PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOOD TO FISHERFOLKS IN ILOILO
RIVER
(Prepared by the Technical Working Group of the Iloilo River Development Council)
Iloilo River, its Resource Use
The Iloilo River is a 15-km long estuarine that derives saline water from Guimaras Strait and fresh
water from several rivers and creeks that are connected to it. It is one of the few remaining urban places in
Iloilo City where high level of productive biological activities are happening. Aside from being the spawning
area of important fish species (such as bangus and tilapia) Iloilo River is also the home of 22 mangrove
species.
To some residents of the city who are dependent on fishing, it is a source of sustenance and
livelihood. It’s estuarine characteristic is an ideal source of brackish water for fishpond cultivation.
Human Activities and Impacts
Majority of the current changes occurring in the Iloilo River ecosystem originate from human
activities. Out of the total 180 barangays in Iloilo City, thirty-five (35) are found along Iloilo River. Land
use along Iloilo River is a combination of residential, commercial, institutional, open space, fishpond,
transport facility and mangrove areas. Port facilities, storage facilities, commercial buildings, offices in
combination with residential structures surround Station 1 (Quirino Bridge- Parola).
Hotels, schools, hospitals, offices in combination with residential units surround Station 2 (IBRD
Bridge-Quirino Bridge). Stations 3 (Carpenters Bridge –IBRD Bridge) and 4 (Carpenter’s – Upper portion of
Iloilo River) are predominantly utilized for fishery activities, fishpond cultivation and salt beds with some
residential use.
There is no sewerage system in the city and majority of the residents rely on on-site treatment
through septic tanks that are mostly ill -constructed and poorly-maintained. The high cost of investment
needed to construct a sewerage system is the major obstacle. As a result, the poor water quality of the
estuarine has become a threat to the ecosystem. Incidence of fish kill has been observed in the last five years
now.
Threats to Iloilo River’s ecosystem are likely to escalate as more pressures are placed on the
important resources of the estuary:
1. mangroves – rapidly diminishing mangrove areas due to illegal cutting and land conversion is
significantly affecting spawning areas
2. fishes – excessive fish capture in the past decades and the presence of illegal fish pens are the
main drivers of declining fish population
Moreover, climate change is seen as another driver of threat with most rapid increase in impacts.
Incidence of fish kills due to sudden and unusual heavy rains has been recorded.
The Proposal- Alternative Livelihood Program for Fisher Folks Dependent on Iloilo River
Program Objectives
The proposal aims to address unsustainable fishing in Iloilo River. Specifically it aims to:
1. Support the on-going program of the Iloilo River Development Council on the promotion of
urban bio-diversity in Iloilo River
2. Support the council’s program to reduce flooding in some areas of the estuary through the
removal of illegal fish pens
3. Provide alternative livelihood and income to fisher folks who are going to be affected by the
removal of illegal fish pens
4. Provide alternative livelihood and income to other fisher folks who are going to be affected by
the declining fish production in the estuary and the impacts of climate change
Program Beneficiaries
Project beneficiaries will be qualified according to the criteria to be set primarily by the existing
Barangay Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council’s (BFARMC) as organized by the Office of
the City Agriculturist (OCA). Basically, the beneficiary must be a bonafide fisher folk of any barangay
(village) along Iloilo River as listed in the updated Fisher Folk Master List of the OCA. Priorities will be
given to:
1. Iloilo River fisher folks who are going to be affected by the implementation of Ordinance No. RO
2009-247, an ordinance which prohibits permanent fishing structures or fish corral (“punot”) as a
fishing method in Iloilo River. According to an actual survey conducted, there were eighty-nine
(89) “punot” existing from Carpenter’s Bridge towards the river boundary. These eighty-nine (89)
listed “punot” operators will be the first to avail of the loan funds.
2. Other Iloilo River fisher folks who are going to be affected by the rapid decline in fish population
due to climate change and unsustainable fishing methods
Lending Terms
1, Maximum Loan Amount :7,000.00 Pesos ( 156 US Dollars)
2. Terms : 2 Years to Pay
3. Interest : 18% per Annum
4. Loan Purpose : Fish vending or other worthy projects proposed by the beneficiary
5. Collection Scheme : Weekly
6. Penalty : 2% on the amount overdue
5. Requirements
a. Certificate of Eligibility from BFARMC
b. Duly Notarized Promissory Note
c. Attendance to a Livelihood Training Program to be facilitated by the BFARMC
Training Program
The training program shall consist of Basic Business Management, Basic Accounting and/or if skills
are required, the BFARMC shall coordinate the training with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or
Technical Education Skills Development Administration (TESDA), where regular skills training programs
are conducted.
Program Management
To ensure proper fund management, a Management Team will be organized, to be composed by the
CFARMC Chairperson, BFARMC Chairpersons, and OCA representative who is the FARMC coordinator.
They will select among themselves signatories to the loan approval and bank transactions. The management
team will develop specific implementing guidelines. The project will be closely supervised and monitored by
the OCA who will be required a monthly report on the status of the program. The same report shall be
forwarded to the Office of the City Mayor. Future plans for an independent management scheme (e.g.
cooperative/enterprise) maybe considered depending upon the assessment of the management stability of the
program implementation.
Projected Benefits.
1. The loan shall initially benefit 60 qualified fisher folks
2. 18 months after the launching, when substantial loan collection and income accrue, it is estimated
that an additional 15 fisher folks would be benefited
3. Two years after the launching it is projected that a total of 90 beneficiaries would have benefited
from the program
4. The program is envisioned as self-sustaining through proper cash flow management and cost
recovery so that as many as 150 fisher folks would be benefited in 4 years time
5. Income to fisher folks is estimated at 8,000 pesos per month ( 177 US dollars)
Budget Requirements
Funding Agency
1. Seed Capital
Iloilo City
10,000 US Dollars
2. Technical Assistance
to BFARMC (4 Years)
25,000 US Dollars
3. National Agencies
12,,000
3. BFARMC
14,500
Total
______
_______
10,000 US Dollars
51,500 US Dollars