The Fishermen’s Village Project

The Fishermen’s Village is in a cove area called Labak, which is part of Barangay Balaytigue, Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines. It shares the barangay with Club Punta Fuego which is one of the most expensive if not the most expensive exclusive residential resorts in the Philippines.

The village is not visible from the main road being situated in a storm-prone, low lying area. No vehicles can access it except from the sea. It has about two hundred (200) families most of which are dependent on fishing for livelihood. The original settlers were transplanted from the Visayas in the 1920’s to serve as caretakers for the late ex-President Roxas’ family which owned a vast tract of land that includes what is now Club Punta Fuego. They no longer serve the family.

The social issues confronting the people are pretty much those that arise because of poverty: inadequate medical resources, no easy access to secondary and higher education (there is an elementary school located close by), inadequate food supplies, malnourishment, houses in disrepair, broken families among others. Although children are seen as generally happy, they lack the drive and ambition that many in their ages possess. Added to this is the insecurity of their stay in the area as several times in the recent past, there were attempts to move them out of the place in spite of being in possession of documents giving them “rights” to dwell.

There is a recognized leader in the person of Tatay Pedring who is now 75 years old. Though he holds no formal position, he is widely respected in the community. He was instrumental in opposing and defeating the recent plan to relocate the community elsewhere. It is with him that husband and wife volunteers Johnny and Nola Anza coordinate with for planning and implementing activities for the community’s benefit.

The Workers Johnny and Nola Anza

Johnny and Nola are veteran community volunteers who have worked with several communities since they started in 1991 but indicate that Fishermen’s Village may be the place they’ll stick it out with for a long time to come. They operate almost exclusively with donated funds and resources. Johnny was raised in a slum community in Manila and understands realities in poverty that are mere concepts to many. Nola comes from a prominent family that is big in politics and is a product of a top-notch university. Yet even while in the university she decided that her life would be dedicated to serving the poor.

The Programs
Johnny and Nola’s approach in community building is simply to listen and be accessible. To be in the attitude of genuinely caring about and loving the community and its people. To be humble, assuming the stance of servant-leadership.

The Anza’s started with a feeding program for the children. What was unique with the way this was done, the children have a participation in preparing the food. They are asked to be responsible to gather firewood to cook the meal and as the meal is cooking, the time is spent with them being taught songs and reading.

They now have a back-pack program providing school supplies for the children and a medicine program that provides basic medication to those in need.

Three houses have so far been helped in repairs and materials after these houses have been ravaged by typhoons.

They also have a scholarship program that gives money for students in high school and college to pay for some of their daily expenses like transportation fare.

They also bring youth to trips outside the community to gatherings with other youth groups with the intention of widening their horizons as to mind-set. Guest are brought into the community too to speak about experiences especially on paths that led to success.

Staff House and Multi Purpose Center
Two adjoining properties were donated to the Anzas which is now earmarked to be the site for a “Staff House” and “Multi Purpose Center” that would serve mainly as a gathering hall for meetings, a place to train people on livelihood skills, and space for an office. Blueprints have been made and ground breaking of the first property has been started.  We are currently raising funds for the construction. The cost is approximately $25,000 of which $5,000 has been raised.

Future Programs

Once the “Staff House” and “Multi Purpose Center” are completed, the future projects are as follows:

  • Mobile education program
  • Library
  • Computer Center
  • Education Sponsorhips