People's Initiative for Learning and Community Development (PILCD)

27/09/2026

Mangrove Seedling Outplanting in Barangay Tomaligues, Calbayog City, Samar

580 Mangrove seedlings were outplanted in Barangay Tomaligues, Calbayog City through the active participation of the Tomaligues Women’s Group, Tomaligues Active Response Youth Organization, Tomaligues Fisherfolk Association (KATOMAN), and Barangay Tomaligues LGU officials.

The activity was conducted in partnership with the Samar State University – Center for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (SSU-CFARRD), together with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the City Agriculture Office (CAO) of Calbayog City.

This collaborative effort supports mangrove rehabilitation, coastal ecosystem protection, and community resilience by engaging local communities in the restoration and protection of vital coastal ecosystems.
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Project activity supported by ASB South and South-East Asia and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

08/09/2026

From Tradition to innovation - toward a more sustainable future for mussel culture.

In cooperation with the Pangdan Fisherfolk Association, Samar State University (SSU), and the Catbalogan City Agriculture Office.

Project supported by ASB South and South-East Asia and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

08/09/2026

06/08/2026

29/07/2026

A two-day Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) Workshop was successfully conducted on July 28–29, 2026, at Samar State University (SSU) in Catbalogan City, Samar, in partnership with Samar State University (SSU) - Center for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (CFARRD), and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC).

The workshop brought together representatives from local government units, national government agencies, fisherfolk organizations, women's groups, persons with disabilities, youth, civil society organizations, and the academe.

Over the two-day workshop, participants explored the concepts and principles of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and their significance in addressing climate change challenges. Through group exercises, participants applied the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-Based Solutions to develop potential NbS strategies and project ideas tailored to their geographical, social, economic, and organizational contexts.

The workshop also provided a valuable platform for participants to exchange experiences, strengthen partnerships, and identify context-specific actions for advancing Nature-Based Solutions in their respective communities.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the local government units of Calbayog City, Catbalogan City, and the municipalities of Hinabangan, Matuguinao, and Motiong through their Planning and Development Offices, Agriculture Offices, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, Environment and Natural Resources Offices, Youth Development Offices, and Persons with Disability Affairs Office. Representatives from the Barangay Local Government Units of Buluan and Mombon also participated in the workshop.

Representatives from the Provincial Government of Samar participated through the Provincial Fishery Office, Provincial Agriculture Office, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office.

National government agencies represented included the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)–Samar, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Provincial Office, and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

The workshop also brought together representatives from civil society organizations, including Alyansa Samarnon, Katig-uban han Kababayen-an ha Samar, Inc. (KKSI), and the Samar Provincial Chapter of the Philippine Red Cross.

Participating fisherfolk organizations included the Bagongon Fisherfolk Association, Pangdan Fisherfolk Association, Tomaligues Fisherfolk Association (KATUMAN), and the Catbalogan Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC).

Women's organizations represented included the Bagongon Women's Association, Mombon Women's Association, and BOKASI.

The academe was represented by faculty and staff from Samar State University's Main and Mercedes Campuses, including the Center for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (CFARRD) and the Eastern Visayas Center for Crustacean Research and Development (EVCCRD).

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Project activity supported by ASB South and South-East Asia and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

26/07/2026

Mangroves are critical ecosystems that protect coastlines, support marine biodiversity, sustain local livelihoods, and help combat climate change by storing large amounts of carbon.

Through our Mangrove Conservation and Rehabilitation Project in Barangay Tomaligues, Calbayog City, we are working with the Barangay LGU of Tomaligues, Tomaligues Fisherfolk Association (KATUMAN), Tomaligues Sangguniang Kabataan, the Tomaligues Youth Organization, the Calbayog City Agriculture Office and the Calbayog City Environment Office, with technical guidance from the Center for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (CFARRD) of Samar State University (SSU), to restore and protect these vital ecosystems.


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Project activity supported by ASB South and South-East Asia and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

25/07/2026

Two batches of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Workshop was successfully conducted from July 20-23, 2026 in La Trinidad, Benguet, in partnership with the Municipal Local Government Unit of La Trinidad, led by its Population and Development Office.

The workshop brought together representatives from various municipal offices and partner agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Barangay Officials, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), VAWC personnel, Senior Citizens' associations, Women's Organizations, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).

Workshop participants deepened their understanding of gender equality, disability inclusion, social inclusion, and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) while gaining practical tools to integrate GEDSI into their respective programs and services. As a key output, participating offices and organizations developed action plans to institutionalize inclusive practices - reinforcing their commitment to more equitable, accessible, and responsive local governance.



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Project activity supported by ASB South and South-East Asia and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

22/05/2026

Nature is our strongest ally, and protecting it is essential for our shared future. 🌍🌿

Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, with ecosystems facing growing pressures from climate change, pollution, overexploitation, invasive species and urbanisation. Yet these living systems sustain all life on Earth.

Across its sites, and , UNESCO works with communities, scientists, Indigenous Peoples and partners to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems and strengthen the resilience of both nature and people.

This is a call to act: to rethink our relationship with nature and help restore balance for a more sustainable world.

Learn more: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/biological-diversity

29/04/2026

The three- day training workshop on Basic Emergency Response was successfully conducted in partnership with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and PILCD. The activity was designed not only to build essential emergency response skills, but also to emphasize the abilities of persons with disability rather than their limitations.

Throughout the training, participants learned practical skills such as bandaging techniques, CPR and Basic Life Support. While the representatives from Philippine National Police (PNP) shared important legal processes on how persons with disability can seek help and protection if they become victims, ensuring that participants are aware of their rights and proper procedures. And the Bureau of Fire (BFP) provided lectures and hands-on demonstrations on fire safety, prevention and emergency response during house/ community fires.

This initiative reflects the strong collaboration among partner agencies and their shared commitment to empowering persons with disabilities in building a more prepared and inclusive community.

Special thanks to the support and participation of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) project implementer, and to the Deaf Club of Calbayog and to our Sign Language Interpreter Ms. Cris Arvy Nazareno and to all members and officers of the Association of Persons with Disability from different barangays of Calbayog City.

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Project activity supported by ASB South and South-East Asia and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)