Lambatan Project

Abstract

SAMMACA (Samahan ng mga Artisanong Mangingisda ng Calatagan) is an NGO partner of Ateneo de Manila. Senior university students are sent to various areas in Batangas for an immersion into the lives of the fisherfolk sector. This is part of their Theology of Liberation and service learning courses. A challenge for a fishing community under SAMMACA -- Barangay Uno, Calatagan Batangas was the procurement of expensive fishing supplies purchased through loans with very high interest rates. Through the leadership of Maximino Limoico, President of the People's Organization at Barangay Uno and the proposal made by Management Economics students of Ateneo de Manila University, an initial funding was received from the Jesuit Disaster Rehabilitation fund to purchase fishing nets in Manila. These supplies started the community store that extended local microfinance loans to the fisherfolks at lower interest rates. It became known as the "Lambatan Project". The leaders of the community ran the project and whatever dividends were earned went back to the community members. An International Policy on Economic Development project assessment team from Fordham University, New York spent a week in the area and found the project successful. This conclusion was reached through performance indicators such as an increase in loan amounts and decrease in interest rates with a 100 percent payback rate, decrease in fishing supply cost, increase in average daily catch and consistent purchase of nets in Manila. The impact and the benefits gained by the community were the ability to escape the debt trap, an increase in family savings, increased self-confidence and construction of indoor bathroom facilities. The success of the project was also attributed to sharing and cooperation within the community, effective pooling of resources and the able leadership of Maximino Limoico who had the vision and who lived up to the faith and trust that the community had for him. A strong community is truly a vital element for successful economic development to happen.