for the mangrove areas, carbon stock assessment of mangrove areas for CCA-DRR, and development of protocols for reversion of fish ponds. The ISO also intends to promote the 4:1 mangrove-fishpond ratio that will balance the conservation and production in mangrove areas. The baseline study in Siruma yielded that currently, the ratio is at 1.34:1. At the end of the project, the ratio slightly increased to 1.81:1 due to the contribution of reforestation efforts near the fishponds.

Corollary to this, the feasibility study and business plan for the mudcrab aquasilviculture demonstration farm have been finalized. ISO initially partnered with the Federation for Active Coastal Ecosystem Development in San Miguel Bay (FACED-SMB) but because of their lack of interest and their on-going organizational concerns, the ISO decided to partner with SAMMAPABBA and BLGU of Brgy. Homestead in the implementation of this project. The new site for enterprise was offered by an FO member who is also a caretaker of an untitled and illegally developed pond. Through the project, she became aware of the legal implications of such and as such, expressed willingness to convert this into a collectively managed aquasilviculture pond. The MOA with these stakeholders was already signed in 2018.

Although project was slated for implementation in late 2017-2018, issues and concerns pertaining to the tenure of the fish pond delayed project implementation. As the site does not have any legal tenurial instrument at hand, the ISO coordinated with the Community Environment and Natural Resources 13

ISO 2018 Annual Report Office (CENRO-Goa) in Bicol to grant gratuitous permits for the pond in return for assistance in the reforestation of adjoining mangrove areas in Brgy. Homestead. To date, CENRO-Goa has approved the site for aquasilviculture and has agreed to assist the project in determining the proper tenurial instrument that can be granted to the FO that will serve as project cooperator. The technical assistance and monitoring of this project will be included in the proposal for expansion/extension of the project which the ISO will be submitting to FFP for funding consideration.

Meanwhile, FACED-SMB is undergoing organizational challenges at the moment. The livelihood revolving fund of the federation has not been utilized for almost 3 years now. Further, the federation cannot come up with any sustainable and concrete plans on how they will revolve and grow the livelihood fund. These dynamics affected the other member-organizations who want to avail of loans for their projects. Because of these, the ISO decided to withdraw the management of the LRF from FACED-SMB and administer the fund directly. In withdrawing the fund from FACED-SMB, the ISO intends to open the said fund to the other partner FOs of the ISO in the three other areas where it is operating.

Coron Bay, Palawan In 2018, the ISO continued the full-blown implementation of the Phil-Am Fund supported project entitled ‘Promoting Participatory Island Development Strategy in Culion, Palawan’. During this period, the POs and other local stakeholders who attended the capacity building activities in 2017 were able to apply their knowledge and skills in natural resources management for mangrove reforestation and MPA establishment. The POs’ profiles and organizational diagnoses (OD) were also updated and completed. Through learning by doing, the ISO assisted the organizational development and honed the CRM capacities of the Baldat Fisherfolk and Farmers Association (BAFFA), Samahan ng mga may Makabagong Photo 9 The ISO conducted IECs with the local communities to instill the importance of mangroves Kabuhayan ng San Ignacio (SAMAKASI), Samahan ng mga Responsableng Mamamayan ng Galoc (SAREMAGA), Hugpong Mananagat ng Binudac (HUMABI), Nagkakaisang Samahan ng mga Mangingisdang Nagmamalasakit sa Likas na Yaman ng Libis (NYSMNLYBIS), and KabelKabel Catuldan Community Fisherfolk and Farmers Association (KCCFFA). All of the POs participated diligently in the CRM project activities but their organizational capacities need to be further honed.

While all the POs assisted by the project are all functional, they still rely heavily on NGOs like the ISO and the Simbahan Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) to conduct their monthly meetings and resolve organizational issues.

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ISO 2018 Annual Report

In term of biodiversity improvement, the project mapped a total of 66.12 hectares of mangrove reforestation areas in Culion through remote sensing (Google Satellite and QGIS).

