After the activity, Atty. Estrella Baltazar, introduced the CHR’s mandate as Gender
Ombud and discussed the importance of focusing on a marginalized sector like
women fisherfolks. The participants were able to ask some questions and grasp
relevant information. It was also presented that the CHR is an independent
constitutional office created under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. It has
the primary role in investigating all forms of human rights in our country. It was also
emphasized that the commission has the authority for free legal assistance about
crimes and violence that abuses people’s rights most specially the poor ones who
cannot afford to pay legal advises. During the introduction of the CHR, participants
actively share responses on their observations and experiences during the Pandemic.
They were able to relate on example situations given by Atty. Baltazar.
The next part of the activity is the Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant
Interview on the Situation of Women Fisherfolks and Women and Girls at Risk of
Gender-based Violence and Trafficking during COVID-19 Pandemic and New Normal.
On the screen, questions were presented as followed in the Annex A Key Informant
Interview Guide for Women Fisherfolks.
The following are the data gathered from the interview. (Personal Interview. 11
September 2020)
1. Roles
Naujan Lake is the nearest body of water in Victoria. Shrimp, Tilapia, Biya,
Ayungin, Dalag (mudfish) and Hito (catfish) are the primary kinds of fish caught
for selling and earning money for everyday finances. As a typical housewife in the
fishing community the usual day for them (women fisherfolks) is to do house
chores like cooking and cleaning the house and attending to the needs of their
children especially the young ones. Mostly, male members of the family are the
ones to do the fishing activities as a source of income and food resources.
In their estimation, they earn around P 300 to P 500 daily. It was a good catch for
them if they have earned P500 in a day. In a monthly basis, other
All of them named themselves as women fisherfolks. They do activities related to
fishing and their way of earning is through the fishing industry as well. For these
reasons, they were identified by the community as people who earned through
fishing.
In the time of pandemic, many have said that nothing has change, they still need
to earn money whether they like it or not to be able to have food and earn money.
They continued their work as fisherfolks despite the pandemic but with proper
coordination through the Barangay and Municipal office.