The seas continue to support our existence and serve as a link that binds humankind together. Among the millions of Filipinos that rely on the seas are 1.7 million fisherfolk who are among the poorest sectors of society. James Mata, 29, of Barangay Guiwanon, Bantayan, Cebu has been fishing in the waters of Bantayan Island for nine years now. Life as a fisherman has always been difficult, he says, but more so following the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in Bantayan Island. Luckily, Gawad Kalinga (GK) came to the picture and provided them with new boats through its Balangay project. She convinced the fisherfolk to establish the social enterprise Fishers & Changemakers, Inc. (FCI). She encouraged the residents to pool their finances together to raise capital for the social enterprise, thus making them shareholders.

Fabonan, E. III. (2017, March 20). Linked by the sea. The Philippine Star, p. B6.