Around 38.38 hectares of these were validated and groundtruthed. From these, 60 hectares are targeted for reforestation. For 2018, a total of 188,954 mangrove propagules, mostly of the Rhizophora species, were outplanted in an estimated 62.982 hectares. All of the seedlings outplanted came from the 4 mangrove nurseries established by the project in barangays Osmena, Baldat, Galoc, Photo 10 PO members participated in the mangrove outplaning in Culion and Binudac. Nursery-grown seedlings have been shown to have higher survival rates than those planted from wildlings. The average survival rate of the seedlings was 85-90%. The POs planted site-appropriate and nursery grown seedlings in their reforestation sites. The project engaged the local communities in the target barangays, such as beneficiaries of 4Ps, school teachers and their students, among others to participate in mangrove reforestation activities. Information and education campaigns about mangroves were conducted for the participants of the reforestation activities to instill in them the value of these resources for their communities.

Meanwhile, a total of 897.4062 hectares of proposed MPAs and fish sanctuaries in 7 sites in Barangays Libis (Bugor Sand Island and Quaming Island MPAs), Binudac (Sitio Similic), Galoc (Sitio Nihad), Baldat (Punta Dinamita), Osmeùa (Bulokbulokan-Tampel), Malaking Patag (Kaniki-Katuldan) had been validated and assessed by BFAR IV-A with assistance from the ISO. Around 352.86 hectares of these were demarcated with marker buoys under the project for the first 3 Marine Protected Areas of Bugor Sand Island, Cuaming, and Binudac. The Barangay Councils in the remaining four sites drafted resolutions acknowledging ISO’s role in coming up with technical descriptions of these MPAs and urging the Municipal LGU of Culion to declare these sites as fish sanctuaries. The ISO also partnered with the Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) to draft the MPA Management Plan for Bugor Sand Island MPA which they lobbied jointly to the Sangguniang Bayan for adoption.

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ISO 2018 Annual Report The ISO and its local partners lobbied for the inclusion of the Bugor MPA Management Plan and the additional 4 fish sanctuaries in the Municipal-Wide MPA Ordinance which the LGU is crafting.

If enacted, this will facilitate coastal resources management in 14 coastal barangays of Culion. So far, the Municipal LGU has accepted the proposal. It has also asked ISO’s assistance in the consolidation of these efforts.

Corollary to this, the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) that shall implement the 2016 Bugor MPA Ordinance has also been formed. Key members of the ISO Photo 11 Local partners, including other NGOs, collaborated in deploying the markers around the MPAs assisted POs form part of the MFARMC and its Bantay Dagat arm. The ISO assisted in the organizational diagnosis and the drafting of the Interal Rules and Regulations of the Council. The MFARMC and the Bantay Dagat were also trained in fishery law enforcement by BFAR IVB through the assistance of ISO. They have since conducted 4 patrolling activities in Bugor, Cuaming, and Binudac MPAs. Approximately 600 stakeholders of Culion participated in the CRM activities of the project. They participated in the capacity building activities, mangrove reforestation activities, MPA establishment.

They were also informed about the status of their coastal and marine resources through the conduct, feedback, and validation of the PCREA; conduct of trainings and IECs on environmental conservation.

The ISO also enjoined the stakeholders to attend the Sustainable Development Planning of Culion. The results of PCREA were used as inputs to the barangay-based plans which can serve as sustainability mechanisms of the project’s efforts.

The ISO and SLB have also facilitated the establishment of the social enterprises of the POs. Five of the six livelihood enterprises involve fish processing and drying. HUMABI has since started operating its fish drying project and has already sold some of its products. SAREMAGA is waiting for the right season (month) to start its livelihood enterprise while HUMABI-Berg is awaiting the completion of the fishing gears that its members will be using for such. KCCFFA is developing a proposal for an alternative livelihood to avoid overfishing in their area and competition with other similar market in fish processing.

Photo 12 PO members weighing their dried pusit product which ISO helped sell in Manila during the Christmas season

BAFFA has proposed a mangrove eco-tour and aquasilviculture mud crab pond. However, when its capacities were assessed, it was realized that the PO needs more preparation in running a mangrove eco-tour; hence, the mudcrab project was prioritized for operation instead. BAFFA already completed its proposal and business plan for this. However, the PO has encountered a tenurial conflict with another PO for the project’s proposed site.

BAFFA and ISO are currently addressing this. In the meantime, 16

ISO 2018 Annual Report BAFFA is exploring other possible livelihood enterprises as it awaits the resolution of this issue.

