By Kenneth Marcos 
In the coastal towns of Ubay and Mabini, Bohol, fishermen and residents gather with hope and concern. Their livelihoods depend on the sea, but changing weather and rising seas threaten their future. To help these communities prepare, the Department of Agriculture’s National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA–NFRDI) has launched the second phase of the Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FISHCORE) Project.
From September 30 to October 3, 2025, local fishers and community members took part in focus group discussions and surveys. These sessions aimed to gather important data on how climate change affects fisheries and coastal areas. The information will help design better plans to protect these communities and their resources.
Leading the discussions were experts from the CRVA Project Team. Vanessa Mae Escaño, Senior Science Research Specialist, explained how climate change is impacting Philippine fisheries. She also shared how the CRVA process works to identify risks and vulnerabilities. Science Research Specialists Emmanuel Sanchez and Gem Sammer Castro discussed how they collect data and the role of Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to guide decisions on climate actions.
The FISHCORE Project is part of the government’s effort to help fishing communities adapt to the effects of climate change. The first phase of CRVA assessed vulnerabilities in other coastal areas, while this second phase focuses on Bohol, a province known for its rich marine biodiversity and active fishing industry.
By involving local people directly, the project ensures that their knowledge and concerns are included in crafting solutions. This collaborative approach aims to build stronger, more resilient fisheries that can withstand storms, floods, and other climate hazards.
With the Philippines being one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, projects like CRVA and FISHCORE are vital. They not only protect the environment but also secure the income and food supply for thousands of families who depend on the sea.
As these efforts continue, communities like Ubay and Mabini hope for a safer, more sustainable future where their children can also thrive by the shore.
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