For Jaime Evangelista, chairman of Ugnayan ng mga Samahan ng Mamamayan at Mangingisda ng Rizal (UGMMARIZ), proper housing and livelihood projects are the keys of improvement for the neighborhood in Cardona, Rizal.

Its project, “Fisherfolk Settlement”, seeks support from other organizations like Habitat for Humanity in order to provide proper housing for community members.

Most of their members live around Laguna Lake which causes danger to their everyday lives. Since their houses are around the lake, they are prone to flood especially when it’s rainy season. According to the villagers, they experienced riding a banca because the water level rises quickly. They also walked through the high water level to be able to find something to eat. Despite these dangers, people continue to live around the lakeshore because they lack the funds to live in or own a decent home.

Also, the lake is the source of their livelihood. Staying near the lake sustains their everyday needs. It provides a resting place around the area for the fishermen while they work in the lake. For these, “hindi kami papayag na dalhin kami sa malayo,” added Ka Jaime as he elaborates the reasons why they need the fisherfolk settlement. [We will not agree to be relocated to remote areas.]

‘Advocacies’

UGMMARIZ also focuses on the protection and conservation of Laguna Lake. They strongly opposed the illegal fish pen, the creation of ferry boat station, and the alleged plan of Ayala Group of Companies and Maynilad to get water from the lake to supply the city.

“Ang lawa ang buhay at kabuhayan ng mga maralitang mangingisda,” Ka Jaime added. [The lake is the life and the source of livelihood of indigent fishermen.]
As their organization’s vision and mission states, “Strengthening fisher folk sector by organizing and capacity building” and “Uplifting the fisher folk sector by implementing livelihood project.”

‘The women’s groups’

UGMMARIZ members believe with women’s abilities so most of their partner organizations are women’s groups.

Women’s organizations that are part of UGMMARIZ are: Kababaihan sa Pagpapaunlad Muli ng Lawa at Yaman nito (KAPAMILYA), Bagong Ugnayan ng mga Kababaihan Alagaana ang Lawa (BUKAL), and Bungkos Lakas Kababaihan Laban sa Kahirapan (BULAKLAK).

Formed on March 12, 2003, KAPAMILYA aims to improve the level of livelihood and household of its members through different programs. They coordinate with different non-government organizations to guide and support them in their mission. Apart from this, they mobilize the community and hold monthly meetings to address various concerns of its members.

BUKAL, which focuses on women empowerment, was founded in 2010. The group is active with different community services around their community.

BULAKLAK, on the other hand, focuses on organizing sports festivals and feeding programs, and advocating for women’s rights. Started as a small support group in 2004, the group now has 81 members. It aims to build unity among the women inside their small community.

They also strive hard to provide better living for its members. The members join different livelihood programs like the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s cash-for-work program. In this program, the participating members are paid daily when they work street sweepers. Another project is the food terminal, where they sell different products in their area.

Having lives simple as it may seem, the people living in Brgy. Look still aims for the advancement and improvement of their community. For them, their lives will be perfect is they finally have a constant source of livelihood and appropriate place which they could call their own home.

Anna graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Mass Communication from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. She is fond of research and writing.