Nonetheless, ISO and BAFFA intend to pursue mangrove eco-tour that combines environmental protection and sustainable tourism in the future.

To ensure the sustainability of these enterprises and the grants given to them, the ISO established a Livelihood Revolving Fund (LRF) that will manage the reflows from the loan repayments of the POs. The Culion Livelihood Ecosystem (CLE) is set to manage the LRF of the POs.

C. Institutional Support Division The ISO took on the task of documenting the progress of the project areas in La Union, Bicol, Quezon, and Palawan through conducting Program Field Reviews (PFRs) in all four project areas in 2018. The PFRs served to evaluate the progress of the projects and gather data to write for the reports and other documents. These reports were submitted to program implementers, management, and project funders such as Caltex Foundation, CPI, UNDEF, FFP, SLB, and USAID for feedbacking purposes. Some were submitted on time while some were delayed, nevertheless, the data from these documents were likewise utilized by other units of the institute for project proposal making and/or for research purposes.

Quarterly progress reports were written to monitor the progress of the project’s deliverables. These progress reports also included issues experienced during the project implementation as well as the plans of actions the field staff would take to address these issues. Three terminal reports were written, one for FFP-Siruma, another for the FFP-SMSR, and the last is for the Phil-Am Fund project. These terminal reports detailed the whole development of the project since its implementation. Other documents and attachments were also written to provide references for these reports. Stories of Interests (SOI) were also written; these SOIs are narratives that came from the project itself. The project partners, activities, and other experiences in the project are shared not just to the funders but also to other audiences as well.

The ISD likewise assumed the task of developing proposals for continuation of project activities and for replication of ISO’s efforts in Siruma. The proposed project aims to expand the coverage of the project to include Bgrgy Homestead, where the aquasilviculture is located, the establishment of t-fences for the existing mangrove reforestation areas, carbon stock assessment of mangrove areas for CCA-DRR, and the development of protocols for reversion of fish ponds. Under this proposed project, the ISO will seek to consolidate the initiatives of the national government agencies in Siruma for mangrove management to avoid the duplication of efforts. In connection with this proposal, ISO’s partner POs went through evaluation workshops to assess their participation in the first phase of the project and affirm their commitment for the second phase.

For Quezon, proposal to support the livelihood projects of two FAs in Burdeos (aquasivilculture mud crab pond for SMSR and aquaculture for SMMBS) is being developed for submission to the Assisi Development Foundation, Inc (ADFI). Alongside this, the ISO also intends to apply as area convenor for the Zero Extreme Poverty (ZEP) movement in Burdeos.

The ISD is also developing a proposal for submission to the FPE to scale up the PVCNA and CCA-DRR project implemented in Jomalig. As the UNDEF project has the same components, expansion of the project to Panukulan is also being planned. The UNDEF-supported project aimed to strengthen the production and CCA-DRR capacities of rural women in Panukulan. Like in Jomalig, a PVCNA study was conducted in the area which became the basis for updating their BDRRMC and CRM Plans. The ISO will be proposing to expand and scale up the PVCNA studies conducted in 5 barangays in Jomalig and 2 barangays in Panukulan, including its replication to other barangays, updating of hazard maps, and 17

ISO 2018 Annual Report cascading of CCA-DRR IECs in the municipalities. The proposal shall also include activities to mainstream CCA-DRR into local resource management plans of the municipalities (e.g., CRM Plans). Trainings to address climate change induced disasters will be provided to the communities. Mangrove reforestation, as a form of climate change mitigation, will also be proposed. Establishment of climate-friendly livelihood enterprises will also be explored for Jomalig while the enterprises in Panukalan will be scaledup. Prior to this, the ISO shall conduct an impact evaluation in Jomalig to assess the outcomes of the interventions conducted by the project which ended almost 4 years ago. The data gathered can help in the development of the new proposal.

In 2018, the ISO fielded a proposal to the Australian Embassy Direct Assistance Program for the scalein or expansion of the PVCNA study in 4 additional barangays in Panukulan, Quezon, namely, Balungay, Matancap, Pandan, and Kinalagti. Scoping in the barangays yielded that they lack profiles and data on socio-economic, ecological resource bases, hazards, and vulnerabilities. The POs in the barangays are also still new and don’t have experience in accessing support from the government. The proposal aims to improve the capacities and enhance the participation of the fisherfolks organizations in resource governance and climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction management. LIFIFA and PFA will also serve as mentors to the new FOs that will be strengthened. The ISO is still waiting for response from the Australian Embassy for this.

