In 1995 until 2002, Tambuyog Development Center embarked on the project -- CBCRM School. The School aimed to popularize community-based coastal resources management, train fisherfolk and development workers on developing CBCRM programs and projects, implement and manage such project.

The CBCRM School contributed to the formation of a network of CBCRM, developed the competencies of the NGO and PO on CBCRM, and popularized CBCRM as a paradigm in coastal resource management. Currently CBCRM has reached many places in the Philippines and is virtually a mainstream paradigm. Thus, there is a need to upgrade CBCRM training to expand the benefit stream not only to the coastal resources and the fisheries in general but also to the individual practitioners. 

The overall objective of the project is to develop a network of fisherfolk schools in the Tañon Strait, as a major fishing ground, towards sustainable development of its coastal resources.  Specifically, the project aims to:

1. Enhance the core competencies of thirty (30) fisherfolk leaders in CBCRM;
   
   
2. Conduct local campaigns both as learning exercise and as concrete means to advance CBCRM in coastal communities along the Tañon Strait;
   
   
3. Forge stakeholder unity in developing local fisherfolk schools.

The concept of developing local fisherfolk schools seeks to further advance CBCRM theory and practice by transforming the resource management gains to concrete livelihood opportunities and other assets both tangible and non-tangible.

This is a three-year project covering the period December 2005 to November 2008.  It will be implemented in selected municipalities and cities found along the coasts facing Tañon Strait in Central Visayas, specifically in Cebu, Negros Oriental and the eastern part of Negros Occidental.

The main activities are:

1. Training with practicum on Fisheries and Trade Campaign, Community-Based Coastal Resource Management, Leadership and Governance, Organizational Development and Management, Institutional Development, and Enterprise Development.
   
   
2. Establishment of three centers for classroom training, while the practicum will consist of the fisherfolk activities themselves in their communities and organizations, i.e. the IEC campaigns, negotiations and engagement with co-management bodies, resource management planning and implementation, organizational strengthening and institutional development, and enterprise development.
   
   
3. Generating support for the institutionalization of the fisherfolk school to ensure its sustainability. The support will be in the form of accreditation of the training modules, training materials and references and the trainers themselves, and the maintenance and upgrading of the school.

This project aims to unify and rationalize the management and development of Tañon Strait as a single fishing ground. The lessons learned are practical knowledge that will be useful for resource management and the development of the fishing industry.

The trainees will someday be trainers themselves in their areas of competencies who will continue and upgrade the fisherfolk school. The successes and lessons of the project can be replicated in other parts of the country and elsewhere.

Tambuyog Development Center is the main implementor of this project. It will seek the assistance of the Bureau of Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education, agricultural universities and colleges, local government units and government agencies for the institutionalization of the fisherfolk school.

The Project Sites