Although Manila (the capital city of the Philippines) has over 11.5 million inhabitants, the majority of the population still lives in rural areas, and over 60% of the population lives in coastal areas. A large proportion of the population is therefore reliant on coastal resources for their food and livelihood. From a young age children are taught boatmanship and fishing, and many are expected to begin contributing to their families before they finish secondary school.
Coastal communities are also poorly connected by land-based infrastructure, and rely on boat transport to move people and goods between hubs and smaller, remote communities. Unfortunately the prevalence of manufactured foods and goods and their popularity throughout the Philippines has resulted in local communities which are almost wholly dependent on importing their goods from elsewhere. Throughout Busuanga Island the rural barangays produce very little of the meat, eggs, or vegetables they consume, and indeed few people know how to work their land in the way older generations did. This results in a constant flow of goods and people between transport hubs and small barangay ports, increases the cost of food to people in rural areas, and makes these communities vulnerable to being cut-off from supplies during inclement weather. Fishing is the one source of food that can be provided locally in each barangay, but because fish stocks in the Philippines are currently in decline this one food source will not lead to food security or a sustainable economy for these communities. Efficient use of agriculture, appropriate fish harvest, and alternative sources of income will all be necessary for these coastal communities to lessen their dependence on imported goods and develop sustainable local economies.
Two young boys fishing using a net and a hook and line from their small banca.
View from a typical ‘banca’, a ubiquitous outrigger canoe-style boat which can be powered by motor or paddle.
Bancas moored at the pier.
-Diana