The Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project (FishCoRe) will launch its Fourth Implementation Support Mission across key regions from April 24 to March 7, 2025, addressing urgent challenges faced by coastal communities amid climate uncertainties.
The mission will traverse the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao to evaluate project progress and strengthen support for fishing communities.
Mission objectives and community impact
The support team will conduct comprehensive evaluations of recent milestones and deliverables while identifying and resolving implementation bottlenecks. Direct engagement with coastal communities stands as a cornerstone of the mission, enabling the team to gather firsthand insights and improve coordination at local, regional, and central levels.
Voices from the coast
The project’s impact resonates through the stories of local fisherfolk. In Bolinao, Pangasinan, Cherilyn Medrano works alongside her husband, crafting fishing nets and selling their catch. “We’re lucky when we have a good catch, but it doesn’t always happen,” she says. “Some days it’s tough. But we do what we can to make ends meet.”
Filmar Mariano from Laoag, Ilocos Norte, demonstrates similar resilience. When weather prevents fishing, he participates in coastal cleanups. “It’s better than having nothing to bring home,” he explains.
In Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Johnny Cariaga exemplifies adaptability. “When the waves are too much, I get into other businesses like hog raising; I’m even a local barber sometimes,” he says, describing his diverse income strategies during challenging weather conditions.
For these community members, FishCoRe represents more than an aid project — it offers hope and practical pathways to sustainable livelihoods. The initiative focuses on improving food security, building resilient ecosystems, and strengthening community bonds, recognizing that coastal resilience depends on both environmental and social factors.
Project overview and scope
FishCoRe, launched in 2023, represents a seven-year initiative to enhance fisheries management and boost production value across the Philippines. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources leads the project with support from the World Bank and Department of Agriculture agencies.
The initiative targets Fisheries Management Areas 6 and 9, encompassing 11 regions and 24 provinces. These areas were selected based on climate change vulnerability, fisheries conditions, and investment potential. By its completion in 2029, FishCoRe aims to benefit more than 1.15 million people in the fisheries sector.
Building future resilience
The project extends beyond traditional fishing support, focusing on developing systems that strengthen community resilience against environmental challenges and changing weather patterns. The Fourth Implementation Support Mission represents a crucial step toward ensuring a sustainable fisheries sector.
As coastal communities face mounting challenges, FishCoRe stands as a beacon of hope for the Philippine fishing industry. Through its comprehensive approach to livelihood diversification, ecosystem protection, and community strengthening, the project works to secure a sustainable future for those who depend on the sea for their survival.
