To mark the successful completion of the first phase of the Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) project and to map out strategies for its second phase, the Department of Agriculture – National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) conducted a “CRVA Completion Meeting and Planning Workshop” on July 22–24, 2025 in Quezon City.

The activity is part of the ongoing implementation of the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FISHCORE) project, which aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity and resilience of fisheries and coastal communities in the face of climate change.

The workshop featured the presentation of CRVA Phase I results and laid out the plans for Phase II implementation.

Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos, NFRDI Scientist V and CRVA project leader, opened the session by delivering the rationale and underscoring the vital role of vulnerability assessments in guiding sustainable fisheries management. “Assessing climate risks is essential to ensure that our fisheries remain productive and resilient amid the increasing impacts of climate change,” he emphasized.

Vanessa Mae Escaño, Senior Science Research Specialist, presented the CRVA concept and methodological framework, explaining its objectives and significance. This was followed by detailed presentations on the Phase I findings, including CRVA and cost-benefit analysis results, delivered by Science Research Specialists Emmanuel Sanchez and Gem Sammer Castro.

In the second part of the program, Escaño outlined the roadmap for CRVA Phase II, detailing the identified project sites, timeline, and objectives.

Participants then engaged in a collaborative planning workshop to craft key recommendations and strategies for strengthening CRVA implementation. Discussions covered partner engagement, capacity-building needs, and the integration of CRVA outputs into local planning processes.

Meanwhile, Elymi Ar-J Tunacao, FISHCORE Subcomponent 2 focal, highlighted the importance of translating CRVA results into actionable insights for local government units (LGUs) and community beneficiaries.

The workshop gathered representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), including the National Project Management Office (NPMO), Regional Project Implementation Units (RPIUs), and FMA Coordinating Units (FCUs), along with NFRDI-FISHCORE personnel.Bottom of Form

As the CRVA project advances to its next phase, NFRDI and its partners reaffirm their commitment to developing science-based tools and strategies to safeguard the future of the country’s fisheries and the communities whose livelihoods depend on them. ### (Vanessa Mae Escaño)