On April 17, 2024 in El Nido, Palawan, a significant milestone was achieved as Good Neighbors International Philippines, led by Country Director Jae Choon Lee, alongside Good Neighbors Global Impact Foundation, represented by Senior Director Changpyo Lee, and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) led by Country Director Eunsub Kim, joined hands with El Nido Municipal Local Government under Mayor Edna Lim’s guidance. Together with the Municipal Governments of El Nido and Taytay, they hosted an inauguration ceremony and convened to sign a Memorandum of Agreement for the transformative development project titled ”Enhancing Fisheries Productivity and Expanding Value Chain for Income Generation.”
The event held at Lime Resort Hotel in El Nido garnered participation from various stakeholders, including members of the El Nido and Taytay fisherfolk associations and other project partners.
This project, aimed at revolutionizing the fishery industry in Northern Palawan, signifies the start of a groundbreaking initiative to empower local fishermen, improve the value chain of fishery products, and enhance economic sustainability in the region. It addresses the challenges faced by fishermen in Northern Palawan while unlocking new opportunities for growth.
Central to the project is a comprehensive approach to strengthening the value chain of fishery products and enabling fishermen to operate as cooperatives or businesses. Key components of the initiative include:
1. Fish Storage and Processing Infrastructure: The project will provide essential infrastructure such as refrigerating facilities, dryers, and vacuum packers to facilitate the storage and processing of fishery products, ensuring their quality and freshness.
2. Buyer Matching Services: A crucial aspect of the project involves connecting fishermen with potential buyers both within and outside the Palawan islands, thereby expanding market access and boosting economic opportunities.
3. Transportation Support: Recognizing the importance of efficient transportation in the value chain, the project will provide the cooperative with a refrigerated van to streamline trading activities and give them greater control over the transportation of their products.
4. Diversification of Income Sources: In addition to enhancing fishing activities, the project will offer training programs to enable fishermen to culture shellfish and adopt climate-smart agriculture practices, providing alternative sources of income during inclement weather conditions.
Through these strategic interventions, the project seeks to uplift the livelihoods of 1,300 marginalized fisherfolk in El Nido and Taytay, Palawan, while simultaneously strengthening the capacity of fishermen’s cooperatives and reducing reliance on credit providers and middlemen.
“We are thrilled to lead this transformative project with the potential to uplift the lives of fishermen and their families in Palawan,” said Mr. Jae Choon Lee, Country Director of GNIP.
“Through this, we aim to create sustainable solutions benefiting the livelihoods of northern Palawan fishermen for years to come.”
Driven by its mission, Good Neighbors Philippines strives for more than mere economic growth—it aspires to enhance the Quality of Life for ALL, one neighbor at a time.
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