UP Visayas Institute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies

24/08/2026

17/08/2026

𝗙𝗔𝗢 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗙𝗣𝗗𝗦 𝗰𝗼-𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀

The Institute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies (IFPDS) of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences - UP Visayas, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), co-hosted an online roundtable discussion (RTD) on climate-induced loss and damage (L&D) in the fisheries sector on 12 August 2026.

The RTD aimed to better understand the realities, challenges, and priorities of the fisheries sub-sector and help shape appropriate strategies and approaches for addressing climate change–induced loss and damage in the country. This initiative is part of the Technical Cooperation Programme on Loss and Damage from Climate Change – Agriculture Sector Readiness in the Philippines, currently being implemented by FAO in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to strengthen the sector’s capacity to assess, address, and respond to climate-related losses.

The online discussion brought together key fisheries stakeholders—representatives of peoples’ organizations, municipal and commercial fishers, non-government organizations, the academe, local government units, and aquaculture operators. Through the session, participants identified economic and non-economic losses and damages, explored options for addressing irreversible impacts, and discussed how affected communities can continue to survive, thrive, and pursue sustainable development despite escalating climate risks.

One valuable message from the discussion is that addressing loss and damage in fisheries is not simply about replacing what climate change destroys. It is about safeguarding livelihoods, ecosystems, food security, knowledge, culture, and the future of fishing communities.

The insights generated from the RTD will serve as input to the upcoming Training Workshop on Tools and Approaches to Support Understanding and Assessment of Climate-induced Loss and Damage (L&D) in Agri-food Systems, organized by FAO on 26–27 August 2026.

14/08/2026

The monitoring of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing was already weak, and the recent Supreme Court decision upholding the junking of the government’s vessel monitoring regulation will effectively gut what remains of the system.

Link to the full story in comment section.

03/08/2026

28/07/2026

Honored to take part in an interview with fellow UP graduates for the UP–TIEZA research project on the governance systems of Boracay Island as pathways toward sustainable tourism development.

I had the opportunity to share my perspectives on the comprehensive assessment of Boracay’s current governance system, including the gaps and challenges that need to be addressed, the roles of key stakeholders in promoting sustainable tourism, actionable strategies to strengthen governance structures and processes, and evidence-based policy recommendations that can support the island’s long-term resilience and sustainable development.

Grateful to contribute to this collaborative effort of the University of the Philippines and TIEZA in advancing research that informs better governance and sustainable tourism policies for Boracay.

28/07/2026

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

The Institute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies (IFPDS), College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, joined representatives of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation–Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute (RMAF–RMTLI) and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an exploratory discussion on July 24, 2026, toward advancing community-led mangrove conservation and sustainable coastal development in northern Iloilo.

The engagement centered on Mangrove FIESTA, Fisherfolk Initiative for Environmental Sustainability of Tinigban Community Associations, the second phase of the Magsaysay Laureates Community Initiative. The program will be implemented in Barangay Tinigban, Carles, Iloilo, in partnership with 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon, whose transformative leadership has demonstrated how empowered fisherfolk organizations can become effective stewards of coastal ecosystems and community development.

Mangrove FIESTA seeks to strengthen local fisherfolk associations through capacity building in mangrove rehabilitation, coastal resource management, organizational development, community leadership, and sustainable livelihoods. By connecting communities with the knowledge, experience, resources, and proven solutions of Magsaysay Laureates, academic institutions, faith-based organizations, and development partners, the initiative aims to translate transformative ideas into meaningful and lasting action on the ground.

The exploratory discussion opened opportunities for UP Visayas and IFPDS to contribute their expertise in aquatic resource governance, community mobilization, fisheries development, and science-based coastal management. The participation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints further strengthened the initiative’s collaborative and service-oriented foundation, highlighting the importance of bringing together diverse institutions in support of environmental stewardship and community resilience.

More importantly, the engagement affirmed the partners’ shared commitment to placing fisherfolk and coastal communities at the heart of conservation and sustainable development.
Through partnerships that unite community knowledge, scientific expertise, transformative leadership, institutional support, and a spirit of service, Mangrove FIESTA represents more than a mangrove rehabilitation project, it is an investment in stronger organizations, healthier coastal ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods, and a more resilient future for the people of Tinigban.
When communities are empowered to lead and institutions work together, mangroves become more than natural barriers, they become foundations of food security, livelihoods, climate resilience, and hope.

27/07/2026

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘇

The Institute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies (IFPDS), College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas, actively participated in the 15th Capiz Provincial Fisheries Development Plan (CPFDP) activity, reinforcing its commitment to science-informed, participatory, and responsive fisheries governance.

During the program, Mr. Ariel Sefil and Mr. El Andro A. Obar presented the consolidated results and synthesis of the planning discussions. Their presentation highlighted key fisheries-sector concerns, stakeholder priorities, implementation gaps, and strategic opportunities that can guide the province in strengthening fisheries management, protecting aquatic resources, improving livelihoods, and enhancing the resilience of coastal communities.

The engagement underscored the importance of bringing together local government units, fisheries institutions, technical experts, fishing communities, and other stakeholders to transform evidence and shared experiences into practical and actionable development strategies.

Through initiatives such as the CPFDP, IFPDS continues to support local and provincial governments in building a fisheries sector that is sustainable, inclusive, climate-resilient, and responsive to the needs of Capiznon fisherfolk and coastal communities.
From consultation to collective action, building a stronger and more sustainable future for the fisheries of Capiz.

22/07/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹 𝗢𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

A validation workshop for the study “Value Chain Analysis of Pearl Oyster (Pteriidae) Towards a Sustainable and Competitive Pearling Industry in the Philippines” was held on 16 July 2026 at the Audio‑Visual Hall of Western Philippines University (WPU), Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The study is funded by the Department of Science and Technology — Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST‑PCAARRD) and is implemented by the Institute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies.

The workshop brought together government, academe, and private‑sector representatives to review and strengthen the research findings. Participants included representatives from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), national and local government agencies, pearl trader, and pearl farm operators. WPU is one of the collaborating agencies of the project and was represented by Associate Professor Arlene Avillanosa.

Dr. Liberty Espectato, the Project Leader, presented the study’s preliminary results, including the value chain analysis that maps the industry’s structure, key actors, opportunities, and major challenges. Following the presentation, Asst. Prof. Jonalyn Mateo led a Participatory Systems Analysis (PSA) workshop. Participants discussed governance, market dynamics, production practices, and the institutional support that shapes the pearl oyster value chain in the Philippines.

The validation workshop is an important milestone for the project, enabling the research team to refine findings through direct stakeholder feedback. Insights collected during the session will be integrated into the final report and will be used in developing policy recommendations aimed at improving governance, competitiveness, and the sustainability of the Philippine pearling industry.

The project team present at the workshop included Dr. Harold Monteclaro and Asst. Prof. Jonalyn Mateo (Project Staff), and Andre Joshua Zamora and Hazel Coleen Gaya (Technical Assistants). The project is scheduled for completion in December 2026. Dr. Reynold Tan and Ms. Anne Brigitte Ledesma serve as the Project Consultants.

Text: Andre Joshua Zamora
Picture: Hazel Coleen Gaya

15/07/2026