Abstract / Excerpt:

Objectives: (1) establish a social, demographic and economic profile of fishermen in Region XI; (2) determine the performance of the fishermen in the production and financial aspects; (3) elicit recommendations necessary for the socio-economic development of the fishermen.

Methodology: A descriptive survey method has been used.

Summary of Findings: More than half of the respondents were subsistence fishermen (municipal fishermen), married, males, Roman Catholic. Cebuanos, migrants from Visayas, have elementary education with a mean age of 35.6 years and have been a resident of their respective brgy. for 18.6 years. Majority of the respondents are permanent regular fishermen, respondents allot most of their income for food consumption. As income alone cannot afford them the basics in life, majority of the respondents availed of loans majority of which were consumption loans from nearby sari-sari stores at amounts ranging between P5-3, 470; majority having no interest from consumption loans. Most of these loans were on a 30-day duration with a weekly mode of payment. As regards paying loans, majority were regular consumption loan payers such that majority of the loans were already partially paid. Though majority of the respondents own their houses; usually singe-unit type of houses but mostly dilapidated, they do not own the lot where their houses are erected. It is interesting to note that the respondents are paying lot rental despite the fact that they are residing along the coast, which is considered a public land. Majority of the respondents are not aware of the existence of of livelihood organizations in their community. Majority of those who claimed knowledge of the existence of livelihood organizations in their community were members of these organizations; majority rated their participation as active because of the possible assistance they can have from the organizations, which are mostly loans for emergency. The respondents noted financial constraints as the main necessary organization-related expenses in the budget. Majority of the respondents are willing to be organized, particularly by an organization that will provide them loans. The survey findings reveal that there is a high incidence of illnesses among the respondents' households,mostly fever/colds. These illnesses are appropriately addressed by seeking medical assistance from the health centers. Majority of the respondents are not aware of any government programs respective for the fishermen. This could perhaps be due to the limited programs implemented by the government to this sector. Those who reported awareness of programs mainly noted fishing loans.However,majority have not been a beneficiary of these programs. Those who claimed to be program-beneficiaries mostly received financial assistance in fishing-related expenses. Most respondents agree that only the interest of the few are catered by these government programs and that thee programs and that these programs are not concerned with the needs of the ordinary people. The government is observed to have implemented some programs which are not within their government jurisdiction. Despite all these, the respondents still continued to be happy with their lives. This was further probed in the ladder scale where most of the respondents placed themselves in ladder 5 five years ago, now and five years from hence. Guite surprisingly, majority reported a very adequate ability to satisfy their wants and even found their meal intake as adequate. But majority asserted that their income is meager enough and thus fall below the poverty line. Majority ranked family, security as very important when values of the respondents were assessed. Majority of the respondents are never without having to aim at providing education opportunities for their children. Most of the respondents have been in fishing for 9-16 years and reporting experience as the source of their knowledge in fishing. Majority spent 7-12 hours fishing everyday, with the 7 trips per week. Commercial fishermen frequented the sea from 1 to 3 trips per month while 28-30 trips per month for municipal fishermen.

Info

Source Institution	Ateneo de Davao University
Unit	Business and Accounting
Authors	Bermudez, Jessel., Buhion, Glenda.
Page Count	103
Place of Publication	Davao City
Original Publication Date	March 1, 1993
Tags	Economic conditions, Fishermen

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