The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), through the DA and Landbank, used the event as an opportunity to disperse checks to fishermen who had been affected by Typhoons Ursula and Tisoy. The PCIC checks were made to provide livelihood to fishermen whose boats had previously been registered and licensed by the local government.

“What we want is for fishermen to follow the rules. It’s managing risks, since these fishermen are vulnerable to changing climate events. In return for livelihood security, we ask them to follow the rules and register their boats,” said WWF-Philippines Project Manager Joann Binondo. Boat registration makes it easier for local governments to manage fisheries, but enforcement issues have kept fishermen from registering.

“As WWF, we're advocating for local governments and competent fisheries authorities to provide good subsidies and incentives to compliant fishermen,” added Binondo. The loans provide a good incentive for boat registration for fishermen already hampered with many issues related to their industry. The loans have also given hope to those whose properties and livelihoods were damaged during the recent Typhoons Tisoy and Ursula.

WWF-Philippines, together with the Pangingisda Natin Gawing Tama (PaNaGaT) Network, has worked with BFAR toward the establishment of a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, or DFAR. Governance constraints and the wide range of fishery issues has warranted the establishment of a separate department for fisheries management.

DFAR has received support from both the municipal and the commercial fishing sectors in a landmark moment for the industry.