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Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries

in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication

Advancing the implementation of the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA SSF) in the Philippines

©FAO/Rebecca Andong

30/09/2025

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with The Philippines - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) organized a Partnership Dialogue with National Government Agencies in support of advancing the implementation of the National Plan of Action for Small Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF). The partnership dialogue, held in North EDSA Quezon City, aimed at: (i) providing an overview and present updates in the NPOA-SSF implementation and strengthen awareness raising to encourage support to implementation; (ii) promoting buy-in and support by various national government agencies and uptake in national policies (plans and programs); and (iii) soliciting strategic advice on and technical support to NPOA-SSF implementation, including the development of NPOA-SSF monitoring and evaluation framework and relevant indicators. The event was attended by 34 participants from national government agencies and FAO Philippines. 

The partnership dialogue was followed by the “Workshop on the Development of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework” aimed to review the M&E working sheet of the NPOA-SSF, and to develop an updated M&E framework for the Philippines, particularly, to adopt a results-based M&E based on the targets and performance indicators of the NPOA SSF. 

The two-day M&E workshop was attended by 34 participants 26 of whom are representatives from national government agencies*. Key outputs included the M&E framework to support and guide the NPOA -SSF implementation with agreed targets and performance indicators for the five thematic areas to support NPOA-SSF implementation. FAO Philippines have engaged an M&E Specialist to lead the development of the results-based framework. 

The NPOA-SSF in The Philippines 

The NPOA-SSF was launched in October 2024 by BFAR in partnership with FAO Philippines. The development of the NPOA-SSF followed a participatory approach as recommended by the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines). The development of this document was considered a very important milestone for the fishers and fish workers of the country. 

During the launching event of the Philippines NPOA-SSF, the FAOR in the Philippines, Dr. Lionel Dabaddie, highlighted in his message, “Our next goal entails that we make sure that this does not remain a plan but goes into implementation. The challenges facing small-scale fisheries are varied and complex but with the right partnerships, the right investments, the commitment of all stakeholders, and the framework provided by the NPOA-SSF, I am confident we have everything at our disposal to overcome these challenges.” 

The National Government Agencies partnership dialogue and development of the results-based M&E framework are part of the efforts to advance the NPOA-SSF implementation in the country. 

 

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