Back To Sea Project Fundraiser

On November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan did not only claim lives of thousands and millions in properties in the Philippines but the livelihood of the survivors as well. One of the worst-affected areas is Bantayan Island.It is situated to the west of the northern end of Cebu and considered as Cebu’s fishing ground from where boatloads of fish are transported daily to Cebu City and Negros for consumption and further distribution to as far as Mindanao and Manila. Thus, fishing has a big impact to the local economy and the Philippines as well.
A group of Bantayan residents from Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort initiated the “Bantayan Back To Sea Project” to empower the fishermen in Bantayan to re-build their lost livelihood through “Bayanihan” or “helping each other." The “Back to Sea” project aims to connect Bantayan fishermen back to their livelihood.

In turn, I am doing this fund raising to help their project. By purchasing a shirt, we can all lend a helping hand to our fishermen in need. The proceeds of this fundraising will go directly to the “Bantayan Back To Sea Project.” You will also get this exclusive shirt designed by a Bantayan Back To Sea Project organizer. I hope that we cangive our fishermen a reason to celebrate this Yuletide season. With your help and kindness, you will not only give them a relief but a livelihood to sustain their family and have a better future.

There is an idiom, “ WE ARE ON THE SAME BOAT.” We may be far from them, but we live the same world with them, we share the same hope and dreams with them and that is - - - a better future, a better world, a united and kindhumanity. They badly need our help, so please heed their call. Please share this fundraising to family and friends. Thank you.


Q&A:

Who are involved in the Back To Sea Project?

The Bantayan Island Association of Hotels, Resorts, Bars and Restaurants is a SEC registered non-stock, non-profit organization existing since 2003. It has been promoting sustainable development of the island's tourism industry and is actively involved in community work. Prior to Yolanda, the latest achievement was initiating a Tourism Value Chain Assessment wherein through the support of the Cebu Provincial Government, they were able to gather stakeholders and 3 LGUs (Madridejos, Santa Fe, Bantayan) of the island in one room and work for a Bantayan Island Tourism Roadmap. Post-Yolanda, they initiated a multi-sectoral meeting between the Landbank and Philippine Crop Insurance. This was attended by fishermen, farmers and poultry and hog raisers. Currently, being united and organized, they were able to secure a group loan for members in need of funds for their rehabilitation. They operate under the dictum that Bantayan Island is not just a business for us, it is also their home! They have 20 members and the officers are: 1. President - Allan Monreal, Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort 2. Vice-President - Janeth Holaysan, Sta. Fe Beach Club/Ogtong Cave Resort 3. Secretary - Joan Nepangue, Beach Placid Resort 5. Auditor - Agnes Gilbuena, Mabuhay Balikbayan Restaurant 6. PRO - Bernadeth Yagui, Yoonek Beach Resort For more info, please check Bantayan Island Association FB page. A prime mover, a fellow volunteer, is Johanna Michelle Lim. She is the Admin of the Bantayan Back to Sea Project FB Page and is based in Cebu. She handles inquiries, does fund raising and meets with donors and supporters.

How does the Back to Sea project work?

This project is Barangay based, a true community grassroots initiative. Once a barangay is set up, meaning there is already an agreement between elected officials and officers of the fishermen group, Back to Sea Project will fund them according to the budget based on the list of affected fishermen. First of is setting up a boat repair/building station complete with tools and hired boat builders. This repair station leap frogs from one sitio to another. If the barangay have more skilled labor then we can have multiple stations. The owners of the boats being repaired are force multipliers, they have to help too. The production will depend on the capacity of the station. The pilot station is expected to produce 5 boats every 5 days. The Bantayan Back to Sea Project is not into commercial production of boats hence they declined requests to make boats for certain individuals. If donors have specific beneficiaries in mind, they have to be members of a fishermen association because the foundation of this project is SUSTAINABILITY and BAYANIHAN.

How can I see the status of their project?

Please check their Facebook page : Bantayan Back To Sea Project
http://https//www.facebook.com/backtoseaproject

How much would it cost to build new boats?

Below are pictures of damaged boats and the beneficiaries of this project. More pictures and details about the project are found at their Facebook page: Bantayan Back To Sea Project.