On June 30, 2020, the Siruma Mangrove Area won 1st runner-up in the 1st Best Mangrove Award in the Bicol Region organized by DENR V. It was recognized as one of Bicol Region’s best managed mangrove conservation sites and considered as a best practice model for existing and future mangrove protection initiatives. This would not have been possible without the persistence of the women of Siruma, especially Jinky whose dedication to environmental protection is relentless.
Tag Archives: Community Champions
Battling Life’s Uncertainties through Compassion
The greatness of a community can be measured by the compassion of the residents towards the environment. As an organization, the PSLA envisions a disciplined, peaceful, and united community that protects the seas of Barangay Poro. Through collaboration with the public and private sectors, PSLA promotes sustainable fishing and environment-friendly livelihood activities not just in Barangay Poro, but also in other barangays of San Fernando City.
The Culion Livelihood Ecosystem
As their name implies, CLE is an ecosystem wherein the individual members contribute to the growth of each other. The CLE members wanted to overcome the individualistic or ‘kanya-kanya’ mentality of the residents of Culion which is why they strove to establish this partnership. Working for the economic development of their members and partners in the community, the CLE has been identified to provide the link between environmental conservation and livelihood development.
Fisher of Men and Women
There is greater value on investing in men and women for others, and imbuing them with a broader sense of perspective so that they too will share in God’s mission. As the president of LIFIFA at present, the former illegal fisher now teaches sustainable fishing and the protection of natural resources. He also now advocates/pushes for the rights of the fishers in their community.
Community Leadership for Mangrove Conservation
Kagawad Leona Spad, a single parent to four kids, a community leader in Barangay Baldat, and president of the Baldat Fishers and Farmers Association (BAFFA), has been an inspiration to the community since ISO’s first project in Culion. She lives in Baldat which houses abundant mangroves converging into a green belt which protects its residents from inclement weather and disasters.
A Life of Service in the Time of COVID
To many, living in the islands is synonymous to a slow-paced and simple lifestyle. For locals who live in the island for generations however, living in the islands can also be synonymous to poor access to social services. This becomes evident specifically in times of crisis such as a public health emergency caused by a deadly virus such as the SARS-CoV-2. For some people however, this serves as a motivation to dedicate their lives to be men or women for others.
Institute of Social Order 