Sustainable Livelihoods and Coastal Resilience: Lessons from Fisherfolk Communities in Dumaran and Araceli

Resumo

In recent years, alternative livelihoods have been promoted across various regions to provide new sources of income while reducing pressure on marine and coastal resources. In Palawan, Philippines, training programs targeting fisherfolk in Barangays Tinintinan and Dalayawan in Araceli, and Barangays Catep, Bacao, and Calasag in Dumaran, have been rolled out to empower individuals with skills for sustainable income. This study evaluates the effectiveness of these initiatives by assessing training outcomes, participant profiles, and stakeholder feedback. The research utilized a survey adapted from USAID (Crawford & Herrera, 2008), with data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results reveal significant differences in training effectiveness based on gender and income. Male participants and those with lower household incomes (≤ ₱10,000) reported higher training effectiveness, suggesting varying needs and perspectives between gender and income groups. No significant differences were observed based on household size, educational level, or participation in fisheries policy decisions. Participants also highlighted areas for improvement, such as enhancing production processes, marketing strategies, and contextual relevance. The results show that alternative livelihood programs have made a good start—helping fisherfolk learn new skills and find additional sources of income. But there's still work to be done to make sure these efforts last over time. One key improvement would be to make the training more hands-on and relevant to local realities, especially by teaching practical business skills. Ongoing support and better access to markets are also important. Programs that tap into local resources and encourage group learning tend to do better and last longer. Instead of offering just one-time training sessions, it’s essential to build community-based support systems that help people continue learning, adapting, and growing. This way, the programs can truly make a lasting difference in the lives of fishing communities.