Philippine fisherfolk are not only among the poorest sectors in the Philippines; they are also the most vulnerable to natural hazards and extreme weather conditions. In 2020 alone, three consecutive typhoons devastated Lagonoy Gulf, heavily affecting fifteen municipalities. Whole fishing communities lost not only their homes but also their means of livelihood, their boats.
World Wide Fund (WWF) Philippines has worked with the fishers of Lagonoy Gulf for over a decade in establishing the country’s first sustainable Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified handline tuna fishery. Sustainable tuna fishing is the practice in this area. They are the country’s first small-scale fishers to achieve MSC certification.
As committed partners, WWF and the tuna fishing communities collaborated on ways to “Build Back Better” post-disaster, with the latest efforts anchored on replacing the wooden fishing boats that were lost or damaged during the typhoons.
The “Build Back Better” boats, co-designed by industrial designer Mark Victor Bautista and the tuna fishermen, are an innovation combining traditional know-how and state-of-the-art/best practice design technology. Compared to traditional bangkas that are made of tree trunk, solid wood, and plywood with bamboo katig, the new boats, including the katig, will be made of a combination of fiberglass and steel, making for sturdier boats that can withstand increasing storm intensities. When the front of the boat hits the waves, the energy is absorbed and dissipated throughout the entire hull.
The boats will also have features that will help maintain the quality of tuna catch and support other conditions of the tuna fishery’s sustainable certification.
WWF hopes to raise Php 21 million to deliver 27 units of these Build Back Better boats. One new boat is equivalent in capacity to three traditional fishing boats and would translate to support for more than 200 families in 15 municipalities in the Lagonoy Gulf area.
Celebrity couple and WWF-Philippines Ambassador Pia Wurtzbach and WWF-USA Ambassador Jeremy Jauncey went on a trip to Albay in late April to meet the Lagonoy Gulf fishermen and see for themselves how the “Build Back Better” campaign is helping fishers improve their livelihood by applying environmental sustainability principles. Pia and Jeremy also went on one of the Build Back Better boats to see up-close the benefits of its design and material.
“This trip to the Lagonoy Gulf has not only been educational for me and Pia but also affirming for us. One boat at a time, we can help change the lives of several fishers and their communities through the ‘Build Back Better’ campaign,” added Jeremy Jauncey.
Ms. Katherine Custodio, WWF-Philippines Executive Director, also says “We hope that many more people, companies, and organizations join in this Build Back Better campaign because of the long-lasting and transformational impact we can make together. Our experience working with the Lagonoy Gulf fishers validates a model for sustainable fishing that has improved community livelihood. We all need to support communities that are at the forefront of addressing environmental issues”.
For parties who are interested in supporting the “Build Back Better” Boats campaign, visit Pia Wurtzbach and Jeremy Jauncey’s SimplyGiving fundraising page at simplygiving.com/event/pia-jeremy-wwf or reach out to Campaign Lead Ismael John Cabigao (icabigao@wwf.org.ph).
To know more about WWF-Philippines and its initiatives, please visit https://wwf.org.ph/