Through the Social Transformation and Grassroots Empowerment (STAGE) program, the ISO is implementing Community Based Coastal Resources Management (CB-CRM) in two bay areas of Northern Lamon Bay and San Miguel Bay. The program implements grassroots action and community involvement and therefore makes use of organizing and empowerment as well as implementing resource management efforts such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Bantay Dagat.

STAGE IV (2007 – 2009) The current phase of the program focuses on the expansion of the program activities from municipal to baywide coverage in Northern Lamon Bay and San Miguel Bay. This is intended to produce broader impact by forming a strong lobby group from the municipal fishers of these areas and conducting resource management on a larger scale thus ensuring sustainability and food security. The program will also strengthen local fisher organizations (FOs) in both bay areas thusly empowering these marginalized sectors.

Project Objectives

• Increase control and access of the local fishers of Northern Lamon Bay and San Miguel Bay to their fisheries.

• Establish and maintain resource management systems such as the Marine Protected Areas to protect, conserve and enhance marine resources and the operation of Fish Wardens

• Provide Livelihood Support to supplement the fishing activities of municipal fishers

• Enhance the community's ability to manage their resources as well as the concern for their environment through capability building activities.

• Build partnerships with the LGU, MFARMC and the communitites along San Miguel Bay.