For La Union, the ISO and Chevron Philippines signed a sunset agreement extending the project for another six months until June 2019 to ensure the sustainability and continuation of the project’s initiatives. A full blown proposal that shall focus on integrating solid waste management (SWM) with CRM is also being developed for submission to for USAID’s Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Program to complement these. The proposal is at 50% completion. Likewise for Culion, the ISO is developing proposals that integrate SWM in biodiversity protection.

D. Research and Publication Division The ISO finalized the three Siruma mangrove papers discussed above and presented these at the final public conference last February, 2018. These will be submitted for journal publications later on.

Meanwhile, the FPE-Jomalig monographs are also in process of being completed. Books 2: SocioEconomic Conditions and Community Perspectives of Climate Dependent Fishing and Farming Families in Jomalig Island, 3: The Role of Mangroves and Coral Reefs in Jomalig Island’s Coastal Protection and Fisheries Production, and 5: Evaluative Case Study of the ‘Capacitating Vulnerable Communities towards Sustainable Natural Resource Production and Management’ Project. had been completed.

Books 1: Operationalizing the Risk Equation in Small Island Communities: The Case of Jomalig Island and 4: Participatory Climate Risk Analysis in Jomalig, Quezon are currently being finalized. The monographs are outcomes of a participatory vulnerability, capacity and needs assessment conducted in Jomalig.

The ISO also assisted the project partners in Siruma in formulating their Mangrove Management Plan using the results of the 3 mangrove papers and mangrove maps of Siruma as references. As a result, 3 barangay-level and 1 municipal-level plans were finalized and are currently being lobbied to the LGU for implementation.

In Burdeos, the ISO assisted barangay San Rafael in formulating their updated Mangrove Management Plan as well for the FFP facilitation grant. The Plan is going to be lobbied to the Barangay Council in 2019. In Poro, the PCREA technical report and the perception survey about MPA awareness is close to completion.

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ISO 2018 Annual Report In Culion, the results of the PCREA were validated to the project partners. The final barangay profiles were the used as inputs during the planning workshop on formulating a Sustainable Development Plan (SDP). Six barangay-level and 1 municipal-level plans were finalized and presented to the stakeholders.

The LGU of Culion committed to fund some activities identified in the SDP. To popularize the results of the project, the ISO has produced the final version of the Siruma video which documented the experiences of the FAs in implementing mangrove management. Two other videos, one about mangroves and the other focused on marine protected areas, were developed for the Culion project which shall serve as IEC materials.

The ISO also participated in Ateneo TALAB twice to share learning experiences in conducting CRM in the areas. The workshop in February was entitled “Community-Based Strategies for Climate Action” while the workshop on October was entitled “Pag May Iniwanan, Walang Katarungan: Understanding Stakeholders for Just and Democratic Decision-Making”. The students listened to the experiences of ISO’s partner fisherfolks in CCA-DRR and learned how to conduct a risk registry and community-based mapping. For the second lecture, the students experienced how to conduct stakeholders’ analysis on the ground. The students were observed to be interested in these local solutions and participated fully in the activities.

Meanwhile, the ISO also updated its own GIS and PCREA databases in 2018. This supplied spatial information to various end users such as in proposal development, IEC production, and report preparation. Related to this, the ISO also trained stakeholders in Culion and Burdeos in basic GPS operation to assist them in their resource and mangrove mapping.

The Research Division also attended several activities of its partner networks such as the NGOs for Fisheries Reform and Panagat. Some of the activities ISO include Fisherfolk Settlement and Community Fish Landing Centers, Municipal Water Delineation, Fishery Governance, IUUF, AUUF, Municipal Catch Documentation and Traceability. The ISO is also part of the SJSA, PhilDHRRA,

E. Human Resource Division To ensure that the institute has the necessary manpower equipped with the necessary KSAs to implement its programs and manage the facilities, the ISO recruited the following personnel: - 2 Programs Assistants - 2 ISD Assistants - 1 Research Assistant - 1 Research Officer - 1 HRD and Services Assistant - 1 Finance Clerk - 2 Services Utility Personnel Meanwhile, Officers-in-Charge were assigned to the ISD and Programs Division at the beginning of the year. In July, they were designated as ISD Coordinator and Acting Manager for the Programs Division.

