01/06/2026
Philippine and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project – 6th Implementation Support Mission Activities.
The Philippine and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project conducted its 6th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) across Cebu and Bohol from May 27-29, 2026, focusing on monitoring progress and strengthening compliance with environmental and social safeguards.
May 27, 2026 – Cebu City
The World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) team officially commenced the mission at the BFAR Regional Office 7, Cebu City. The delegation was led by Task Team ADM and Senior Environmental Specialist Ms. Oznur Kuntazal and Senior Social Specialist Mr. Jun Zeng, together with ESS specialists from the FISHCORE National and Regional Project Implementing Units and technical personnel from Fisheries Management Area Coordinating Unit 7.
BFAR-7 Regional Director Mario Ruinata welcomed the team and assured full support during the engagement. Ms. Kuntazal highlighted that the mission aimed to conduct field visits and gather on-the-ground information to ensure alignment with project goals and efficient use of funds for fishing communities.
A major focus was the assessment of the ongoing construction of the new BFAR-7 Regional Laboratory in Cebu City, targeted for completion on June 22, 2026. The team also reviewed key safeguard documents including the Labor Management Plan, Environmental and Social Management Plan, and Code of Conduct. Mr. Zeng emphasized mandatory orientation for contractors and workers on the prevention of workplace harassment and gender-based violence, and the institutionalization of the Grievance Redress Mechanism. A field inspection of the construction site was conducted with direct engagement with workers.
May 28-29, 2026 – Bohol
The mission continued at the Multi-species Hatchery of BFAR in Sinandigan, Ubay, Bohol. Activities included technical briefings, field inspections, and stakeholder consultations. Sites visited were:
1. Aqua Business Technology Incubation (ABTI) Training and Learning Center, MSH, BFAR, Sinandigan, Ubay
2. Bangus Culture in HDPE Rectangular Cages Project, Canhaway, Guindulman
3. Oyster Culture using Longline Method Project, Poblacion II, Mabini – conducted.
Each site featured presentations, facility tours, and dialogues with fisherfolk organizations and LGUs on operational viability and the impact of climate-resilient interventions.
Present were Mr. Zafer Mustafaoglu, World Bank Country Director; Ms. Jingjie Chu, Senior Environmental Economist; the DA-BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services and FishCoRe Project Manager; Ms. Nunila M. Pinat, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office; local chief executives from Mabini, Ubay, and Guindulman; and beneficiaries from people’s organizations.
The activities concluded with a dinner meeting in Panglao, Bohol to discuss observations, findings, and recommendations to the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Ms. Liza M. Quirog, MNSA.
The Provincial Government of Bohol through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (PGBh-OPA) is now on its final stages in exploring areas for a Blue Port along the east coast of Bohol. Submitted to FishCoRe for enhancement is the Mangrove Crab Hatchery in Del Mar, Mabini.
And the improvement of the existing PGBh-BISU Multi-species Freshwater Fish Hatchery and Nursery, and the establishment of an Alternative Fish Feed Mill in Sinandigan, Ubay. Both are research and development outputs of the BISU-OPA-BFAR tripartite research project aimed at supporting local feed security and sustainable aquaculture.
The FishCoRe Project aims to improve fisheries management, rehabilitate marine habitats, modernize aquaculture, and strengthen fisherfolk livelihoods across 11 regions and 24 provinces, including Region 7 and the 17 municipalities of Bohol under FMA 9. Interventions focus on ecosystem-based approaches, investments in cold storage, fish landing sites, hatcheries, and resilient cages, as well as value-adding in fish processing and post-harvest handling.
The Provincial Government of Bohol reaffirmed its commitment to climate-smart agriculture and fisheries under the Bohol Strategic Agenda, emphasizing youth-driven agri-fishery clusters for food security and sustainable investments. The Provincial Government congratulated the organizers and partners for the successful conduct of the 6th ISM and reiterated support for a more resilient, food-secure, and climate-smart Bohol.
The 6th ISM served as a catalyst in strengthening BFAR’s project monitoring capabilities and reaffirming commitment to compliance, operational standards, and inclusive development under FishCoRe.