Sumisip, Basilan — The coastal municipalities of Sumisip, Lantawan, and Tipo-Tipo have been identified as key areas for the Model Lives Project or Modelling Livelihood Solutions for Coastal Communities in Basilan, a joint initiative co-funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines.

Local government officials, community representatives, and stakeholders from the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), EU, and UNDP convened in Sumisip for the Project’s Stakeholder Engagement Meeting. The session marked a crucial step in shaping livelihood strategies that empower fisherfolk communities and promote sustainable fishery practices.

The Model Lives Project was launched in January 2025 and is set to run until June 2026. The initiative aims to offer a range of livelihood options tailored to the unique needs of coastal communities. These include aquaculture and mariculture activities such as fish, seaweed, and shellfish farming; value-adding processes like fish preservation and product development for local markets; eco-tourism ventures such as mangrove boardwalks; and handicraft-making using marine materials. The project also supports alternative income sources, such as boat repair services, and strengthens post-harvest systems through initiatives like ice production facilities and transport support, enabling fisherfolk to bring their catch to market more efficiently. 

Despite its rich natural resources, BARMM remains one of the poorest regions in the country, with Basilan’s poverty incidence among families reaching 66.3% in 2018 and 42.5% in 2021. The region also records the highest food insecurity rate in the Philippines, with 84% of households experiencing food access challenges. Farmers and fisherfolk—often among the most vulnerable sectors—are at the heart of this crisis.

In her remarks, Myrto Christofidou, Programme Officer of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, underscored the transformative potential of the project by saying that: “Through the Model Lives Project’s collaborative approach with LGUs, ministries, and local communities, we see a viable pathway toward addressing long-standing development challenges. With its focus on diversified and sustainable livelihoods and coastal resource protection, we are optimistic that the project will create meaningful and lasting change.”

Argie J. Sarco, Provincial Director of MTIT, through his representative, echoed this sentiment. In his message, he noted that “(MTIT) hopes that this initiative improves the poverty situation of the fishing communities in Sumisip, Lantawan, and Tipo-Tipo, and that the Model Lives Project will foster sustainable and inclusive growth.”

A representative from MENRE also expressed optimism that the project would effectively address both livelihood needs and pressing environmental concerns in the targeted areas.

Through the Model Lives Project’s community-driven approach, livelihood opportunities are identified by the communities themselves based on their understanding of their economic conditions. This ensures that local voices lead the planning and decision-making, placing them in control of their development journey in the coastal areas of Basilan. [E]