by Amor Ledon T. Bajarla

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – To identify and address bottlenecks in the implementation of the FishCoRe’s Modern and Resilient Livelihood Interventions (MARLIN) subcomponents 2.1 and 2.3 in FMA-9 Coordinating Unit (FCU) 10, a team of personnel from the World Bank, National Project Management Office (NPMO), Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) of Misamis Oriental, and the Regional Project Implementing Unit (RPIU) 9 held a three-day technical mission with emphasis on the Environmental and Social Framework from April 14-16 in selected pilot municipalities in Misamis Oriental (MisOr). 

Leading the Mission were World Bank’s Environmental Safeguards Specialist Mylene Ana and Social Safeguards Specialist Karen Joy Mamarin, while NPMO’s Social Safeguards Specialists Rina Dumol and Clint Brian Gallaron, Environmental Safeguard Specialist Janice Cubo, PFO-MisOr Officer Arlene Novo and her staff, RPIU-9 and FCU-10 personnel, complement the team. 

The activity focused on assessing the progress and sustainability of the proposed livelihood sub-projects from the four beneficiary associations in Jasaan, Talisayan, and Gingoog City.

During the project site visits, the team discussed with the beneficiaries, together with representatives from the concerned Local Government Units (LGU), the updates on their subproject documentary requirements. They also tackled the issues and concerns raised during subproject scoping sessions in 2024 on the following proposals: 

1. Bobontugan Small Livelihood Fisherfolk Association (BSLFA): Two High-Density Poly-ethylene (HDPE) Rabbit Fish Cages
2. Punta Santiago Fishermen and Women Boneless Bangus Association: Bangus Deboning Pre-Fabricated Processing Facility
3. Talisayan Fish Landing and Brokers Association: Ice Plant and Fish Landing Complex
4. Baybay Lunao Sardines Fishers Association: Two HDPE Rabbit Fish Cages

Throughout the mission, discussions focused on the environmental and social safeguards being implemented in line with World Bank guidelines. Further, the team reviewed the associations’ compliance with environmental policies, examined social inclusivity practices, and assessed the impact of their livelihood support interventions.

Key to the visits was gathering feedback directly from the fisherfolk to better understand their challenges and successes in implementing community-based projects.

Speaking on behalf of the visitors, Ana stressed to the beneficiaries how crucial their inputs and insights are in the development and implementation of the project.

“Sa pamamagitan ng inyong mga katanungan, pananaw at pagkaka-intindi tungkol sa project, ay mabibigyan natin ito ng kaukulang attention para mas magiging successful at sustainable ang napili ninyong proyekto.”

[“Through your questions, views and understanding about the project, we will be able to give it the appropriate attention so that the project you have chosen will be more successful and sustainable.”]

The beneficiaries, on their end, expressed their gratitude to the team. They also signified their commitment in ensuring the success and sustainability of their proposed projects.

BSLFA president Eduardo Castro, summed up the beneficiaries’ sentiments when he said, “Ang amo lang ikapasalig sa FishCoRe nga ang project nga ila ihatag, amo gayod ampingan kay basin mao ra ning way nga mabulahan kaming mga kabos.”

[“We can only assure FishCoRe that the project they will provide will be taken cared of because maybe this is the only way we, the poor, will be blessed.”]

To conclude the mission, an Exit Meeting was held in Cagayan de Oro City, serving as a platform to present the team’s initial observations, share recommendations, and discuss next steps for capacity development and sustainability.

Moving forward, the RPIU-9 and FCU-10 were encouraged to capacitate the beneficiaries, including youth and women members, in both financial management and technical training to ensure long-term project success.