Brief Organizational History

In September 17-19, 1998, around 20 fisherfolk leaders gathered in Jandayan Island, Getafe, Bohol in a three-day activity dubbed as the “Unity Conference of village-based MPA’s in the Philippines”. Its objectives were: 1) to define community-based marine sanctuaries on the perspective of the fishers; 2) to discuss the requirements and processes of establishing community-based marine sanctuaries; 3) to gain insights from the experiences of other communities; and 4) to make preliminary discussions on the formation of a network of community-based marine sanctuaries in the Philippines. This unity conference was initiated and funded by Project Seahorse in partnership with Haribon Foundation.

The activity came-up with two major highlights: 1) identified basis of unity anchored on common issues and problems encountered while implementing marine sanctuaries; and 2) defined community-based marine sanctuary in the context of management. In the same instance, the group also identified some pieces of realizations: that the fishers acknowledged the catalysts’ crucial role and untiring efforts in raising community awareness and involvement in order for marine sanctuary programs to succeed; and, that the Catalysts do not and can not stay long in the community. Sooner or later the community will be left alone by themselves to continue what have been started. Yet, not all of these communities could stand the challenges at hand. They always look for nurturing hands to provide them with the necessary expertise and guidance that the catalysts provided them”.

Thus, the group decided to create an alliance in order to: 1) have an institution they can call their own; 2) provide them technical, legal assistance and moral guidance whenever the needs arises; and 3) have an institution that will advance their issues at a higher level of discussion. A legitimate institution that will bring the plight of the small fishers in pursuit of justice, equitable benefits and tenure to their means of survival.

Meanwhile, in 1996 - 1998, Haribon Foundation initiated a project called the Inventory of Marine Protected Areas of the Philippines funded by the International Development Research Centre-Canada (IDRC-Canada). A three-year research initiative that eventually became the guiding instrument in the formative period of a national alliance of community-based managed marine protected areas and fish sanctuaries.

In March 16-19, 1999, the “First National Convention and General Assembly of Managers of Community-based Marine Protected Areas in the Philippines”, was held in Cebu City. Around 60 leaders of small fishers representing 33 marine sanctuaries attended it. The Alliance was formally established and called PAMANA KA SA PILIPINAS which means Pambansang Alyansa ng Maliliit na Mangingisda at Komunidad na Nangangalaga ng Karagatan at Sangtuaryo sa Pilipinas or National Alliance of Small Fishers and Communities Managing the Coast and Marine Sanctuaries of the Philippines. Its 1st Pamana National Assembly was funded by Rockefellers Brothers Fund.

In November of the same year, PAMANA KA SA PILIPINAS was registered to the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippine Government (SEC Reg. No. A199918818). In the year 2000, three Regional Congresses for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao was held:

Visayas Regional Congress in March 19-21 increased its membership by 55%, from 20 to 31 marine sanctuaries;

Mindanao Regional Congress in July 10-13 increased its membership by 542%, from 7 to 45 marine sanctuaries;

Luzon Regional Congress in December 8-11 increased its membership by 143%, from 7 to 17 marine sanctuaries.

Those series of regional assemblies and leaders’ meetings were held with support from Project Seahorse, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, John D. & Catherine T. McArthur Foundation, Friedrich Ehbert Stiftung, the Coastal Resource Management Project-USAID, Oxfam-UK and other local sources like the Foundation for Philippine Environment.

In June 5-7, 2001, the 2nd Pamana National Congress was held in Cebu City. Consequently, this 2nd National Assembly became one of the major instrumental factors which pressured the signing of the Department Order # 17 (DAO #17) by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). By virtue of the R.A 8550, the DENR, through its arm National Authority on Mapping and Resource Information Agency (NAMRIA), is mandated to define, design and implement mechanisms to delineate and delimit municipal waters. The DAO # 17 is all about Delineation and Delimitation of municipal waters and its implementing strategies and mechanisms. Even prior to its signing, DAO # 17 were already questioned by some sectors especially the big time commercial fishers. Big time commercial fishers are banned from entering municipal waters as defined in R.A 8550. About four months after its signing, this controversial law is still under meticulous scrutiny by some people in the executive, legislative and judicial bodies of the government upon the influence by commercial fishing operators. In fact, it was under the pressure of repulsion and became subjected to a Temporary Restraining Order by the Supreme Court, which was later over-ruled by the Department of Justice emphasizing DAO # 17 as legal and valid.

Year 2002. Pamana ka sa Pilipinas launched a nationwide advocacy campaign that culminated in the month of October in time for the celebration of the Fisheries Conservation Month. The campaign was tagged “Bangka’t Buhay,2002”. It was held in ten major ecosystems where Pamana ka sa Pilipinas members is located. (Please see separate story about Bangka’t Buhay”). Part of this advocacy campaign was to organize the ecosystem chapters of the alliance in place of the existing regional chapters for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Ten ecosystem chapters were formally launched as a direct outcome of the campaign. In early part of 2004, twelve more chapters followed suit. August 25-26. The 3rd National Pamana Congress was held. Its major outcome was the restructuring of the organizational set-up into an ecosystem-based management approach. A total of 122 community-based marine sanctuaries were pronounced members and the 22 ecosystem chapters were formally declared. The Constitution and By-laws was amended.