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Three-pronged Strategy
Three cross-cutting strategies were used:
The First Strategy, called appreciative community mobilization
(ACM), targeted marginalized groups around the theme of population,
health and environment. This strategy builds on community assets and
resources more than on their problems and deficiencies.
The Second Strategy, called experience-based advocacy, used
evidence from community experiences to influence decision making in
favor of population, health and environment.
The Third Strategy, called behavior centered programming, involved
identifying key family planning and coastal resource management
behaviors and developing related communications materials for various
audiences.
Stakeholder Ownership
At every stage of program development, the participation of the
community members was ensured, which resulted in a high degree of
stakeholder ownership. For identification and prioritization of projects,
a core group composed of three barangays were trained on the
Appreciative Community Mobilization (ACM) approach. Barangay
officials and representatives of community organizations participated
in the planning process. This allowed the community to discover their
problems and needs, envision their desired future, design interventions,
and deliver the services expected by the residents.
The implementing structure that was set up included a Municipal
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) and
counterparts from the seven coastal barangays. These councils were
tasked to manage and regulate activities in the coastal waters. A total of
187 fish wardens were tasked to conduct regular sea patrols and
apprehend illegal fishers. The MFARMC has enabled the municipality
to work jointly with community members for better management of marine
protected areas, aggressive mangrove reforestation and upland agroforestry.
In project implementation, the barangay development councils and
the bids and awards committees were activated. A project focal person
was assigned in order to ensure focused responsibility and
accountability. In addition, a community based monitoring and evaluation
system was installed where small fishers track fish catch patterns using
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