In 2001-2003, Kaunsayan Formation for Community Development (KAFCODE) implemented a Community-Based Coastal Resource Management (CBCRM) project in selected rural areas in Oriental Mindoro, to ensure the health and sustainability of the coastal environment of the province. 

One of the components of the project is mangrove and fish sanctuary management and artificial reef establishment.  The fisherfolks in the area experienced an increase in fish catch by 30%.  However, all related infrastructures were destroyed when successive typhoons hit the area.  Fisherfolks experienced a decline in fish catch putting heavy pressure on the fishing grounds.

In March 2008, this project was replicated in the municipality of Bansud, approximately 85kms south of the capital Calapan City.  According to an underwater evaluation conducted by the Provincial Fisheries Office, less than 10% of live corals remain in the fishing grounds of a small coastal barangay of Aplaya, Salcedo in Bansud.    In response to this, KAFCODE undertook a one year project with support from the Australian Embassy, Manila through their Direct Aid Program (DAP) to establish concrete reef blocks or artificial reef modules not only to rehabilitate the depleted fishing grounds but also to translate meaningful gains in resource management and conservation in order to meet the economic needs of stakeholders, particularly this small fishing community.

With the assistance of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the exact coordinates of the designated marine reserve was identified.  The marine reserve measures 3.09 hectares, the core reserve measures 116m from the different stations; the distance between stations 1-2 measures 140m; stations 2-3 is 369m; stations 3-4 505m and stations 4-1 is 676m.  Within the reserve lies 179 concrete reef blocks reinforced by some live corals, which were collected in nearby shores and deployed in depths of approximately 15 metres.  The reef blocks contain holes on each side and the crevices provide habitat, shelter and breeding grounds for various marine species, while the corals provide food and additional shelter.

The presence of artificial reefs allowed the restoration of the marine ecosystem which in turn increased stock of diverse fish species for maximum sustainable fishing yield, thereby also addressing economic needs of fisherfolks in the area.

Together with the community organizer, my role as VIDA volunteer involved community consultation and focus group discussions with stakeholders, coordination with barangay councils and municipal line agencies, project presentations, writing funding proposals, and project monitoring.  We formed an association of People’s Organization (PO) with 35 fisherfolk members – ISDA, which literally means “fish” (Isang Samahang Dagat sa Aplaya, Salcedo) or  Association of Fisherfolks in Aplaya, Salcedo. 

Due to the absence of coastal protection and preservation programs from the municipal government of Bansud, we assisted our PO in drawing up action plans to enforce fishery laws through the issuance of a barangay ordinance.  KAFCODE has committed to regulate fishing in the area and encourage fisherfolks, through the conduct of training and seminars and to participate in the conservation and management of the area’s coastal resources.  Together with the fishing community, KAFCODE also identified and provided skills training to enable beneficiaries to engage in policy formulation, sectoral capability building, partnership building and advocacy.

Although the benefits of this project to the stakeholders was not felt straightaway (as they had to wait at least 5 months for fish stocks to increase), members of the association continued to enforce the barangay ordinance and through their trainings, became informed advocates on community-based coastal resource management for the rest of the community.  

Some of the highlights of my work included being able to bond with community members and experiencing many joys among the long days and hard work.  I was always humbled by the dedication and active role of this small fishing community.  In many occasions I witnessed “bayanihan” in action (a term that refers to a spirit of communal unity and cooperation to achieve a common objective) during and after project implementation.  Through their sense of project ownership, it is possible that in the future they can become a self-sustaining and an active community.

The community has no electricity so the lateness of the evening depended upon how long the solar lantern’s power could extend, so we (project staff, community organizers and children from the community) would sit around in the balcony telling stories until the power runs out.    In the early mornings I could be seen doing my 6am swim so I was affectionately known as “Dyesebel”, after a popular mermaid character in the Philippines.

Almost 19 months after we dropped the concrete reef blocks into the marine reserve, many varieties of fish such as “Lapu-lapu”, “Dalagang Bukid”, “Maya-Maya” and many others had been sighted.   The ISDA members continue to maintain the reserve by making sure other fisherfolks observe fishery laws and fish only within the boundaries of the reserve.  They regularly monitor the reef blocks to see if they are positioned well in the sea bed, especially after typhoons have passed in their coastal area.  

The president of ISDA, Eduardo Rocero says “We are truly grateful to DAP for giving us the opportunity to establish this project..we are happy because we thought that there were no fishes left to catch, so when we see them jumping out and swimming around the artificial reef, it gives us hope that our children will have a future...Even if they do not end up finishing their schooling, at the very least they will still have fish to catch”.


For more information about Kaunsayan Formation for Community Development (KAFCODE), please send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact the office on +63 43 286 7190.