By Kenneth Marcos 
Before sunrise in many coastal towns, small fishing boats are already heading out to sea. For thousands of Filipino fisherfolk, daily survival depends not only on the catch, but also on support systems that help them earn more and protect their livelihoods. This was the wider picture highlighted as the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project reported major gains during its 2025 Year-End Review and Assessment held in Quezon City from January 27 to 30, 2026.
Project officials said FishCoRe continues to deliver concrete results, especially in helping fishing communities diversify income and improve facilities that support fisheries. As of January 2026, a total of 29 livelihood subprojects have already been completed and turned over under the Fisher’s Livelihood Diversification and Development, Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investment, or MARLIN Subcomponent 2.1.
These livelihood projects are designed to give fisherfolk and their families additional sources of income beyond daily fishing. By expanding livelihood options, the program aims to reduce poverty, improve household stability, and help communities better withstand shocks such as bad weather, declining fish stocks, and rising fuel costs.
Significant progress was also reported under MARLIN Subcomponent 2.3, which focuses on aquaculture and fisheries infrastructure. This part of the project aims to strengthen facilities used for fisheries management, research, monitoring, and support services, which are critical to long-term sustainability.
Among the major infrastructure projects completed or underway are the construction and rehabilitation of a fisheries laboratory in Cebu City, a Fisheries Integrated Laboratory in Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City, and the expansion of the fish health laboratory testing facility in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. These facilities help improve disease detection, product quality testing, and research that directly benefit fishers and aquaculture producers.
Other notable projects include a container storage facility for scuba gears and equipment in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, a multi-purpose fisheries complex in Opol, Misamis Oriental, and a two-storey annex building for the integrated laboratory in Masao, Butuan City. These investments aim to improve efficiency, safety, and service delivery in key fishing areas.
During the review, the World Bank team, led by Senior Environmental Economist and Task Team Leader Jingjie Chu, stressed the importance of maximizing the use of project funds. The team emphasized that resources must translate into real and direct benefits for Filipino fisherfolk and coastal communities, especially those most vulnerable to climate and economic risks.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director Elizer S. Salilig echoed this message, calling for intensified and sustained action. He said government agencies and partners must remain proactive in uplifting fisheries-dependent communities, noting that long-term development requires consistent effort, strong coordination, and community involvement.
FishCoRe Project Manager Isidro M. Velayo Jr. assured stakeholders that the initiative is more than a promise on paper. He said the project reflects a firm commitment to deliver measurable improvements in livelihoods, infrastructure, and resilience for coastal areas across the country.
Funded by the World Bank, the FishCoRe Project is a national initiative designed to strengthen the sustainability and climate resilience of the Philippine fisheries sector. It is expected to run until 2029, with more livelihood programs and infrastructure projects planned in the coming years.
As the project moves forward, the challenge remains to ensure that progress reaches the smallest fishing households. For many coastal families, these gains mean better income, safer work, and hope for a more stable future by the sea.
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