Panaon communities’ chart new course with ecologically sustainable livelihoods beyond fishing
Press Release Date: August 26, 2025
For generations, the communities of Panaon Island have relied almost entirely on the sea for their food, income, and identity. With the impending declaration of Panaon Island as a protected seascape, its biodiverse fisheries and marine resources will be able to sustain the present and future generations living in the island.
“We are optimistic about the benefits that protecting Panaon Island will bring to its local communities. As fish stocks continue to dwindle and the effects of climate change and overfishing become harder to ignore, the island’s residents are being offered a new path towards sustainability: science-backed livelihood alternatives that reduce pressure on the ocean while creating new economic opportunities for communities,” said Von Hernandez, Oceana’s Vice President.
While awaiting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature to enact the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS) bill, Oceana has been helping the national and local governments consult with local communities. This process of developing the PIPS Management Plan is highlighting important insights for stakeholders and will establish a foundation for their future.
“Ang amo panawagan sa mahal na Presidente, sa madali imo nang mapirmahan ang maong balaodon para ang among Panaon Island masiguro ang pagprotihir sa atong kadagatan, sa atong mga resources, sa atong Panaon area nga duna na’y maayong enforcement laban sa mga illegal fishers og tungod kay daghang mu-encroach na taga-laing lugar. Gani last year naa mi tulo ka mananagat na dili taga-amo, taga-laing area nga naghimo og mga ilegal na pagpanagat. So hopefully Mr. President imo nang mapirmahan ang bill sa Panaon Island Protective Seascape Bill para sa atong Panaon Island (Our appeal to the Honorable President is that you may soon sign the bill so that our Panaon Island will have ensured protection for our ocean and our marine resources, including proper enforcement against illegal fishers. Many have encroached on our area, in fact last year we caught three fishermen who were not from the island, but from other areas, engaging in illegal fishing. So hopefully Mr. President, you will sign the Panaon Island Protected Seascape Bill for the good of Panaon Island),” shared Ricarte A. Estrella, Mayor of Pintuyan, one of the four towns comprising the island in Southern Leyte.
Through the initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–Southern Leyte, and in close coordination with local governments, science institutions, and fisherfolk groups, a range of community-based projects is being implemented under the province’s “Blue Economy” agenda. This emerging strategy prioritizes the sustainable use of marine resources while preserving biodiversity and improving human well-being.
“Panaon embracing the Blue Economy is giving science, technology and innovation the opportunity to turn our seas into sources of hope, livelihood and lasting progress for the people of Southern Leyte,” said Dr Ramil Uy, Provincial Science and Technology Director of DOST Southern Leyte.
Among the key livelihood alternatives being proposed are sea cucumber ranching, sandfish cultivation in Liloan and San Francisco, and squid processing in Pintuyan.
These initiatives are part of the province’s broader SPEED-SL (Science and Technology Programs to Enhance Economic Development of Southern Leyte) strategy, which combines innovation, community empowerment, and resource sustainability.
“Panaon Island is living proof that sustainable livelihoods and healthy marine ecosystems can go hand in hand. By equipping communities with science-based alternatives to their main livelihoods, we not only protect biodiversity but also empower people to thrive without harming the very ecosystems they depend on,” Hernandez said.
The PIPS bill seeks to establish a legal framework for long-term conservation while permitting sustainable use zones and community-based resource management. When signed, it would formalize protection measures, strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing, and institutionalize support for alternative livelihoods. (END)
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 325 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.
For More Information:
Joyce Sierra, Communications Manager, Oceana
Mobile: 09178214430 E-mail: jsierra@oceana.org
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