Three contractual personnel were also absorbed as full-time staff. On the other hand, three long-time ISO staffs from the Services, ISD, and Research Divisions retired in 2018 while 6 other personnel from the Services and Programs Division resigned.

To thresh out internal concerns of the divisions and strengthen their relationships with one another, three team building sessions were conducted per grouping (ExeCom, Services and Admin, and Programs and Technical) which culminated in an Institute-wide session. Under staff formation, the ISO in

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ISO 2018 Annual Report coordination with JJCICSI conducted two learning sessions on Catholic Social Teachings this year. A retreat was also conducted in coordination with the Ateneo Campus Ministry Office.

To further hone the staffs’ KSAs, select ISO personnel has been sent to trainings on program development and proposal writing, resource mobilization, policy advocacy, strategic planning, and NGO housekeeping (HRD and financial policies). They are expected to re-echo their learning to the rest of the Institute in 2018. This is to ensure that the knowledge acquired by those sent to training is also disseminated to the rest of the ISO staff. It is hoped that this will make up for the limited resources allocated for staff development.

F. Revenue Generation The ISO projected an interest income of Php 1,500,000.00 from its investments. For the period of January to December, 2018, however, ISO’s interest income from its investment is only Php1,147,470.17. Its unrealized loss from trading stocks is Php 1,249,666.24. Likewise, the ISO projected a gross revenue of Php13.5M from the use of the ISO facilities for the period of January to December 2018. It has earned only Php12,457,112.00 for the said period.

G. Networking and Advocacy In 2018, the ISO as Board member of the PhilDHRRA Network and of the NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR), became actively involved in advocating policies that promote not only the integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in sustainable integrated area development, the national land use act, and the advancement of the rights of the municipal fishers at the national level. ISO likewise participated in forums on the establishment of voluntary guidelines for the municipal catch documentation and traceability system for the fishery sector, FARMCs and Bantay Dagat strengthening, settlements for fishers, issuances and determination of tenurial instruments for community-based mangrove reforestation and livelihood projects, etc. In 2018, the ISO also became an active member of the Zero Extreme Poverty (ZEP) 2030 Movement which seeks to eradicate extreme poverty by year 2030. ISO became a member of the Agriculture and Fisheries Cluster as well as the Environmental Cluster of the said movement. As member of both Clusters, the ISO contributed to the identification and refinement of poverty indicators of the Coalition. The ISO Director was likewise appointed as board member of the Peace and Equity Foundation in May, 2018.

The ISO has also registered in PhilGEPS to qualify as service provider for government agencies and has sought PCNC accreditation and NUPAS. ISO also acquired a PADOR number to qualify to participate in call for proposals of the European Union.

H. Issues and Concerns 1. Closeout of projects – The ISO has to contend with the closeout of three of its project in 2018: the Chevron Philippines-supported project in La Union; the Culion Phil-Am Fund program; and the FFP-funded Siruma mangrove project. While the ISO intends to continue the efforts in the area, it can only do so at a limited scale in 2019 with its own resources.

2. No major proposals approved – Related to the above, only a sunset agreement to extend the Poro project for another 6 months was approved. Due to lack of time and other work load, no other 20

ISO 2018 Annual Report major proposals were developed to continue the programs in the other areas. The ISO also has to contend with the demands and requirements of funding institutions when developing proposals.

Nevertheless, program development will be intensified this year and the ISO will also work with its partner NGOs for consortium-type of proposals.

3. Staff turnover – 2018 also saw the retirement and resignation of core project and technical personnel of the ISO. On the other hand, most of the new recruits had no prior experience in development work and their learning curve took some time. Most of the personnel had to multitask to deliver the outputs required by the funders. But through cooperation and willingness to learn from each other, the ISO was able to complete its task for the year.

4. Resource generation – The ISO facilities, particularly the Residence Hall, also had a decrease in the number of clients. Out of the target 50 dormers, the ISO only had 35 dormers. The transient clients and the institutions who booked the Walter Hogan Conference Center compensated for the lack of dormers. The Services Division’s reputation for their good service is one reason why clients return to use the ISO facilities.

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