Community needs assessment on fishing-based livelihood program in Occidental Mindoro: An extension baseline
Fye Dunaway R Asio | Jason G. Ramirez | Liezel C. Garcia | Jean P. Gulac
Discipline: others in business and management
Abstract:
In Occidental Mindoro, Philippines, marine fishing is not only a commercial
venture but also a fundamental aspect of local culture and livelihoods.
Despite its importance, many fisherfolks in the province face poverty and
limited education. This study aimed to evaluate the socio-economic
characteristics and livelihood status of small-scale fisherfolks in the region
to inform the development of an extension program to enhance their
economic well-being.
Using a descriptive research approach, the study surveyed 356 registered
small-scale fisherfolks from 11 municipalities in Occidental Mindoro,
chosen through Simple Random Sampling Technique. Key factors examined
included age, education, income, household size, alternative income sources,
training needs, fishing experience, and practices.
Findings revealed significant challenges, including low education levels,
meager earnings, lack of alternative income, inadequate training, and
declining fish stocks. Limited education hampers access to resources and
markets, reducing income and increasing vulnerability to economic shifts.
Ineffective governance exacerbates sustainability issues, necessitating
stricter enforcement of regulations.
Recommendations include improving access to resources through grants or
loans, enhancing regulatory oversight, and promoting community
involvement in fisheries management. Incentives and educational programs
tailored to local needs, including skill development and technology adoption,
are proposed. A collaborative effort involving the College of Business,
Administration, and Management and government bodies aims to develop a
targeted livelihood extension program for small-scale fisherfolks in
Occidental Mindoro.
References:
- Abbott-Chapman, J., Johnston, R., & Jetson, T. (2017). Rural parents’ school choices: Affective, instrumental and structural influences. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education, 27(3), 126-141. https://doi.org/10.47381/aijre.v27i3.142.
- Agaton, C. B., Guno, C. S., Labog, R. A., & Collera, A. A. (2023). Immediate socioeconomic impacts of Mindoro oil spill on fisherfolk of Naujan, Philippines. Resources, 12(9), 102. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12090102.
- Buana, Y., & Barlian, E. (2023). Fostering community engagement towards sustainability in small-scale fisheries. E3S Web of Conferences, 388, 04001. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202338804001.
- Castro, A. G., & Magnaye, D. (2023). Coastal hazards and the challenges for planning fishing communities in the Philippines. EGU General Assembly 2023. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-885.
- Calcagno, R., Alperovych, Y., & Quas, A. (2019). Financial literacy and entrepreneurship. In New Frontiers in Entrepreneurial Finance Research (pp. 271-297). https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811202766_0010.
- Church, G., Benbow, S., & Duffy, H. J. (2023). Putting communities at the heart of marine conservation. Oryx, 57, 137-138. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605323000145.
- Eriksson, M., van Riper, C. J., Leitschuh, B., Bentley, B., Rawluk, A., Raymond, C. M., & Kenter, J. O. (2019). Social learning as a link between the individual and the collective: evaluating deliberation on social values. Sustainability Science, 14(5), 1323-1332. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11625-019-00725-5.
- López-Rodríguez, M. D., Cabello, J., Castro, H., & Rodriguez, J. J. (2019). Social learning for facilitating dialogue and understanding of the ecosystem services approach: Lessons from a cross-border experience in the Alboran Marine Basin. Sustainability, 11(19), 5239. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU11195239.
- Maesti, M. (2016). Family-coping strategies in maintaining welfare during the economic crisis in Indonesia: A case study in rural and urban areas in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Journal of Agricultural Education, 23(1), 54-70. https://doi.org/10.21082/JAE.V23N1.2005.54-70.
- Morgan, A., Sheehan, E. V., Rees, A., & Cartwright, A. (2020). Towards a marine socio-ecology of learning in the southwest of England. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42814-3_11.
- van Zon, S. K. R., Reijneveld, S. A., Mendes de Leon, C. F., & Bültmann, U. (2017). The impact of low education and poor health on unemployment varies by work life stage. International Journal of Public Health, 62(9), 997-1006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-0972-7.
- Viray-Mendoza, V. (January 25, 2019). The fishing industry in the Philippines. The Maritime Review. Retrieved from https://maritimereview.ph/2461/.
- Yuhandra, E., Rifa’i, I. J., & Hidayat, S. (2023). Local government policies in the management of coastal and marine resources through community participation. UNIFIKASI Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 10(1), 28-37. https://doi.org/10.25134/unifikasi.v10i1.7539
ISSN 3028-1628 (Online)
ISSN 3028-161X (Print)