The Philippines has a long history of Community-Based Coastal Resource Management (CBCRM) initiatives that have been carried out with varying degrees of success. The framework for CBCRM emerged from the early efforts of NGOs and academic and research institutions implementing programs either independently or in cooperation with each other. From the mid-1970s through the early 1990s, many programs in the Philippines and Southeast Asia adopted participatory approaches toward resource management, emphasizing the need to empower fishers and other stakeholders to protect and enhance their resources.

In August 2000, one of the initial meetings to introduce the idea of forming the LMMA Network was held in Iloilo, Philippines. During the two years that followed, activity toward building an LMMA Network in the Philippines was stalled. In early 2003, a survey was conducted by NCT member Manuel Mejia to see if there was still interest. After an LMMA Orientation workshop held in April 2003 in Dumaguete, and several site visits and one-on-one meetings with key People’s Organizations and NGOs, the Philippine LMMA (PLMMA) Network got off the ground. Manuel Mejia acted as interim country coordinator for PLMMA until August 2003, when the responsibility was handed over to Daisy Flores of Earth Restoration Trust.

Two partner organizations that helped revitalize the idea of an LMMA network in the Philippines were the Center for the Promotion of Indigenous Technology (SIKAT) and the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development (CERD), through their participation and pioneering project work in Candelaria and Hinatuan Bay, respectively.

In July 2003, the Network’s Learning Framework was translated into two Filipino language/dialect versions - Tagalog and Cebuano. During the network-wide meeting held in Suva, Fiji in August 2003, an initial workplan for the Philippines LMMA Network (PLMMA) was drawn up by Ruperto Apilado, Gemma Gades, Jovy Cleofe, Executive Director of CERD, Chito Dugan, Project Officer of SIKAT, Ava Sharon Batay-an of Tanggol Kalikasan, and Daisy Flores.

In November 2003, PLMMA held its first Biological Monitoring workshop in Bohol Island. Ruperto Apilado and Gemma Gades also shared their experiences in Fiji with the LMMA Network and presented the workplan that was drafted there, which was discussed and revised based on the input of Bohol workshop participants.

The circles on the map at right show areas of LMMA activity in the Philippines.

Please see Stories from the Field for more on Philippine LMMA Network activities.